Daecheongho Lake

Daecheongho was formed in 1980 when the Daecheong dam was built on the Geum, and it is the third largest reservoir in the country - the drinking-water source for Daejeon, Cheongju and much of the region, which is why swimming and boating are restricted and why the shoreline has stayed comparatively undeveloped. What that leaves is a long, quiet lake with wooded hills, inlets and a road running much of the way round, marked as a scenic drive with observatories, pavilions and cafés at the viewpoints. The Daecheongho Odori-gil is a walking course in numbered sections along the shore, of which the Simogol and Chusobong stretches are the best known, with the climb to Chusobong giving the view down over the water and its islands. Cherry trees line parts of the road for spring, and autumn colour runs round the hills. Okcheon and Boant on the far side have lakeside villages and freshwater fish restaurants.

What you actually see

• The lake road - the scenic drive round the shoreline.
• The Chusobong view - the climb over the water and islands.
• The walking sections - the numbered Odori-gil stretches.
• The observatories - viewpoints and cafés on the bends.

When to go

April for cherry along the road, October and November for colour. Mist on the water on cold mornings is the local photograph.

Honest expectations

It is a drinking-water reservoir - swimming and most boating are prohibited and enforced. Public transport round the lake is thin; a car makes it far easier. Some viewpoints are café-run and charge.

Nearby

Daejeon is south-west; Songnisan and Boeun are north-east.