10 Best Things To Do In Daejeon, A Hidden Gem Near Seoul Where You Can Skip The Crowds
Maybe it's their thriving entertainment scene, but South Korea has Singaporeans in a chokehold when it comes to travel. Nearly all of us have holidayed there at least once, and some are drawn back for more every year and have delved into just about everything in Seoul, Busan and Jeju. If you're in the latter group, it must have crossed your mind to explore other cities in the country. One under-the-radar city to bookmark for your future Korea trip is Daejeon.
Located an hour away from Seoul by KTX, Daejeon is one of the largest cities in the country. It offers a similar experience to Seoul - cafes, shopping and cultural attractions - but without the jostling crowd of tourists.
Here are our picks of the 10 best things to do in Daejeon:
P.S.: As Google Maps can be a little wonky when in South Korea, we recommend using the Naver Map app (App Store | Google Play) to navigate and bookmark attractions. This article contains Naver Map links for your convenience!
#1 Travel Back In Time At Yetteo Folk Museum
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Founded in 2001, Yetto Folk Museum was created to preserve and showcase traditional Korean culture. The actual "museum" part of its name is tucked away in a small traditional house. The real star of this attraction, arguably, is the stunning grounds surrounding the museum, which has been lovingly constructed to resemble a quaint little village from ancient times.
Narrow winding pathways are flanked by greens and illuminated by lanterns and lamps. Every turn leads you to a restaurant fashioned as an ancient house, each with distinct architectural styles. The grounds is also peppered with stone artefacts and even has a bonfire area where you can enjoy the warm fire and soothing sounds of a waterwheel. All of this comes together for a wonderfully eclectic and lived-in look that creates a time travel-like experience.
The food measured up to the aesthetic of the place too! The Vegetarian Bibimbap (13,000 won, ~SGD13) had a comforting, homemade taste that was satisfying even for my meat-eating self. It came with a generous portion of veggies and mushrooms on a bed of fluffy rice. Mixed in with the gochujang sauce, which packed a serious punch of spicy, tangy, smoky and savoury flavours, this dish was scrumptious.
Other dishes to look forward to include grilled beef ribs, seafood soup and mushroom bulgolgi.
#2 Enjoy A Romantic Sunset Dinner On The Expo Bridge
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
One of the most popular tourist spots in Daejeon, the Expo Bridge is especially beautiful at dusk. Think panoramic views of the river, surroundings bathed in romantic light, and seagulls flying into the sunset.
Each autumn, part of this bridge will be transformed into a dreamy dining area as part of the Daejeon International Wine Expo (대전 국제 와인 EXPO). It's very apt as Daejeon is the land of wine, where winemaking was pioneered. This Sunset Wine Dining experience is an exclusive 2-day event. Diners will feast on an elaborate 4-course meal paired with award-winning wines from the previous year's Wine Expo contest.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
At other times of the year, you could explore attractions like the Hanbit Tower in Daejeon Expo Science Park. This towering building is free to visit. At the top is a doughnut-shaped viewing point with pleasing curved windows offering unobstructed views of the cityscape. Grab a drink and snack at the cafe and enjoy the serene ambience.
Expo Science Park (엑스포과학공원)
Address: 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea (대전 유성구 대덕대로 480)
Daejeon International Wind Expo Website | Naver Map
#3 Marvel At Stunning Night Lights at Night Universe @ Daejeon O-World
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Fancy a large, outdoor theme park version of Singapore's FUTURE WORLD @ ArtScience Museum? Well, that's basically what Night Universe is. This digital media art theme park is a part of Daejeon O-World, which also has a zoo and rides.
An Instagrammer's paradise, this sprawling park has photo spots everywhere you turn. Expect colourful lights illuminating an expansive garden, a magical-looking tunnel, interactive digital art across a large courtyard, and a water & light show.
#4 Go On A Shopping Spree at Euneungjeongi Culture Street
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Known as the Myeongdong shopping district of Daejeon, Euneungjeongi Culture Street is where the cool kids hang out for some retail therapy and good food. You'll find everything from street style fashion and cute accessories to restaurants and aesthetic cafes. The atmosphere is invigorating, with brightly coloured and neon-lit signs competing for attention as well as a giant LED screen ceiling.
It's conveniently located above Jungangno station, which boasts a massive, almost maze-like shopping centre. When you need respite from the hot or cold weather but are not ready to put a pause on shopping time, simply pop underground!
#5 Bask In The Tranquil Daecheongho Lake
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
A man-made lake constructed in 1980, Daecheongho Lake oozes countryside wholesomeness and is the perfect relaxing stop in your itinerary. Plan your visit on a weekday, when the space will be fairly empty and feel like a secret attraction!
Whether you're walking along the trails or sitting at a pyeong sang (low bench), the views are splendid and there's a sense of peacefulness from the picturesque waters, reed fields and mountains. There are also plenty of photo ops that blend in tastefully with the natural surroundings, like minimalist benches and a pagoda viewing point.
It's no wonder that this lake is a popular date spot and has even been used as a shooting location for several K-dramas.
Daecheongho Lake (대청호)
Address: Dong-gu, Daejeon / Munui-myeon, Chungcheongbuk-do (대전광역시 동구 / 충청북도 문의면)
Naver Map
#6 Go Cafe-Hopping at Soje-dong Cafe Street
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
South Korea is the land of trendy cafes after all, so you'll find not shortage of them in Daejeon too. Whether you're planning a whole day of cafe-hopping or prefer settling in one cosy cafe, head to Soje-dong cafe street. A bamboo-covered tea house, retro American diner-inspired joint, romantic cottage-like schnitzel restaurant - this street has it all.
The neighbourhood has an old-world charm as the buildings kept much of the traditional features of the Railway Village built in the 1920s. Adding a cool contrast are modern features like vibrant murals along the alleyways.
Soje-dong Cafe Street (소제동 카페거리)
Address: Soje-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon (대전 동구 수향길 89 림춘, 11-minute walk from Daejeon Station)
Naver Map
#7 Shop For Souvenirs At The Michelin-Starred Sungsimdang Bakery
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
The pride of Daejeon, Sungsimdang Bakery had humble beginnings in 1956 as a small steamed bread shop, and now has quite the reputation. People from all over South Korea travel to the city just for a taste of their delicious bakes. This heritage bakery has such a cult following that there's even a dedicated store offering all kinds of adorable Sungsimdang-themed merchandise from stickers to plush toys.
The store has a retro, European-style design but the bread and other baked goods have a distinctive Korean touch. There's such an impressive variety from whole loaves of bread and pastries to cakes, cookies and traditional Korean treats.
Some signatures to try and bring home as souvenirs are the Pure Madeleines, fluffy and fragrant cakes with two beans, perfectly moist and subtly sweet Yakgwa, and Bomun Mountain Echo, a kouign amann-like pastry with gold rum syrup on each layer of bread that's rolled up into a shape of a mountain.
#8 Pamper Yourself With Beauty & Wellness Treatments
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
The iconic bakery aside, another reason people flock to Daejeon is its beauty and wellness treatments. The city is known for being at the forefront of beauty technology, offering the most sophisticated treatments to address concerns from head to toe, and at competitive prices to boot. The industry is tourist-friendly too, and there will English translators to ensure smooth communication.
Fancy a luxurious scalp treatment? There's the upscale scalp care salon Harudupi (하루두피). Up for something on the more invasive side? There are plenty of clinics to choose from including Shinebeam Clinic (샤인빔의원), which specialises in skincare, laser procedures, filler and botox.
Even if you're looking for something to address a very specific beauty or wellness concern, you'll probably find it in Daejeon. Take Phil Hospital of Korean Medicine (필한방병원) for instance. Blending Korean and Western medicine, this hospital specialises in non-surgical spine and joint treatments, herbal medicine treatment and integrated immunology.
#9 Soak Your Feet At The Free Public Yuseong Hot Spring
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
At the centre of Daejeon is a hidden gem - a natural hot spring that's completely free for the public to visit. There are two foot baths with 100% hot spring water that stretches along the road. Sit by the edges and let your feet have a well-deserved soak, or take a walk through it to stimulate the soles of your feet on the stones.
The entire space is well-maintained and thoughtfully designed with features like an area to wash your feet before dipping them in the hot spring, and even a high speed dryer that blasts air to dry your feet in seconds.
Yuseong Hot Spring (유성온천지구)
Address: 552-5 Bongmyeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (대전광역시 유성구 봉명동)
Opening hours: 7am – 11pm
Naver Map
#10 Take A Therapeutic Walk Through The Gyejoksan Red Clay Trail
Photo from Korea Tourism Organization
First opened in 2006 as South Korea's first eco-healing barefoot walking trail, Gyejoksan Red Clay Trail is a 14.5-kilometre-long path covered in red clay and lined with pine needles. The idea is to kick off your shoes and walk on the soft clay barefoot!
Besides the sensory play and fun "muddy" factor, walking on clay stimulates the feet which is said to have positive health benefits and a stress-relieving effect.
Every year in May, the Gyejoksan Mountain Barefoot Festa takes place, where people gather for a marathon and to enjoy local cultural and art events.
Gyejoksan Mountain Red Clay Trail (계족산 황톳길)
Address: San 85, Jang-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon (대전광역시 대덕구 장동 산85)
Naver Map
Bonus: Take a Day Trip To Buyeo
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Daejeon's central location makes it a prime spot to venture to other cities such as Buyeo, a rural gem located just an hour away by train or car.
A must-visit spot to immersive yourself is Baekje culture is Baekje Cultural Land (tickets: 6000 won/adult, ~SGD6), the largest history-themed park in Korea. The sprawling area has several recreations of palaces, pagodas and other ancient monuments.
Although everything is newly constructed, the space is no less imposing or glorious. Wandering around the maze-like attraction, especially on a weekday when there are barely any other visitors, you'd forget it's a theme park and feel like you're lost in an abandoned historic site. It also allows something that actual palaces don't - free rein to climb up the imperial seat and take your place on the throne. Put on traditional Korean outfits (it's free) to complete the full royal experience.
Besides the historic attractions, Buyeo is the only place in South Korea that offers free-flying hot air balloon rides thanks to its low mountain terrains.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Baekje Cultural Land
Address: 충남 부여군 규암면 백제문로 455 백제문화단지
Naver Map
Heading to Seoul, too? Here are some places to visit there:
- NUDAKE Sinsa: Cafe In Gangnam With Onigiri-Shaped Pastries & Giant Croissant Sculptures
- Korean Streetwear Brand "NERDY" Opens Flagship Store With Giant Cats
- Kiki's Delivery Service-Themed Koriko Cafe
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