Starlit Skies and Temple Stays at the Observatory Temple | Travel Course | Staypick

Gap-sa Temple is located on the northwestern slope of Gyeryongsan Mountain within Gyeryongsan National Park in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do. It is a famed temple that was one of the ten major temples of the Hwaeom sect during the Unified Silla period. The temple is surrounded by old pine and zelkova tree forests, and has long been known for its beautiful autumn foliage, giving rise to the saying 'Chunma Valley, Chu Gap-sa (Spring Hemp Valley, Autumn Gap-sa)'. Originally founded in 420 AD, the first year of King Gui Sin of Baekje, by the monk Ado from Goguryeo, Gap-sa has been called Gyeryong Gap-sa, Gap-sa, Gap-sa-sa, and Gyeryong-sa. Among these, it is said Gap-sa was so named because it is the best (甲) among heaven, earth, and humanity. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was excepted from the policy of Confucian supremacy suppressing Buddhism and even received royal patronage, leading to the carving of the 'Wolin Seokbo'. After being destroyed during the Japanese invasion in 1597, its Daeungjeon Hall and Jinhaedang Hall were rebuilt beginning in 1604 (the 37th year of King Seonjo), and the temple survives today. Thanks to its long history, many valuable cultural assets remain preserved inside the temple. Around the temple, beautiful scenic spots such as Yongmun Waterfall, Sujeongbong Peak, Cheonjinbo Pagoda, and Gunjadae are found, and notably, the southern valley is famous for creating nine scenic bends, known as the 'Nine Bends' with stunning views. Visitors may participate in temple ceremonies and templestay programs held at the temple.

Daejeon Expo Science Park was created to utilize the facilities and site of the '93 Daejeon World Expo, the first international specialized expo accredited by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Korea, as a venue for public science education. The park features the Hanbit Tower, which symbolizes a ray of light connecting the wise past with the present and future. The 93-meter-high Hanbit Tower, themed on science and space, serves as an observatory offering views of the park and Daejeon city. In front of Hanbit Tower is the Mulbit Square music fountain, which leads to Expo Bridge and provides exciting music and fountain shows for visitors. During the night operations, a spectacular media facade is displayed against the backdrop of Hanbit Tower, featuring colorful video projections using special lighting.

Nokwon Soy Sauce Crab is a soy sauce crab specialty restaurant located in Daedeok Research Complex, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. The main menu is a low-sodium soy sauce crab set meal. Carefully selected firm female crabs, full of roe and meat, are properly aged in soy sauce boiled with various seasonings and neatly served. It has no fishy smell, making it enjoyable for everyone, and is popular among office workers due to its location within the research complex. It is accessible via Daedeok-daero, with the Honam Expressway branch Bukdaejeon IC and Yuseong IC nearby. Public transportation is available at Daejeon Doryong Express Intercity Bus Stop. Nearby are Shinsegae Art & Science, National Central Science Museum, and Expo Science Park.

Ppuri Park is a themed park opened on November 1, 1997, located in the Jimsan-dong area of Jung-gu, Daejeon Gwangyeoksi, featuring sculptures symbolizing family names, the Korean Genealogy Museum, and various convenient facilities, with filial piety as its theme. It is an educational park promoting loyalty and the spirit of ownership, a family-friendly park offering diverse events for families, and a natural park in the city with scenic natural landscapes. The park includes family name sculptures to help visitors rediscover their roots, a deep-rooted spring shaped like the Four Symbols and the 12 Zodiac signs, a waterside stage for various events, a central lawn plaza, an observatory with a panoramic view of the park, an octagonal pavilion, as well as facilities such as a forest bath, filial piety cultural garden, and healing rest area.

Daejeon Citizen Observatory opened on May 3, 2001, as the first local government astronomical science center and attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. On the 3rd floor observation room, visitors can experience observing the sun's prominences and sunspots during the day, and observe planets, stars, nebulae, and star clusters at night through a celestial telescope. On the 1st floor planetarium, there are seasonal constellation explanations and astronomy-related video screenings, as well as weekend star concerts on Saturdays and Fridays, and poetry and music events under the starlight. The 1st floor corridor hosts the Astro Gallery art exhibition. In 2017, astronomy park creation, parking lot installation, road paving and sidewalks for visitor safety, and installation of slopes in the assistant observation room were completed to enable celestial observations for people with disabilities, along with renovations of photo zones.