Daegu travel guide
Daegu Tourism | Daegu Guide
You're Going to Love Daegu
Daegu is one of Korea's biggest cities and hosts many festivals and concerts, as well as being a popular place for visitors due to its abundance of green parks, museums, and historic temples.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Daegu
1. Gatbawi
Many come from around Korea to see this Buddha statue as they believe that the deity is able to grant each visitor a single wish.
2. Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park
Take in the views of the city below at this city park, with trails for those interested in a bit of hiking around the mountain.
3. Palgongsan
This mountain is part of the Taebaek range and the top is easily reachable by cable car.
4. Daegu Opera House
This is the first and only theater created for the sole purpose of performing opera.
5. Donghwasa Temple
Explore this ancient Buddhist temple located on the south side of Palgongsan mountain.
What to do in Daegu
1. A Mountainside Buddhist Masterpiece
An enormous complex of Buddhist temples, Donghwasa is actually located about 45 minutes north of Daegu, but it's a journey that you'll want to make. Dramatically constructed on the slopes of Mount Palgongsan, the complex was initiated in 493 AD, and became a key center of Buddhist learning on the Korean peninsular. You can still book short stays to study sutras and absorb yourself in temple life, but short visits give a great feel for its grandeur and history.
2. A Repository Of Riches
Easily Daegu's major museum, the National Museum ranks among Korea's finest and can be found in the Hwanggeum neighborhood, a little way south of the downtown area. Visiting is recommended, and you'll probably need a day to see all of the sets of armor, ornate Joseon-era jewelry, sacred Confucian texts, and stunning works of art from the Buddhist temples and excavations in the region. There are over 30,000 artifacts in all, so ensure you have plenty of time (and the stamina) but when you emerge, you'll be captivated by the history and cultural riches of Gyeongsang province.
3. Street Food And Shopping On A Grand Scale
If you have a taste for shopping (and in Korea, that's a must), Seomun Market is the first place you'll want to head. Classed as one of Korea's "Big Three" markets, it sprawls over more than 4,000 stores and stalls, and has been taking place in some form for over 400 years. These days, while clothes and electronics are present in huge quantities, Seomun is also a prime location to tuck into Korean street food. Whether you're after a bowl of fishy kalguksu noodle soup, or some chewy nabjak mandu dumplings, the vendors here will cook it up in seconds, and for very reasonable prices.
4. Daegu's Green Escape
Situated in the southern half of Daegu, Apsan is more or less a wilderness park, and is the main refuge for locals with a taste for the great outdoors. Within the precincts, you'll probably stumble across the powerful Nakdong River Battle Museum, which remembers a Korean War battle, while there are Buddhist temples and even an amusement park inside the grounds. But the real pleasure is just following the trails and experiencing Korea's natural beauty.
5. A Taste Of Traditional Village Life
For an insight into traditional Korean culture, make the short trip to Otgol Village, a few miles east of the city center, at the foot of Palgong Mountain. When you get there, you'll find a clutch of buildings that look centuries old, which is a bit of an illusion, as they've been rebuilt numerous times over the years. But they retain the same construction as 16th and 17th century homes. Wander around at your leisure - it's a magical place, and a real throwback to a more sedate era.
1. A Mountainside Buddhist Masterpiece
An enormous complex of Buddhist temples, Donghwasa is actually located about 45 minutes north of Daegu, but it's a journey that you'll want to make. Dramatically constructed on the slopes of Mount Palgongsan, the complex was initiated in 493 AD, and became a key center of Buddhist learning on the Korean peninsular. You can still book short stays to study sutras and absorb yourself in temple life, but short visits give a great feel for its grandeur and history.
2. A Repository Of Riches
Easily Daegu's major museum, the National Museum ranks among Korea's finest and can be found in the Hwanggeum neighborhood, a little way south of the downtown area. Visiting is recommended, and you'll probably need a day to see all of the sets of armor, ornate Joseon-era jewelry, sacred Confucian texts, and stunning works of art from the Buddhist temples and excavations in the region. There are over 30,000 artifacts in all, so ensure you have plenty of time (and the stamina) but when you emerge, you'll be captivated by the history and cultural riches of Gyeongsang province.
3. Street Food And Shopping On A Grand Scale
If you have a taste for shopping (and in Korea, that's a must), Seomun Market is the first place you'll want to head. Classed as one of Korea's "Big Three" markets, it sprawls over more than 4,000 stores and stalls, and has been taking place in some form for over 400 years. These days, while clothes and electronics are present in huge quantities, Seomun is also a prime location to tuck into Korean street food. Whether you're after a bowl of fishy kalguksu noodle soup, or some chewy nabjak mandu dumplings, the vendors here will cook it up in seconds, and for very reasonable prices.
4. Daegu's Green Escape
Situated in the southern half of Daegu, Apsan is more or less a wilderness park, and is the main refuge for locals with a taste for the great outdoors. Within the precincts, you'll probably stumble across the powerful Nakdong River Battle Museum, which remembers a Korean War battle, while there are Buddhist temples and even an amusement park inside the grounds. But the real pleasure is just following the trails and experiencing Korea's natural beauty.
5. A Taste Of Traditional Village Life
For an insight into traditional Korean culture, make the short trip to Otgol Village, a few miles east of the city center, at the foot of Palgong Mountain. When you get there, you'll find a clutch of buildings that look centuries old, which is a bit of an illusion, as they've been rebuilt numerous times over the years. But they retain the same construction as 16th and 17th century homes. Wander around at your leisure - it's a magical place, and a real throwback to a more sedate era.
Where to Eat in Daegu
Geumgok Samgyetang serves delicious fried chicken and other popular Korean dishes in the heart of downtown. Meal prices cost between ₩6,000-12,000.
When to visit Daegu
The best time to visit Daegu is between August and September, with cooler temperatures lending visitors the opportunity for more outdoor activities.
How to Get to Daegu
Plane
The Daegu International Airport (TAE) is located just outside of the city center, with visitors taking local bus Palgong 1 or Express 1 to the city center.
Train
Dongdaegu Station is the second busiest train station in Korea, and offers daily express trains from Seoul; a 1.5-hour journey costs ₩38,400.
Car
Traffic from Korea's capital of Seoul to Daegu can prolong your journey time, but generally you can make the transfer in three hours on the Gyeongbu Expressway.
Bus
There are many buses from Seoul to Daegu making the journey in 3.5 hours and costing ₩39,000.
Airlines serving Daegu
Where to stay in Daegu
Dongseongno - this downtown business center holds the highest concentrations of banks, restaurants, and shopping opportunities.
Popular Neighborhoods in Daegu
Dalseo-gu - here you can find multiple amusement spots as well as Kyungpook National University.
Duryu Park - this neighborhood is comprised of a large fortress and several monuments within including Daegu Tower, Woobang Tower Land, and Kolon Bandstand.
Where to stay in popular areas of Daegu
How to Get Around Daegu
Public Transportation
There is both a subway and many buses in Daegu, with routes covering every section of the city. A standard fare on each costs ₩1,100, which you can buy with a prepaid transportation card at the station kiosks.
Taxi
There are many yellow taxi cabs in Korea, with the fare starting at ₩3,000 and costing around ₩12,000 for a ride between downtown locations.
Car
Daily rental vehicles can be picked up at the bus station, airport, or several downtown locations. Prices start at ₩22,000.
The Cost of Living in Daegu
Shopping Streets
Daegu Department Store has two branches downtown selling clothes, jewelry, and household items. For a more authentic shopping trip, browse Seomun Market for local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Groceries and Other
Costco and LotteMart are the two most popular spots to buy groceries. A dozen eggs costs ₩3,000.