I took a trip to Daejeon for the first time. I did some hiking on Daedunsan and Gyeryongsan the first and third days, and explored parts of Daejeon and the nearby lake on other days.
DAY 2 OF 4-DAY TRIP to Daejeon
On the second day I took a bus to the Daejeon science and expo area in the north west of Daejeon. I walked about twenty minutes to Hanbat Arboretum (한밭수목원), part of the huge Daejeon Expo park. It was a nice park with plenty of paths, plants and water features. While on my way and at various points on the way, I texted the hostel’s owner and got an extra night’s stay and switched to a private room.
Across from the park over Expo Bridge footbridge (엑스포다리) was the Expo Science Park (엑스포 과학공원한빛탑). I didn’t go to the main science museum but did go up the tower. There was a university exhibition at the top called Metadata. Free to get in and quite interesting mix of science and art. Most the displays had a duel element where you view the piece through an app and it animates.
I left this area and took a bus further west to find a coffee shop I’d seen in Instagram called Coffee Interview. (Instagram of multiple locations). On the way, it started to rain hard so I took refuge under a bridge and called Romana. I then made a dash for the coffee shop. It’s a modern set of buildings near the river. It’s al glass and a wood with garden areas and a walkway. I got myself a coffee and muffin and read for a little bit.
Once the rain had stopped, I decided go to Yuseong oncheonchigu (유성온천지구), an outdoor foot spa a friend had recommended (thanks Douglas!). I walked for about 30 minutes(?), then came across a 100 or 200 metre stretch of the city with, indeed, an outdoor foot spa. And it was free! And warm! You clean your feet in the taps, then just sit and relax. It was popular with middle-aged and older Daejeon residents who were happily sitting and nattering. It also seemed to attract a few office workers on their break. All in all, a pretty cool experience.
My next stop was what I thought would be a mural village and hilltop park; technically it was but I didn’t really find much of interest. There was a good view from the hill and it’s called Daedong Skypark (대동하늘공원). Check this video. I can’t remember the name of the mural village that’s on the way; I think lot’s of areas in Korea have taken on board this idea of mural villages to try and revitalise areas in different cities, Sometimes it has the desired effect (Gamcheon in Busan, Ihwa-dong in Seoul), but it doesn’t always pan out into something special for the locals.
I was getting tired by this point and needed to prepare for my Gyeryongsan hike tomorrow. I’d been on my feet for many hours now! I walked back to Daejeon towards the station then some more through the entertainment and shopping areas until I finally got back. I went into my new private room. Dinner tonight was Vietnamese rice. I *think I also checked out a hiking shop for some gear, but that might have been later on my trip. I did, however, visit either Paris Baguette and/or Tour Le Jour for food for my hike.
Places visited this trip (click the ‘door’ icon to see a list):