Daejeon Travel Guide

Daejeon is the epicentre of South Korean innovation, and this high-tech city has a multitude of modern attractions. The central tech hub is Daejeon Expo Science Park, home to cutting-edge landmarks and museums. Don’t miss the world-renowned National Science Museum, the Hanbit Tower observation deck, or the iconic Expo Bridge, which glimmers in multicoloured neon once the sun goes down. To the west, the KIGAM Geological Museum is a small family-friendly space full of dinosaur bones and prehistoric fossils.

Daejeon earned its reputation as a high-tech, forward-thinking city during Expo ’93. The 3-month international exhibition showcased South Korea’s technological prowess and commitment to sustainable development. Daejeon Expo Science Park opened a year later to commemorate the historic event.

To reacquaint yourself with nature, head to the Hanbat Arboretum. This thickly forested urban parkland is ram-packed with pristine ponds and blooming gardens, perfect for a stroll.

To the east, Gyejoksan Mountain has a scenic 15 km hiking trail affording breathtaking city views. Most locals tackle the route barefoot as the soft red clay is said to be good for your health. South of town, the Jangtaesan Recreational Forest has elevated walkways amid towering metasequoia trees. Afterwards, visit the Yuseong Hot Spring to soak those trail-worn feet.

Gungdong Rodeo Street is the city’s premier dining hub. Located near the KAIST University, the neon-lit strip attracts a steady stream of students who feast in its dizzying array of restaurants and cafés. Travellers coming from Seoul may be reminded of Itaewon, the capital’s main tourist and expatriate enclave.

The youthful demographic keeps prices low, making it an enticing dining option for shoestring travellers. Once you’ve filled up on tasty Korean or Chinese fare, you’ll find a plethora of boutique shops to peruse. Fancy a tipple? The Ranch Pub does hoppy craft brews.

The little ones will adore Daejeon O-World, a sprawling amusement park with several thematic sections to explore. As the biggest theme park in central South Korea, the 682,830-square-metre plot takes a full day to day to explore (allow half a day for the highlights). If possible, time your visit in spring when the cherry blossoms add even more colour to the pastel-hued Flower Land.

Joy Land has a vast selection of adrenaline-pumping rides, from rollercoasters to water slides and the terrifying Giant Drop. Should you fancy stretching your legs, there’s a scenic 5.5-km hiking trail snaking through a 30-hectare forest. Scheduled kid-friendly performances take place at the Rainbow Stage.

While Daejeon can’t match the culinary scene in Seoul, you’ll find a selection of superb eateries scattered around the city. To sample the local cuisine, make a beeline for Seonhwa-dong Speciality Food Street. This authentic, 40-year-old dining district does all the best Daejeon delicacies, from Korean bouillabaisse to stir-fried tofu.

Daeheung-dong Noodle Soup Alley is your best bet for a steamy bowl of kalguksu (Korean-style noodle soup). The hearty dish became a local staple when Daejeon Station was a flour distribution centre for US Aid. If you fancy adding surf clams to your wheat flour noodles, pop into Oh-ssi Kalguksu. Or, if spicy noodles with cockles tempt the palate, give Jogijong-ui Hyangmigak a go.

The lively Daejeon Sky Road is the city’s premier shopping strip. Smothered in large LCD screens, the futuristic Times Square-like street becomes a neon-lit wonderland at night. Hit Jungang Market to browse a bewildering collection of foodstuffs and household wares. This enormous, semi-enclosed market stocks the usual international brands plus second-hand goods.

Hyundai Premium Outlet Daejeon is the largest shopping mall in town, boasting a vast ensemble of fashion outlets and homeware stores. Another massive modern mall is Expo Core, where you’ll find cosmetics, electronics, and more.

Daejeon has decent nightlife for a city of its size – and it’s not all about late-night drinking either. Dunsan-dong, or the “new” downtown, has a string of happening watering holes and western-style dance clubs. Yuseong is your best bet for a bar crawl. Try J Rock or Watermelon Sugar if you want to hang out with the expat English-teaching crowd.

It’s worth wandering across the Mokcheokgyo Bridge, a brightly-lit structure spanning the Daejeon River. You could also hike up an easy trail to the Bomunsan Observatory to enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape.

The 14.5-km Gyejoksan Red Clay Trail is Daejeon’s premier barefoot walking route. Stash your shoes in your backpack and let the soft clay and pine needles massage your feet. For sweeping city views, hit the 8-km Mt. Sikjangsan Forest Trail or climb to the Bomunsan Observatory. The Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is a great place to meander among metasequoia and Ginko trees.

Ppuri Park is one of the most family-friendly open spaces for its intriguing sculptures and easy walking trails. Visit the UAM Historical Park for a taste of old-world Korea or the Daedong Sky Park for a photo-op with its iconic embossed windmill.