'''Daejeon''' (??, ___c, formerly ''Taejon'') is the capital of South Chungcheong province and the fifth-largest city in South Korea.

Get in

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.

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.

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.

By Bus

The tour bus service is extensive, but a bit slow. more information, can be found here http://tour.daejeon.go.kr/english/tourguide/transportation/citybus.jsp. This is a direct link to the bus map http://tour.daejeon.go.kr/english/tourguide/transportation/busroutes.pdf

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.

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].

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. NU Architectural Limited. 51-5 Daeheungdong, Junggu. 114015342. ttp://www.cnu.daejeon.kr/AWA/front-01.htm. Architecture in Daejeon

    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.

    Eat

    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, 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.

    Drink

    Sleep

    Jimjilmbang'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. It's a bizarre experience to be certain. Past the normal things, they have a restaurant, as well as drink bar, a facial and hair cut, the ice and oxygen rooms are always bizarre, all charged to the key and payable on the way out.

    Get out

    There are several pick up spots for the airport bus, which charges a princely sum of about 14$US for the ride.

    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, and englishspectrum.com.