Located between Seoul and Busan, approximately 80 km off the seacoast in the vicinity of the rivers Geumho and Nakdong in Gyeongsang do is the bustling metropolitan city ‘Daegu’. This south-eastern part of South Korea is the fourth largest city in South Korea.
People refer to Daegu using various names:
- Daeafrica – as its average temperature in summers is higher than that of other cities in the country.
- Apple city – as the humid subtropical climate facilitates the production of high qualities of apples.
- Textile city – as a result of its rich history in producing textiles.
History of Daegu
Dating back to the Joseon dynasty shows that Daegu was the birthplace of Korean modern music, art and culture. It has historically proved to be one of the traditional court music centres and is still a crucial part of the country’s overall industry.
Notable achievements of Daegu
- first introducing western music in Korea
- hosting one of the country’s first piano performances
- refuge for artists during the Korean War thus, this city has played a major role in the renaissance of modern Korean art and culture
- hosting first and one of the largest opera festivals in Asia aka the Daegu International Opera festival (DIOF)
- organizing Creative City Global Forum to formulate a sustainable and responsive culture led strategy for socioeconomic development
This city, rich in its musical and artistic culture would indubitably succeed in captivating the curiosity of the beholder with its melodic tintinnabulation.
How to get there
Train
South Korea has an extensive and efficient train network, including high-speed trains known as KTX. From Seoul, you can take a KTX train from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Daegu Station. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the train type. Trains are comfortable and offer scenic views during the trip. Once you arrive at Daegu Station, you can easily access the city center via taxis or public transportation. From Busan, the train takes approximately 1 hour.
Bus
South Korea has a well-developed bus system with regular services between cities. You can take an intercity bus from major cities like Seoul or Busan to Daegu. The duration of the bus ride depends on the traffic conditions and the distance, but it usually takes around 3 to 4 hours from Seoul and around 1.5 to 2.5 hours from Busan. Buses offer different levels of comfort, including express buses and deluxe coaches. Upon arrival at the Daegu Bus Terminal, you can use local transportation to reach your specific destination.
Car
If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car and use the highway system to reach Daegu. Major highways connect Daegu to other cities in South Korea. From Seoul, you can take the Gyeongbu Expressway (Highway 1) and drive south. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions and your starting point. From Busan, it will take approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours. It’s important to have a valid international driving permit and familiarize yourself with South Korea’s traffic rules and regulations.
Local transportation
Bus – Daegu offers regular, as well as tourist bus services. The Daegu City Tour Bus is a double decker bus that enables the traveller to visit all of the major attractions of Daegu. Furthermore, there is an electronic guide at each seat that guides its user in the language that the user is most comfortable with.
Car/ Taxi services – The taxi services in Daegu are broadly of the following types:
- Corporate taxi – readily available and have a red light on its roof to signify its availability
- Personal taxi – permanently owned taxis found at taxi stops and it has a green cap on its roof
- Call taxi – this taxi is available to its user generally within 10 minutes of its call with an extra fee for summoning the cab
- Brand taxi – aka the Hanmaeum Call Taxi, developed in order to promote the taxi industry by the Daegu Taxi Union. This taxi offers a range of features to its users such as: get home safe services, cars available within 5 minutes anywhere in the city with no additional summoning fees.
How long should I stay in Daegu?
The ideal duration of stay is subjective as per the preferences of the traveler. However in order to fully experience the beauty, cuisine and practices of the culture, the author recommends a stay of around a week but if you do not have much time, 2-3 days will enable you to see the main attractions the city has to offer.
When is the best time to visit Daegu?
The best time to visit Daegu is between August and September. The season then offers a pleasant climate that is suitable for the tourists and explorers to wander around and experience a range of activities. At the same time enjoy the captivating beauty of the musical city.
What food should I try in Daegu?
Daegu Spicy Beef Soup
Locally referred to as, ‘Daegu yukgaejang’ or ‘ttarogukbap’ (“ttaro” literally means “separate” and “gukbap” means “rice and soup”) was and still is a popular dish since the time of the Korean War. It is a combination of gomguk that is thick beef bone soup and yukgaejang that is the spicy chopped beef soup with numerous ingredients. For as long as half a century, Daegu has been the only place in all of South Korea where rice and soup are generally eaten separately.
The ingredients of the broth for this dish are: beef shank, leek, radish, red pepper powder, chopped garlic. This broth is spicy yet refreshing with its unique taste, that is usually referred to as Daegu’s unique spicy and burning taste.
Grilled beef intestines
Locally referred to as Makchang gui. This dish is low in fat, high in protein and calcium. The ingredients of this dish are beef tripe, the fourth stomach of a cow grilled using a special technique and specially made soya bean paste. It tastes best when consumed with soju
Fresh beef tartare or sliced raw bottom round steak
Locally referred to as Mungtigi (literally means beef cut into thumb sized pieces), is a dish unique to Daegu. This dish is freshly prepared from raw beef that is seasoned using spices, the beef shank from the inner thigh and rump of the cow is first marinated with sesame oil, garlic and red pepper powder.
Dongin-dong-style spicy stewed beef ribs
Locally referred to as Dongingdong Jjim galbi. This dish consists of beef ribs seasoned with spicy red pepper powder and chopped garlic, which is especially cooked in a worn out old aluminum pot. This dish is famous for its unique tongue tingling and burning sensation that is created when consumed rice mixed with leftover spices and or soju.
Spicy Catfish Stew
Locally referred to as Nonmegi Maeuntang. It is one of Daegu’s top local dishes due to its perfect combination of flavor and affordability. The ingredients of this dish are live catfish which is raised in rice paddies further cooked in a broth of kelp, radish and pepper.
Barbequed bulgogi
Locally referred to as Bogeo bulgogi. The ingredients of this dish are: deboned blowfish, bean sprouts and spicy condiments; often paired with frying rice with leftover spices and or with noodles. This dish is smooth yet spicy in flavor.
Daegu styled noodle soup
Locally referred to as Nureun guksu or Kalguksu, is the representative dish of Daegu, as Daegu is one of the top consumers of noodles and wheat flour in the entire South Korea. This dish was once promoted by the Korean government in the 1960s and 1970s as a means to reduce the rice consumption of the nation. Additionally Daegu is the only area with Noodle dishes that uses broth made of simmering anchovies in water. Noodle for this dish is made using a special combination of soybean flour and wheat flour, later rolling the batter into a thin yet wide form. This noodle is then boiled in its broth and served as it is.
Spicy raw fish salad
Locally referred to as Muchimhoe. It is an inexpensive dish with a spicy flavor. This dish offers a unique taste as it is made of ingredients like: boiled squid, turban shellfish, freshwater snail, raw saltwater eels, red pepper powder, garlic, dropwort, ginger, etc. There is a street dedicated especially for Muchimhoe, named as “Naedang-dong Bangogae Muchimhoe Alley”
Japanese fried noodle
Locally referred to as the Yaki Udon. The ingredients of this dish are shrimp, squid, pork, spinach, onion, cabbage, pumpkin, bean sprouts, and tree ear mushrooms. This is a renowned dish in Daegu because of its spicy and sweet flavor.
Flat dumplings
Locally referred to as Napjak mandu. It has a very mild flavor, the ingredients of this dish are: starch noodles, soy sauce, hot spices (sometimes), tteokbokki, spicy vegetable salad, Korean leek, carrot, cabbage, green onions. These crescent shaped delicacies are sure to amaze its consumers.
Top places to explore in Daegu
Apsan park
Located in Namgu, Daegu si, is a 600 meter high mountain surrounded on its either sides by the Sanseongsan mountain and Daedeoksan Mountain. Amidst the beauty of these three mountains lies the Apsan park, one of the largest urban eco parks. The park offers a range of activities such as: archery, horseback riding, swimming, cable car ride, walking trails, etc.
The park also expresses its respect by erecting a monument dedicated to the poet Yi Ho-wu; and it further pays reverence by establishing the Nakdonggang River War Memorial Hall, which was established in 1979 and the beautiful Keungol Daedeok Dongsan Hill, which features a delightful garden ideal for romantic dates or family outings.
Donghwasa Temple
Located in the south of Palgongsan Mountain, north east of Daegu is the Donghwasa temple. Built by Monk Geukdal in the 15th year of King Soji’s reign, and rebuilt by the Simjiwangsa under King Heungdeok. This temple was originally named as the Yugasa Temple and was renamed as Donghwasa Temple under King Heungdeok.
One of the main attractions of the Donghwasa temple is its natural looking pillars. To add more to its beauty are the statues of: Seokgamonibul, Amitabul, Yaksayeoraebul, Buddha, lion and lotus flower.
Seomun market
One of the three main markets of the Joseon dynasty, along with the Pyeongyang Market and Ganggyeong Market is the Seomun market. This market is famous for its wide range of items pertaining to crafts; silver products; dried seafood; fabric like: silk, linen, cotton, satin, clothing, knitted items, etc.
The delicacy at the Seomun Night Market is Cup Makchang, made of small portions of makchang, that is beef intestines. Other renowned dishes of the market include mu tteokbokki with shrimp and chips.
83 tower
Referred to as the ‘symbol of Daegu’. The revolving restaurant and Sky Lounge offers a stunning panorama of the entire city of Daegu
Kim Gwangseok street
The 350 meter long mural street, also referred to as the Kim kwangseok-gil street, has statues and murals depicting the life of the musician Kim Kwangseok. This street pays its due reverence to the musician by holding a, “Kim Kwang-Seok Singing Contest” each autumn.
Gyesan Catholic Church
The sole remaining structure of Daegu which was constructed in the 1900s. Built as a result of a missionary work by Father Robert, A.P. It was initially made in Korean style using wood which was unfortunately destroyed by fire shortly after its construction. Later on it was reconstructed by Father Robertin in the shape of a Latin Cross, with some Gothic architectural elements, using imported materials from France and Hong Kong.
Daegu Arboretum
It is an ecological education centre thus, is a home for thousands of species of plants like: cacti, medicinal herbs, flowers, etc. in 21 gardens positioned at the site of an old sanitary landfill.
Daegu Duryu Park
Situated near the Duyusan and Geumbongsan mountains in a circular form. The park contains a range of statues, memorials, soccer field, baseball field, private libraries, etc.
E world
An European styled theme park built around the Woobang tower. The chief attractions of this park include: fountains, lighting displays, waterfall, rides, exhibitions, performance hall, plazas, etc.
Bullodong’s Ancient Tombs
Situated in Bulldong, Dong-gu near Geumhogang River, are approximately 200 tombs, Historic site no. 262. This area is considered to be one of the mass burial sites for the rulers, controllers of this region.
Daegu Yangnyongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine
This place enables the visitor to experience traditional oriental medicines and its market. Additionally the museum attempts to provide a better explanation of the same using various graphics and animations. Furthermore the museum has dedicated its first floor to sell traditional medicinal herbs, it is the nation’s only wholesale market offering the same.
This museum also offers a range of activities such as: medicinal herb foot bath, herb soap making, herb air freshener/mist, herb lip balm etc.
Daegu Art Museum
An art museum supported by the Daegu municipal government. The museum exhibits items promoting Daegu art’s advancement. It also exhibits diverse performances and events.
Suseongmot lake
An abode of serenity and beauty located in Beommul-dong, northwest of Yongjibong peak. It was created during the Japanese colonial period as a source to provide water for agriculture. In the lake’s vicinity is the Suseong Land which has several benches; walking paths; duck boat rides; musical fountain, operating four times a day from the months of May to October.
Palgongsan cable car
Built across an ascending slope of one of the most famous prayer spots, with the ritual altar situated on Birobong Peak and the Buddha statue. It offers a mesmerizing view to its riders. The cable car ride is a 7 minute ride, with its landing platform at the top of Sinnimbong Peak of the Palgongsan Mountain.
The ARC
This building in itself is a work of art situated where the Nakdonggang and Geumhogang Rivers meet. Referred to as the landmark of Daegu because of the beautiful nightscape seen from the ARC Cultural Center.
Hill Crest
Located in the Gachang Township is an eco themed park also referred to as the Herb Hillz. It offers a range of gardens, mini zoo and ‘Eco adventure’.
Daegu National Museum
This two story brick building is an abode of the unique cultural heritage of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. It intends to promote the region’s history and culture through various educational programs.
Daegu offers its explorers numerous places which may or may not be well known by the fellow explorers, a few of these places are: Gayasan National Park; The First Presbysterian Church of Daegu ; Wolgok History Park; Daegu Safety Theme Park; Daebak Plaza; Gyeongsan Gamyeon park; Gukchaebosang Memorial Park; Daegu Art Factory; Alive Aquarium; Daegu Stadium; Dalsung Korea Japan Friendship Center; Haemgso Museum of Keimyung University; Bongsan Culture Center; Ayang Railroad; Baseball Stadium; Sanghwa Yi’s Old House; Ayanggyo; Cheongna Hill; Baesil Wedding Theme Park; Korea Video Museum; Daegu metropolitan jungang library; Dalseong Park; Susong Aqua Swimming Pool; Bongsan Culture Street; Dorimsa; House of Sro Sangdon; Yeongnam Jeil Gwan;Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival;DTC Textile Museum;Pyeonghwa Market; Dongchon Amusement Park; Heeum – Museum of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan; Dodongseowon Confusian School etc.
Written by: Kavya K R
Edited by: SKAPETOKOREA team