[Daejeon Trip] A Healing Spot in the Heart of the City: My Visit to Hanbat Arboretum
Last time, I was feeling really worn out and realized I needed some healing. So I decided to go find a forest. While thinking about where to go, I learned about Hanbat Arboretum, one of Daejeon’s 대표 healing spots, and made plans right away.
▼ A previous story I wrote because I needed a trip
🎶 An Unexpected Gift at Daejeon Station: A Classical Performance
After arriving at Daejeon Station and heading down to catch the subway, I happened to come across a small ensemble performing—purely by chance. What a gift to find something like that right at the start of the trip.
The thump-thump of the drums, the gentle melodies of the violin and cello, and even the warm tone of a wind instrument I don’t even know the name of… I still can’t forget the moment when all those different instruments blended in perfect harmony.
What stood out most was the conductor dressed as a pierrot. When he smiled slightly, it felt a bit awkward yet delightful—and it brightened my mood, too.
After the performance, they said there would be another one around 4 p.m. at a different location, but I kept moving as planned so I could head to Hanbat Arboretum.
🚇 Taking the Subway to the Arboretum
The subway was cool, though I think it was more about the actual temperature than the vibe. It was such a hot day that it probably felt even cooler.
After getting off the subway and transferring to a bus, I finally arrived at Hanbat Arboretum.
🌳 First Impressions of Hanbat Arboretum
The first Hanbat Arboretum I saw was much larger than I expected, with lots of big trees. Unlike the urban image you might associate with “Daejeon,” the forest spread across that wide space felt like nature drawn in bold strokes on a blank white canvas.
Every step felt healing, and each time I paused, I could feel my mind settling down.
There was also a section where you could walk barefoot along a 황토 path. Since I usually like grounding (earthing), it was hard to just pass by. But I was hungry, so in the end I couldn’t choose it and kept walking. (laughs)
☕ A Café, and Coming Face-to-Face with Art
I stopped by a nearby café and had a cold strawberry latte. One sweet, refreshing sip cooled my whole body.
Inside the arboretum, there was an artificial lake and artworks on display by artists. One of them is still vividly etched in my memory.
It was a massive sculpture with no body below the chest—standing while supporting itself on the ground only with its arms. Its gaze was fixed far into the distance. It felt like peace found in the middle of a crisis, and also like peace that comes after hardship. The piece carried two opposing moods at once, and it gripped my heart strongly.
🖼️ Museum Visit
I also stopped by the nearby museum, but honestly, the paintings themselves felt fairly ordinary, so they didn’t leave a strong impression.
Maybe because I’ve run a logo design business before, I was expecting more than the work itself—I was hoping for the power of story and branding. But the explanations were lacking, which was a bit disappointing.
What I realized in the process was that I definitely like sculpture more than painting. The vivid energy you get from three-dimensional forms seems to suit me better. Maybe that’s why even my hobbies tend to chase that sense of depth, like virtual reality.
🏞️ The Charm of Hanbat Arboretum
The biggest strength of Hanbat Arboretum was that it’s a “multi-cultural complex.” It’s not just an arboretum—nearby you also have a museum, art hall, cafés, and kids’ play facilities all in one area, so you can easily enjoy a full day there.
I think it’s a real blessing to have such a relaxed, diverse space right in the middle of the city. That’s why I can confidently recommend this place to anyone.
🍖 Bonus Review – All-You-Can-Eat BBQ & Accommodation
If you take the bus a little farther from Hanbat Arboretum, there’s an all-you-can-eat BBQ place. The price was in the 20,000 won range, and the meat was better than I expected. Since it’s buffet-style, you can freely grab whatever you want, so I really enjoyed the meal. (I can’t quite remember the name of the place, but if you leave a comment, I’ll look it up and share it!)
For my stay, I chose a residence hotel, and it felt fresh since it was my first time at one. It had a spacious studio-apartment vibe and was well maintained, with a front-loading washer and a temperature control system. There was also a microwave on the second floor that you could use freely, and above all, the bed sheets were so soft that I slept really well.
One thing to know: if you order delivery, you have to pick it up yourself on the first floor. Still, management was thorough, so the hotel interior was very quiet and clean.
🌿 Closing
What I’ll remember most from this trip is that I was able to experience nature, art, and healing all at once—right in the middle of the city.
If you’re planning a trip to Daejeon, I really recommend stopping by Hanbat Arboretum. I’m sure it’ll leave you with a warm afterglow.
I also captured these travel moments on video.
👉 If you’d like, I can also leave the name of the all-you-can-eat BBQ place in a comment.
