Walk Along Water Path
Walking Along Yudeungcheon Stream
in Daejeon lined with willow trees
As one of the three major streams in Daejeon together with Gapcheon Stream and Daecheoncheon Stream, Yudeungcheon Stream starts in Geumsan-gun and runs through Jung-gu, Daejeon, finally meeting Gapcheon Stream. In the old days, the stream was a vast area of fertile rice paddies; today, the 9km-long walking trail along the stream serves as one of the most popular neighborhood destinations for exercise and relaxation among Daejeon citizens. The stream is also known as “budenae,” meaning willow stream, because many willow trees grow along the stream. Today, Yudeungcheon Stream divides the two districts in Daejeon, i.e., Jung-gu and Seo-gu. As you walk along the stream that dates back a very long time, enriching both your body and soul, you will be able to discover varying aspects of Dajeon.
Text by Young-eun Kim
Photos by Eun-joo Kim
Yudeungcheon Stream featuring willow trees
As mentioned earlier, “yu” in the river’s name Yudeung means willows; the river was named as such because of willow trees that line the stream. For this reason, the river was also called “Budenae” or “Yucheon.” Geographical documents of the Joseon period contain references to Yudeungcheon Stream; back then, it was called Yupocheon. Shinjeung-donggeukyeoji-seungram published during the reign of King Seongjong reads, “Yupocheon located 20-li east of Yuseong-hyeon originates from the border with Jinsan-hyeon, Jeolla-do Province. The name Yudeungcheon Stream first appeared in 1872 on the regional map of Gongju. The walking journey along Yudeongcheon Stream began in Boksu-dong, Seo-gu, which is largely a residential area. Since the residential area is within walking distance from the stream, the riverfront is always crowded with local people walking and conducting their daily activities. As the name indicates, there are willows everywhere, including an 8m-tall willow. Some willows shed leaves so early, way ahead of winter, while others keep their yellow leaves until early winter. Willows draw to the stream different species of birds including egrets, grey herons, wagtails, spotbill ducks, and Sinosuthora webbiana. On a windy day, willow leaves fall to the surface of the water and float along the river. Yudeungcheon Stream is also known for zelkovas. If you look at the residential area, you will find a zelkova that is some 430 years old. Rising as tall as 15m with circumference of up to 8m, the tree stands imposingly and majestically as if giving off some holy and solemn energy. Over the years, part of its roots and lower trunk rotted. Fortunately, the zelkova was designated as a protected tree in 1982, recovering after receiving proper care. Today, the tree has been given new life although the trunk is split into two parts that depend on each other to survive. The zelkova is perhaps trying to tell us to hold on to our life even if our body is not in one piece and to depend on and help one another.
City and nature blending as one
Yudeungcheon Stream marks the borderline between the old town and new town in Daejeon. Prior to the 1970s, Yudeungcheon Stream was on the outskirts of Daejeon; soon, however, the vast area of rice paddies and farm fields was transformed into a residential area that has been at the center of rapid urbanization of West Daejeon. Yudeungcheon Stream originates from Wolbongsan Mountain in Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Province and runs all the way to Daejeon. Small water streams in the Jinsan area come together into Yudeungcheon Stream, which runs through Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu to merge with Daejeoncheon Stream and eventually join Gapcheon Stream. This way, Yudeungcheon naturally separates Jung-gu and Seo-gu.
If you continue to walk along Yudeungcheon, leaving behind the zelkova in Boksu-dong, you will get to Hanbat Arboretum at the corner leading into Gapcheon Stream. The arboretum is as beautiful in winter as it is in spring and fall when the entire arboretum gets filled with various bright and vivid colors of nature. Things are so quiet and peaceful at the arboretum in winter as if nothing would want to wake up the animals and plants that are having a winter slumber. You will discover the uniquely beautiful sights and sounds of the arboretum that you can experience only in winter as you walk around in oddly charming tranquility and serenity.
As the country’s largest artificial urban arboretum connecting the Daejeon Government Complex and the green corridors of Expo Science Park, Hanbat Arboretum features different plant species that come into the spotlight according to the changing season and various themed spaces including natural learning and experience fields and urban shelters. Thus, it may take even a whole day to appreciate fully what it has to offer. Looking down from the observatory, you will have a panoramic view of the entire city. There are many major attractions around the arboretum that bring nature, culture, and art together, including Daejeon Arts Center, Daejeon Museum of Art, Tropical Botanical Garden, and a sculpture park.
Daejeon, a Great Place for Walking and Running
Daejeon was selected in 2023 as a city specializing in international attraction-style nighttime tourism in a public contest jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization. Expo Science Park, Hanbat Arboretum, and Media Park will be the highlights of Daejeon’s nighttime tourism. Across Gapcheon Stream from the arboretum are Hanbit Tower and Expo Science Park, two major nighttime attractions. Expo Bridge creates a particularly beautiful nightscape with its bright, colorful lightings. The pedestrian bridge was built over Gapcheon Stream when Daejeon EXPO was held in the area in 1993. The bridge was transformed into one of the most beautiful bridges in the country after it was completely renovated in 2009 through arch painting, water-proof painting on the bridge deck, and board wood deck installation; thus becoming a new nighttime attraction in Daejeon. Nighttime lighting is on every Friday until 11 p.m.
In winter when days are short, you will easily encounter the colorful nightscape of the bridge as you take a stroll in the area. If you are a rider, it is a good idea to ride a bike to Daecheon Lake. Walking trails and bike paths are well built around Daejeoncheon, Gapcheon, and Yudeungcheon, so you can ride a bike to Daecheongho Lake and enjoy the beautiful and refreshing landscape along the way. The most popular riding course is from Hanbat Arboretum to the Water Culture Museum at Daecheong Dam, which stretches some 22km and takes about an hour and a half. If you go past Daecheong Park, a panoramic view of Daecheongho Lake unfolds before your eyes, and you can take a rest at the Water Culture Museum. At night, the night view of Daecheong Dam from Daecheong Bridge is a must-see spectacle you wouldn’t want to miss.
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Hanbat Arboretum
Hanbat Arboretum is the largest artificial urban arboretum in Korea connecting the Daejeon Government Complex and the green corridors of Expo Science Park. The arboretum features changing landscape according to season.
Opening Hours
April~September: 06:00-21:00
October~March: 08:00-19:00 -
Obaengnigil at Daecheongho Lake
Obaengnigil runs along the circumference of Daechongho Lake, connecting villages and rivers nearby. The 220km road runs through Dong-gu and Daedeuk-gu in Daejeon, Boeun-gun, and Okcheon-gun, and it is known for a total of 21 waterfront ecological culture trails.
▲ The bridge, constructed during the 1993 Daejeon Expo, connects Hanbat Arboretum and Expo Science Park. Illuminated with vibrant lights after sunset, it is adorned as a scenic spot.
▼ Sunrise views from snow-covered Lake Daechung
