Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nev]

I'm intending to go to Daedunsan on Saturday. All the threads I've seen on it talk of getting there from Jeonju, but it would be far more convenient for me to go from Daejeon. Is this easily possible? Also, how long does the trekking take? Finally, is it a day-trip or would it be better as a full weekend trip?

Thanks

[just because]

I went to Daedunsan last year...awesome...

I went from Jeonju but there are buses from Daejeon and Geumsan maybe hourly.

You could do it in a day...get on the first or second bus...it only takes about 6 hours max up and down as the last bus goes at 5.

However, there are a heap of yogwans there to stay in and it is an enjoyable weekend.

[nev]

I'm guessing by the lone response to my enquiry that not many people have been. Having just returned, I want to strongly recommend it.



Although it can be reached from Jeonju, I imagine the easier approach for Seoul, Busan and Daegu residents would be from Daejeon. By KTX, Daejeon takes just 45 minutes from Daegu, about an hour and a half from Busan, and probably about the same from Seoul. From Daegu, the cost of a KTX was 15400W, so it wouldn't be much more from the others.

Once in Daejeon, take a taxi to Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal. It costs about 2500W. From here, daily once only at 10.35am. buses leave from platform 1, costing just 3100W. However, I have a strong suspicion that more buses leave from Seobu Bus Terminal at the other side of the city, as that is where most buses return from Daedunsan too. The journey takes about an hour.


Before the bus has even arrived you will realise that you're in a beautiful part of Korea. Daedunsan itself is spectacular. It is a very steep climb but sheltered by trees most of the way, and there are a number of stops on the way selling drinks, ice-cream and, of course, silkworm larvae. If you have a bad leg or are crippled from the waist down you can take the cable car; otherwise there's no excuse for this lazy option.

The bridge across two craggy peaks is what Daedunsan is known for. This is a surprisingly scary experience. The view from here, and moreso the actual peak of the mountain, is fabulous - a panoramic scene of bouncing green mountains bursting with trees. But Daedunsan itself is the most impressive, with giant craggy rocks and sheer vertical drops.

It takes about two hours to climb, and less than an hour to descend. There are, as you'd expect, quite a lot of Korean hikers but the numbers were never overwhelming and they were all very friendly. If you are lucky, some pretty girls might ask you to be in their photograph.



The last three buses back to Daejeon are at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.15pm. The 2.30pm one goes to Dongbu Bus Terminal, 4.30pm and 7.15pm to Seobu Bus Terminal. Seobu Bus Terminal is the other side of the city to the train station, but there are numerous local buses to save you 10000W on a taxi. Number eight hundred and something goes to Dongu Bus Terminal and the neighbouring Express Bus Terminal (buses to all major cities). I'm sure there are buses going to Daejeon Station too.

Daedunsan is a very easy day trip from Korea's three biggest cities, but can make for a great weekend outing too (it's near a town called Gongju which has at least two days worth of things to see). It's all very well mooching around the city, drinking pishy lager and looking at the sunshine from inside a one-room apartment but that doesn't make for a classic weekend. Outside of the cities Korea has some great things to see and we are wasting our time here if we don't take the occasional weekend to sample them. Daedunsan is definitely worth seeing while you are in Korea.

[Swiss James]

nice post nev

[schwa]

Indeed. If your post inspires even a handful of people to take a break from the urban canyons, you'll have done a good service.

(Personally I'd like to experience the "bouncing green mountains." Very rare phenomenon!)