Ppuri Park, Surname sculpture park in Daejeon, South Korea
Ppuri Park is a hillside park in Daejeon, about 4.9 km from the city centre, lying at roughly 77 m above sea level between Bomunsan and Banghwasan. Its grounds hold around 136 stone sculptures, each carved with inscriptions giving the origin and background of a Korean surname. Wooded slopes and valleys surround the site.
Ppuri Park opened in 1997 on the slopes between Bomunsan and Banghwasan in Daejeon. Its name means "roots," and the grounds were laid out around stone markers recording the origins of Korean surnames. A memorial tower was added to represent regional unity and solidarity.
The sculptures celebrate how Korean family names carry stories and meanings passed down through time. Visitors can learn about what these surnames represent by reading the inscriptions along the pathways.
The grounds are most pleasant to explore on mild days and have pathways suitable for casual walks and longer explorations. Comfortable footwear is recommended, especially after rain when ground surfaces can become slippery.
One section contains a traffic safety education center where children can practice real-world driving situations using miniature streets and working traffic lights. This feature makes the location particularly valuable for families with young visitors.
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