Daejeon
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Daejeon (대전, 大田, formerly Taejon) is the capital of South Chungcheong province and the fifth-largest city in South Korea.
[edit] Understand
Daejeon municipal government already dubs itself "a core city of research and development...the cradle of Korea's cutting-edge science sector." [1] And boasts of KAIST University "Korea’s [sic] top science educational organization" in addition to 232 research and education institutes [2] [3] Needless to say, ever since the Taejeon Expo '93 they've been that much closer to manifesting their scientific claims.
[edit] Information
There is lots of information to be found on Daejeon on the web or once you arrive in the city. To pick up a map you can visit the information desk in EXPO Park or in Daejeon Station. However, the manager at the Daejeon International Community Center - a local non-profit (DICC) might have more information, speak better English and keep better hours (9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tu-F & 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. than these tourist information centers. The DICC can be found across the street from the KTX train station, metro/underground take the #2 exit into the beginning underground shopping area, look for the #2 exit on your left, take the stairs on your left. The DICC will be on your right within 10m, located on the fourth floor with signs in English. For information on local events visit [www.socius.or.kr] socius, a foreigner designed website for experiencing both Expat and Korean culture (both current events and general information stickies) in Daejeon. The site owner and socius members collaborated to create a local google map with some of the places to eat, shop, tour, etc.; more than you'll be able to experience during a week-long vacation in Daejeon.
[edit] Orientation
Daejeon is separated into five gu (구), or districts, all of which maintain their own tourist website in english. Dunsan is not a gu, but is the central business district and where you will find the most shopping and restaurants. The area is essentially served by three stops on the metro; City Hall, Government Complex and Galma stops 111, 112, 113 respectively. For a more upscale shopping and accomodations head over to Yuseong-gu, which is the northwest part of the city, and is serviced by the Yuseong-spa metro stop.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By Plane
[edit] Cheongju Airport
While not conveniently close nor having international flights apart from China and Taiwan, Cheongju Airport technically services Daejeon and is best served for anyone arriving from Jeju or one of those flights from China or Taiwan. Flights to Jeju are very quick and reasonably priced if flying on Jeju Air, going for as low as 40,000 Won with a flight time less than two hours.
[edit] By train
Daejeon lies on the main train line connecting Seoul and Busan. There are two main train stations Daejeon and Seo-Daejeon Station. Both are served by the KTX, the korean speed rail. It takes from 50 minutes from Seoul to Daejeon. 100 minutes from Daejon to Busan. Conventional trains that take almost twice as much operates frequently as well at the lower price. To add to the confusion, there are 3 bus terminals, and several pick up stops for the airport bus express.
[edit] By bus
There are several bus terminuses leading out of town. Going to Gongju to see the Beakje tombs costs 3500W each way. Dongbu inter city bus terminal connects to major cities in South and North Chungcheong province. Dongbu express bus terminal connects to major cities in South Korea via express way. Both of them are located in Yongjeon-dong. Seo-bu bus terminal in Yucheong-dong, connects to western regions of South Chungcheong provice such as Nonsan, Buyeo, Daecheon etc. Yuseong bus terminal located in Bongmyeong-dong connects to northern regions of South Chungcheong province such as Gongju, Yesan, Dangjin, Cheonan etc. There are two bus stop around government complex, some of express buses depart from Dongbu and Yuseong stop by as well as the bus destined for Incheon airport.
[edit] Get around
For non tourists [as far as I know], there's a Hana bank rechargable transportation card, which offers free transfers, when you open an account at Hana bank, your smart bank card can be charged with money to be used on busses, taxis. Transportation cards are also available at manned booths within the metro stops which run 2500 Won and are rechargeable at the station or at many GS 25 locations. Unfortunately with only one subway line, which bisects the city and runs southeast from the northwest corner, only central Daejeon, old downtown (Daejeon station area) and a handful of sites are convenient to reach solely by metro.
[edit] By Bus
The tour bus service is extensive, but a bit slow. more information, can be found here [[4]]]]. This is a direct link to the bus map [[5]]
[edit] By metro
Daejeon's first metro line opened in March 2006, connecting Daejeon Station to both the western and eastern parts of the city. The subway stations are fed by buses, and the fare is 1000 or 1100 Won a ride.
[edit][add listing] See
Daejeon Station, a walk around the alleyways straight across from the station will offer you Ginseng stores and traditional medicine stores. It's across the street from the market [see buy].
[edit][add listing] Do
Expoland is a small amusement park located in central Daejeon. The rivers flood plain is where a lot of Expat action takes place on the weekends, and makes for a nice stroll.
- Byunguh Benedict YU (CNU Architectural Limited), 251-5 Daeheung-dong, Jung-gu, ☎ 010-3656-1456, [6]. Architecture in Daejeon edit
Hike
- Any, or all, of five mountains designated by Daejeon tourism amongst the city's eight most popular sites:
- Mt. Sikjangsan (southeast)
- Mt. Bomunsan (south)
- Mt. Gubongsan (southwest)
- Mt. Jangtaensan (south)
- Mt. Gyejoksan (northeast)
Daejeon Observatory where you can observe the sun during the day or any number of celestial bodies at night. Located west of Expo park, take the 604 bus to the observatory stop. Open from 2-10 p.m., closed Mondays and the day following a national holiday.
[edit][add listing] Buy
As in most of Asia, the market is located by the train station; There's a Homever, as well as a Costco's by Seodaejeon station. Costco offers O.K. discounted prices, and hard to find goods from home, and with a subscription for 35k, or your card from home it can solve dry good food purchasing for a month or more in a single trip. E Mart is relatively ubiquitous, and a bit dear too. It does however offer a variety of basic house goods for settling into a new home, as well as basic general produce [both fresh and dry], which are marginally cheaper than the prices in most corner stores, as well as offering it all in one stop. The market by Daejeon Station is the general market, really nothing to write home about as far as appearances, the specializating stores are excellent, and you can get plants [from seeds to pots] which is not easy to come by. Some household goods, and REALLY cheap clothes are on offer, too.
For cool summer shopping and warm winter shopping head underground. Underground shopping can be found connected to metro stops at Daejeon Station and Jungang-no, stops 104 & 105 respectively, on line 1.
Also department store shopping is popular for the more affluent of Daejeon at Timeworld Galleria, Lotte Department Store and CGV; each of which also house a movie theater on its top floor.
Most electronic needs can be found at TechnoWorld, which is close to KBS tower.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There is a Vietnamese restaurant north of Dusan-dong E-Mart about one kilometer on the northwest corner. It is opposite the Primus theater, which you should be able to use as a landmark. The menus have pictures and about 75% of the entrées have a name written in English (not romanized Hangul), the entrées run fairly cheap for foreign food, at less than 10,000 won and many hot Phở for around 5,000 won. A nice experience with complimentary tea as well.
For excellent Indian food, a new restaurant called "Indy" just opened up diagonally across from the E-Mart in Dunsan Dong. The service is kind of on the slow side and a bit expensive, but it's worth it in the end. The curry dishes are the best bets because they come with free rice or naan. The naan is a superb choice. To get there, all you have to do is say "Dunsan-dong E-Mart" to a cab driver. It's located on the Southeast corner of the intersection. Look for a T.G.I.F. and a Hanbok Store. If you're trying to get there via subway, get off at Government Complex Station. If you're getting there by bus, the 185, 215, and 115 all drive by it.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Budget Jimjillbang's are not ubiquitous, but they are there. The One by KBS in Mannyeon-dong charges 7000 W at night, but looks like a disney theme park. They have a cave, a "normal" sleeping room as well as a really cool spot where you sleep in "nature" with reeds and bird tweets. Past the normal things, they have a restaurant, as well as drink bar, a facial and hair cut, and ice and oxygen rooms. All are charged to the key and payable on the way out. Another Jimjillbang is available in Rodeo Town.
A Youth Hostel has dorm beds for 7000-8000 won per night. It is located in southern Yuseong, approximately a 10 minute walk south from Hanbat Nat'l University or you can take the 102, 103, 104 or 113 bus to its western termination and then walk east for its approximate location.
- From Daejeon Station, just talk behind the station to the Deajeon bus terminal and wait for the 102 bus and take it to the very end to the western terminal. You will then take the left fork and going away from the terminal, which is adjacent to the restaurant buildings, and you will see a left turn, about 250m, which leads to a very big Youth Hostel. I think it is mainly for conventions and conferences. They are just rooms where you get a blanket to sleep on the floor so don't expect beds. They have shared showers.
Mid-Range You can look for love motels which vary in quality, price and cleanliness. Most western style hotels with close proximity to the metro line are located in the Yuseong Spa vicinity. This is also where you will find the splurge hotels so inquire ahead.
Splurge Riveria is classified as the only 5 star hotel in Daejeon. It's rooms start at 180,000 Won and go upto 300,000 for a Junior Suite and 1,000,000 for the Royal Suite.
[edit] Get out
According to the city government, you can get to anywhere in South Korea from Daejeon within half a day. Seoul and Busan are less than an hour and two hours away, respectively, on the KTX. There are several pick up spots for the airport bus, which charges a princely sum of about 14$US for the ride. Also see [Get in] for information on travel to Jeju. Another option to get to Jeju would be to take KTX to Busan and catch a ferry but this would be both less economical and efficient.
[edit] Work
Like all Korean cities, Daejeon has numerous job openings for ESL / EFL teachers at public schools and private academies. Most teaching jobs require applicants to be a native English speaker and to have a three- or four-year college degree. Salaries for teaching jobs generally start between 2.0 and 2.5 million Korean Won per month and often include free housing and round-trip airfare on a one-year contract. Since the Korean won has dropped precipitously in value relative to other major currencies, salaries are starting to rise. Nevertheless, teaching English in Korea is not currently anywhere near as lucrative as it used to be.
For more information about teaching English in Korea, visit eslcafe.com, worknplay.co.kr, eslstarter.com and englishspectrum.com.
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