Daejeon

Central Korea's transport hub and "Science City", home to Sungsimdang bakery (a social-media sensation), Expo Park's Hanbit Tower, Yuseong Hot Springs and the Gyejoksan red-clay trail — a popular overnight stop between Seoul and Busan.

Daejeon is a metropolitan city in central Korea with about 1.45 million people. It sits about 140 km south of Seoul where the Gyeongbu and Honam lines meet; the KTX takes about 1 hour from Seoul and about 2 hours from Busan, making it the hub of the national rail and expressway networks. The city is known for the 1993 Daejeon Expo and the Daedeok Innopolis research complex, earning it the nickname "Science City", and in recent years Chinese travelers have also come to know it as a bread town — many visit "just for Sungsimdang". Main areas to explore: the old town around Daejeon Station and Eunhaeng-dong (the original Sungsimdang, Jungang Market, Sojedong Railway Village and the former South Chungcheong Provincial Office); the Science City in Yuseong-gu (Expo Science Park and Hanbit Tower, the National Science Museum, Hanbat Arboretum, the Daejeon Museum of Art and Yuseong Hot Springs); and nature on the outskirts (the Gyejoksan red-clay trail, Daecheongho Lake, the Jangtaesan metasequoia forest and the night view from Sikjangsan). To the north you can also visit the Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong City and Cheongnamdae near Cheongju. The best seasons are April–May and October–November, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage and metasequoias in autumn; summer is hot, humid and rainy, better for hot springs and indoor science museums; winter is cold, but the hot springs are lovely. Getting around: Daejeon Station (old town) and Seodaejeon Station serve the Gyeongbu and Honam lines respectively; Metro Line 1 runs through the city linking Daejeon Station, the Government Complex and Yuseong Spa. Buses to outlying sights are infrequent, so taxis or a rental car are recommended. Plan 1–2 days, or use it as an overnight stop between Seoul and Busan; it is also a base for the Baekje historic sites in Gongju and Buyeo. Tips: Sungsimdang has long queues on weekends and holidays, and popular cakes often sell out in the afternoon; the red-clay trail is walked barefoot and gets slippery after rain.

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