Jangtaesan Recreational Forest in Daejeon is a Spectacular Metasequoia Dream | 7 Things to See & Do

In a country packed with truly spectacular fall foliage sights, Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is unique. I can safely say I’ve never encountered any other place quite like it – not just in Korea, but in the world.

There’s no other place quite like Jangtaesan in Korea.

Located in Daejeon, about 3 hours south of Seoul by car or KTX, Jangtaesan Forest is the unforgettable autumn day tour you won’t regret taking. I, for one, cannot wait to go back to bask in all that burnt orange glory once again.

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest | 장태산자연휴양림

Daejeon’s Jangtaesan is home to Korea’s largest metasequoia forest, and it is magnificent.

It’s a truly special experience to be surrounded by over 6,300 densely packed metasequoia trees, majestically towering 38-metres high around you, Whether you see it from below, within, or high above, Jangtaesan is beyond stunning.

Jangtaesan is stunning from every angle.

And while all those tightly bunched metasequoia trees are truly unforgettable, you can also see forests full of golden ginkgo and bald cypress, lush valleys, a botanical garden, reflexology foot paths, and an ecological pond at Jangtaesan Recreational Forest.

The mix of autumn colours there were definitely some of the best I’ve seen in Korea.

Jangtaesan is a huge natural forest, with many wonderful things to see and do inside.

Jangtaesan spans nearly 816,000 square metres, and there’s a ton to do inside the forest, including a sky tower and suspension bridge, hiking, educational programs, and much, much more. You can even stay overnight inside the park if you wish!

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What’s the best time to visit Jangtaesan Recreational Forest

With the right mindset and gear, a visit to Jangtaesan at any time of the year will never disappoint.

While true that winter in Korea can be devastatingly cold, it can also be a wonderland of fluffy snowflakes and sparkling ice crystals dangling from branches.

Sangso-dong Forest Park is an icy wonderland in Daejeon!

In springtime, new buds colour the trees with the freshest, most optimistic green.

And by summer in Korea, Jangtaesan Mountain is awash in nature, and the welcome shade of a canopy of trees.

Gorgeous greens at Jangtaesan © IR Studio, Korea Tourism Organization

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is particularly magnificent during autumn in Korea, when a breathtaking kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows paint the entire park in a wondrous celebration of colour.

Autumn at Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is glorious © Woo Jae-yong, Korea Tourism Organization

Time your visit to Jangtaesan for late autumn (that means early to mid November), if you’ve got your heart set on seeing that incredible forest of burnt orange metasequoia trees.

You might even get caught in a thrilling metasequoia needle shower. I did!

How to get to Jangtaesan from Seoul?

Address: 461, Jangan-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon | 대전광역시 서구 장안로 461

Jangtaesan Forest is located on the outskirts of Daejeon – a smaller city a few hours south of Seoul.

Simply spectacular © Kim Sangseok, Photo Korea

By Express Bus

There are several express buses that make the trip between Seoul and Daejeon, departing from Express Bus Terminal.

At the time of writing (but you should definitely confirm routes yourself on Naver or Kakao Maps):

• Depart from Express Bus Terminal in Seoul, and get off at Daejeon Terminal Complex. It takes 2 hours and costs around 17,000 won.
• If transferring to Jangtaesan Recreational Forest using public transit, board blue bus #201 in Daejeon, and get off at Doma Market. It’s 16 stops and takes about 30 minutes.
• At Doma Market, transfer to green bus #22, and ride 27 stops to Jangtaesan Recreational Forest. It takes about 40 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can take a a 45 minute, 28,000 won taxi ride to your final destination.

Express Bus Terminal in Seoul is a major transit hub © Lee Beomsu, Photo Korea

It’s difficult to book bus tickets in advance on Korean platforms unless you have a Korean phone number for security check, but you can reserve easily with an international credit card on Klook.

READ NEXT: Visiting Korea in November | Weather, Best Festivals + What to Wear and Pack

By SRT or KTX Train

If you prefer train journeys, you have a few options. Both SRT and KTX high speed trains travel between Seoul and Daejeon, multiple times a day.

It’s a popular route with many people commuting between the 2 cities for work, so make sure to book well in advance, especially on weekends.

Jangtaesan is on the outskirts of Daejeon © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Whether you start from Suseo (SRT) or Seoul Station (KTX), your final destination is Daejeon Station. Both routes take between 60 to 90 minutes to reach Daejeon, and cost between 20,000 to 25,000 won each way.

From Daejeon Station, you’ll have to transfer to local bus, or take a taxi to Jangtaesan Recreational Forest.

By Day Tour

Jangtaesan’s explosion in popularity led to the creation of several new day tours from Seoul to the metasequoia field of dreams.

There are options that focus on Daejeon attractions, ones that also visit Suwon, or of course, the most popular option makes a stop in Jeonju and its huge hanok village.

Jeonju Hanok Village is full of traditional Korean homes and experiences.

A Jangtaesan day tour is a great option if you want to maximize your limited vacation time – especially since it doesn’t cost much more than doing everything independently.

READ NEXT: All the Ways to Get from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong!

Driving independently

If you’re comfortable driving to Daejeon independently, I highly recommend it. Jangtaesan is located on the outskirts of the city, and it takes at least an hour to get there from the bus or train station – and that’s if you catch all the local bus transfers perfectly.

Driving on highways in Korea is incredibly easy, and traffic in Daejeon is not crazy like in Seoul or Busan. It’s manageable.

Renting a car lets you see things you normally wouldn’t.

If you want to get off the beaten path in Korea, having a car gives you total flexibility to explore other nearby cities that are so worth your time.

From Daejeon, I recommend checking out the Baekje Dynasty cities of Iksan, Buyeo, and Gongju. These are all places I’ve visited multiple times because I’ve enjoyed them so much.

Goseurak is an Iksan highlight.

If you’re visiting in autumn, you can make stops at Asan Ginkgo Tree Road, and Baramsae Village in Pyeongtaek for pink muhly grass on the way back up to Seoul from Daejeon. It’s literally right on the route..

If you do plan to rent a car, make sure to get an IDP at home before arriving in Korea.

Asan Ginkgo Tree Road is perfect at the same time as Jangtaesan is.

It’s also best to reserve as early as possible. Autumn is peak travel season in Korea, and the chance of cars getting fully booked and more expensive increase, the longer you wait. You can always cancel if you change your mind, right?

Things to See and Do at Jangtaesan

Though it’s certainly enough to simply stroll through the breathtaking beauty of the forest, there’s a few other worthy things to do inside Jangtaesan Recreational Forest.

The beauty of the forest will probably be enough for you © Min Ok-seon, Korea Tourism Organization

Get a Feed-worthy Photo

A few years back, Jangtaesan Recreational Forest exploded onto Instagram feeds with a fear of heights defying image of vivid cone-shaped trees, and a levitating boulder.

Relatively unknown to travelers before that, it’s now a required stop if you’re visiting Korea in autumn. Understandably.

This is the photo location that started it all…

To get to this photo spot – cross the suspension bridge, then hike up a steep, but not overly long trail to a wooden observation platform.

During peak autumn season, you’ll likely see a line of people waiting to take THAT pic. It can take a couple hours to get to the front of the line (no exaggeration), so prepare with water and maybe a hat. The sun can be very strong, even in November.

I couldn’t stand on that boulder for long. Sitting was much more comfortable.

The boulder is very stable and surprisingly, it wasn’t overly scary standing on top of it (despite my fear of heights), but do exercise EXTREME caution.

An accident could definitely happen if you’re not being careful, and trust me, it’s a long way down, with nothing to stop your fall. Injuries (maybe death) are pretty much guaranteed.

Limited Edition Autumn Tours in Korea

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest isn’t the only gorgeous autumn spot in Korea! Check out these tours to the best autumn hotspots in Korea, which only take place for a few months each year.

Naejangsan is one of the most popular autumn hotspots in Korea ⓒ Ha Nam-gi, Korea Tourism Organization

• Seoraksan + Nami Island | September 16th – November 30th
• Jangtaesan and Jeonju Hanok Village Day Tour from Seoul | September 16th – December 10th
• Suwon Hwaseong UNESCO Fortress + Jangtaesan | September 16th – November 29th
• Nari Pink Muhly Grass + Nami Island + Gangchon Rail Bike  |  September 23rd – October 18th
• Seoraksan (Autumn Foliage) + Nami & Garden of Morning Calm OR Alpaca World  |  October 1st – November 28th
• Seoraksan National Park Hiking Tour (Private or Join-in | no set dates, recommend booking in the last 2 weeks of October
• Hwadam Botanic Garden + Namhansanseong Fortress (UNESCO)  |  October 21st – 31st
• Seoraksan National Park with Cable Car Day Tour from Seoul | October 15th – November 8th
• Seoul City Autumn Tour (Gamaksan, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Haneul Park + Jingwansa)  |  October 16th – November 30th
• Jirisan National Park Autumn Tour | October 21st – November 4th
• Bulguksa Temple and Gyeongju Hwangnidan-gil Autumn Tour | October 24th – November 12th
• Naejangsan National Park Autumn Foliage Tour | October 25th – November 10th
• Classic Naejangsan National Park Tour | October 27th – November 14th
• Gyeongju Autumn Foliage One Day Tour | October 28th – November 15th

A ginkgo forest dream in Hongcheon © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Pink muhly grass is something else we all look forward to in autumn, and here’s a few places you can see it in late September and October.

• Yangju Nari Park, Nami Island, and Gangchon Rail Bike Tour
• Herb Island Pink Muhly Festival and Pocheon Seasonal Attractions
• Jeju Autumn Highlights and Pink Muhly Tour
• Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage One Day Tour from Busan (book in October)

Pink muhly is another autumn delight.

READ NEXT: 14 Golden Places to See Ginkgo Trees and Leaves in Korea

Walk Across the Forest Skyway and Suspension Bridge

No visit to Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is complete without a visit to the Forest Skyway and Suspension Bridge.

The Forest Experience Skyway is one of the best ways to be completely immersed in the stunning beauty of all those fantastic metasequoia trees. It’s on a winding elevated pathway, that passes right through the tree line.

Take a stroll atop the Forest Skyway at Jangtaesan.

The Forest Skyway is pretty sturdy, but the same can’t be said of the spectacular suspension bridge. It’s worth the wobbles though. The views from this bridge are awe-inspiring… and well, you’ll have to cross it if you want that levitating boulder picture anyway.

You’ll have to cross this wobbly suspension bridge, if you want THAT pic.

READ NEXT: The Best 15 Places to Stay in Myeongdong | Seoul’s Most Convenient Neighbourhood

Climb the Sky Tower

The Sky Tower’s design reminds me a lot of Mancheonha Skywalk in Danyang, with its winding pathway, and open sides. The climb is not long or steep, so it’s accessible to pretty much anyone. I’m almost certain strollers could even be pushed up the Sky Tower, without much effort.

The Sky Tower has views from every angle © Song Jaekeun, Korea Tourism Organization

From the peak of the Sky Tower, you’ll have panoramic views over Jangtaesan Recreational Forest. Take a break on the benches at the top, and drink in the view, while breathing in all that oxygen-rich air.

READ NEXT: 11 Spectacular Places to Visit in Seoul during Autumn

Take a Forest Bath

Plants and trees release phytoncides, which have antibacterial and antifungal qualities that fight disease. Wandering through a forest, while taking deep breaths has been found to boost immune systems, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress.

Coniferous, needleleaf trees are known to produce phytoncides in the greatest quantities, so Jangtaesan’s huge forest of metasequoia is not only gorgeous, it’s also good for you!

Just look at all those phytoncide-rich needleleaves!

Forest bathing is a super popular activity in Korea, and you’ll come across many parks with specific areas set up for doing just that – so keep a lookout on your walks through nature.

READ NEXT: How to See the Sublime Gyeongbokgung Palace at Night

Go Hiking

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest rightfully gets most of its attention for those magnificent metasequoia trees, but let’s not forget that it’s ACTUALLY a mountain, with many kilometres of hiking trails to conquer.

My daughter hiked up even higher than me, with her oppa, while I waited in line at the boulder.

Pick up a hiking map from the park information centre, or look out for signs pointing you in the right direction. There are a number of different trails of varying difficulties, with some having stairs or safety ropes available. Generally speaking, the higher in elevation you ascend, the more difficult the hiking will become.

Playground and Traditional Games

If you’re visiting Jangtaesan Recreational Forest with kids, you’ll be relieved to know there’s a small playground to entertain them. While it’s more appropriate for younger kids, our gang of littles had no problem having fun there.

Even the playground at Jangtaesan is gorgeous!

There’s food, coffee, and a seating area nearby, so you can relax with your kids in view.

You can also search out a metasequoia nestled area with traditional Korean games to play, like Squid Game.

READ NEXT: Magic Hour at Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

Explore the Ecological Pond

Surrounded by magnificent trees, the wooden boardwalk that spans Jangtaesan Recreational Forest’s ecological pond is incredibly picturesque. It’s a gorgeous spot from which to observe the various aquatic plants, fish, and frogs living inside the pond.

Stroll atop the wooden boardwalk © Lee Bumsu, Korea Tourism Organization

Brave the Reflexology Paths

A reflexology path is designed to massage and activate acupressure points in our feet, as you walk atop a series of protruding stones of different shapes and sizes.

It can be a breeze to walk across, or it can be very painful – it all depends on your overall level of health, since each of the acupressure points in your feet corresponds with a different organ in your body.

My dad taking a stroll on a reflexology path in Korea.

If you’d like to see how you measure up, seek out one of the many reflexology paths in Jangtaesan Recreational Forest, and take a walk. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot across the stones for the best result.

Daejeon Hotels | Where to Stay

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is on the outskirts of Daejeon, so there aren’t a ton of hotels close to the forest. However, it’s easy to get there by local public transportation or taxi from the centre. It’s better to stay centrally in the city anyway, for easier access to a bigger variety of restaurants and other amenities.

The glorious woods of Jangtaesan are accessible by public transit from Daejeon.

Hotel Onoma, Autograph Collection

Hotel Onoma is part of the Autograph Collection, so you can count on a luxurious vibe in an excellent location. It also offers an indoor swimming pool in the sky, on-site restaurants, and world-class service.

Hotel Interciti

From double rooms to family suites, Hotel Interciti has an accommodation choice that’s perfect for you. Best of all? It’s modern, clean, spacious, and walking distance to public transit.

Staying at Jangtaesan Recreational Forest

If you’ve headed to Daejeon purely to gawk at the beautfy of the forest, you can actually stay INSIDE Jangtaesan. There are a few different pension style accommodations available, in a few separate areas of the park.

It’s possible to sleep inside the forest © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization

Reservations can be made on their website (Korean only), with prices ranging from 44,000 to 350,000 won per night, depending on the season, number of people, and size of the room. The largest accommodation can sleep up to 15 people!

We loved our family time at Jangtaesan Recreational Forest!

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What do you think? Are you brave enough to stand on that levitating boulder, high above Jangtaesan’s stunning metasequoia forest?