Walking Through the Former Presidential Villa | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Cheongnamdae, located by the Daecheong Lake shore, means 'Warm Southern Blue House' and served as the official presidential villa of the Republic of Korea from 1983. Past presidents held meetings here with various figures to discuss regional issues and hosted several state guests. Covering 1,844,000 square meters, key facilities include the main building, golf course, pavilion, helipad, fish farm, pentagonal pavilion, and thatched-roof house. Five presidents used it a total of 88 times before its opening to the public on April 18, 2003. The landscaping features 124 species of trees totaling around 116,000 and 143 species of wildflowers amounting to 350,000, which are among Cheongnamdae’s prides. The natural ecosystem is well preserved, home to natural monuments such as otters, flying squirrels, wild boars, water deer, leopard cats, raccoons, pheasants, and is also a migratory bird habitat. Cheongnamdae offers a 'Stair of Happiness' with stunning views and an observatory overlooking the blue Daecheong Lake and Cheongnamdae. With ample time, visitors can fully enjoy a rich day in nature through the 'Cheongnamdae Presidential Road Completion Stamp Rally.'

Located in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, this restaurant is a local eatery that won the grand prize at the 2006 Chungbuk Food Competition. The aged pork is tender and flavorful, and there are various Korean dishes available such as soybean paste stew, wild mushroom stew, and jjageuli (braised spicy stew). The interior has many seats, making it suitable for group use.

Munui Cultural Heritage Complex was established to revive and learn about our unique traditional culture, which is disappearing due to the development of human civilization and rapid industrialization, by reproducing the lives and spirit of our ancestors. On a site of about 40,000 pyeong, Munsangwan, a Chungcheongbuk-do tangible cultural heritage, has been relocated and restored, and traditional houses were moved from Gwangjeong-ri, Nangseong-myeon, Nohyeon-ri, Munui-myeon, and Bugang-ri, Bugang-myeon. Seogildeok Hyojagak, Kim Seonbok Chungsingak, and old monuments from the Munui area have also been relocated. The Daecheongho Art Museum, completed in 2004 within the Munui Cultural Heritage Complex, offers a good view over the Daecheongho lakeside where visitors can enjoy paintings and artworks.

Hyeonamsa Temple was named for the meaning of 'daramjeol,' which signifies hanging at the edge of a cliff, and this was rendered in Chinese characters as Hyeonamsa (懸岩寺). There are no existing records about the temple's founding time or founder. However, according to stories passed down at the temple, it was established during the reign of King Jeonji of Baekje at the wish of Dalsol Haechung (達率解忠), a monk from Goguryeo named Cheongwon Seongyeong (淸遠仙境) founded it, and it was later renovated by Monk Wonhyo. In various geographical records of the Joseon Dynasty, Hyeonamsa appears as Gyeonbulsa (見佛寺) or Hyeonsa (懸寺). Particularly, in early Joseon records like Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seunglam, it is called Gyeonbulsa, and in later times the name changed to Hyeonsa, which became the current Hyeonamsa.

Daecheongho Lake is an artificial lake spanning Daejeon Metropolitan City and the Chungcheongbuk-do areas of Cheongju-si, Okcheon-gun, and Boeun-gun. It was created with the completion of the Daecheong Dam in 1980. The lake supplies drinking water, as well as domestic and industrial water to the Daejeon and Cheongju regions. With a surface area of 72.8㎢, a lake length of 80 km, and a storage capacity of 1.5 billion tons, it is the third largest lake in South Korea. Hills with an elevation of 200 to 300 meters and trees surround the lake, making it well known as a drive course. Many migratory and resident birds visit, and great egrets can be easily seen in the upper stream area during summer. From the observatory, visitors can look down on the surrounding scenery at a glance. The Water Promotion Center, opened in 1998, features a 3D theater and an aquarium.

Daecheong Dam is located between Daejeon and Cheongju in Chungbuk, with a reservoir capacity of 1.49 billion tons, making it the second largest lake in the central region after Chungju Lake. Completed in 1980, the dam reduces flood damage downstream, supplies agricultural water to downstream farmlands, and provides domestic and industrial water to rapidly growing areas such as Daejeon, Cheongju, Jeonju, and Gunsan in the Chungcheong and Honam regions. Daecheong Dam, the longest multipurpose artificial lake in Korea, offers outstanding scenery blending with the mountain valleys. Around the lake, many cultural relics are well preserved, including Cheongnamdae, opened after 20 years, Hyeonamsa Temple, and Munui Hyanggyo Confucian School. The endlessly gentle waves of Daecheong Lake and mountain peaks floating like islands on the lakeside are shrouded in white morning mist and decorated by deep blue skies and white clouds at noon, creating a beautiful view. The lakeside road, winding through dense forests, is known as a popular drive course. The Daecheong Lake drive has a northern course connecting Cheongju and Sintanjin, and a southern course connecting Boeun and Okcheon. Especially, the scenery between O-gari, Munui-myeon, and Hyeondo-myeon in Cheongju is outstanding. Tourist attractions around the dam include Munui Cultural Property Complex, Cheongnamdae, Yangseong Mountain Fortress, Small Yonggul Fountain, and Dodangsan Park.