A Travel Guide to Daegu, South Korea
Daegu is an inland city in South Korea, known for its delicious food alleys, a hopping downtown, and surrounding beautiful mountains. This city will not disappoint! Daegu is the fourth largest city in South Korea. I (Sarah) actually studied at a university here in Daegu and also had some part-time jobs while I was living as a student here. My father was born in Daegu, so this city is very special to me in many ways. This city has a huge population of international students and English teachers as well!
In the city center of Daegu, there are a total of five courses that the city has set up for a walking tour. The walking tour is on the list of the top 100 things to do in South Korea! Grab a map at the many tourist offices around the city and it shows you how far to walk and what to see!
Places to go:
Seomun Market - Started during the Joseon period (1600s) it is a historical market! Enjoy shopping, and eating street food. Don’t forget to also go at night! Korea is lively at night and so are the markets!
Dong Seong Ro - lively every day of the year. Young college students and high schoolers are always out enjoying the many cafes, restaurants, and shopping.
Oriental Medicine Museum (약령시 한의약 박물관) - a museum that is right in the street of oriental medicine! Try traditional teas and smell different kinds of traditional medicines
Gyesan Cathedral (계산 성당) - the third cathedral that was built in South Korea. It is best to go at night!
Kim Kwangseok Street (김광석 다시그리기길) - Is on the top 100 things to see in South Korea list! A 350m long street to tribute the famous singer Kim Kwangseok. All the murals represent the music he wrote and sang. Also lots of cafes, food stalls, and statues! My personal favorite street in Daegu!
Apsan Observatory (앞산전망대) - cable car is also available to get to the observatory. Able to see Palgong Mountain from the observatory.
Apsan Cafe Street (앞산 카페 거리) - The name is kind of misleading, it is not actually one street but it’s more of the area. Starting from small cafes to cafes that have several floors. The perfect place for us! If you hike up Apsan, this area is just at the base of the mountain. It’s the perfect post-hike spot!
Suseong Mot (수성못) - not much to do in the winter when the pond is frozen, but in the summer it is perfect to go on a date here! also able to ride a swan pedal boat on the pond!
Sa Mun Jinju Makchon (사문 진주 막촌) - 우리 나라 최초의 피아노 유입지 it still has old vibes and you can get traditional Korean food here as well.
The Ark (디아크) - Designed by an Internationally known architect 하니라시드. It is the perfect spot rent bikes and bike around the area! Go during sunset! The ark lights up around 5:30 and it gives it another vibe.
Biseul Mountain - Another great hike to do around Daegu (especially during the spring bloom!)
Palgong San Mountain (팔공산) - a total of 108 km of trails that you can take around the mountain! If you want to go to the summit without hiking, you can take the cable car up and enjoy the view.
Anjirang Gopchang Street (안지랑곱창골목) - top food to eat in Daegu! The whole alley is alive at night and the restaurants try to get your business and call you in!
Chil Sung Market (칠성시장) - A market full of market stalls and food stalls, particularly go at night. Galbi, intestines, soondae, skewers, fish cakes, etc. stalls and stalls of food! Also, they have a flea market on the weekends! *January and February are very slow months in this market.
Daegu City Tour
Another way to see the city if you are short on time is the Daegu City Tour Bus. The route is as follows: Dong Daegu Station > Daegu Airport > Opera House > Kim Kwang Seok Street > Dong Seong Ro (City Center) > Cultural Alley > Seomun Market > EWorld > Anjirang Gopchang Street > Apsan Lookout > Suseong Pond > Daegu Museum > Dong Daegu Station
Running hours: 0900-1750 (except holidays)
Fare: Adult 10,000 KRW
Student 8,000 KRW
Elderly/Child 6,000 KRW
For more information, check out: www.daegucitytour.com
Daegu has many events and festivals during the year as well, here are a few to note! Note: festival/event days change each year so check their website if you are planning to go!
April: Palgong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival
May: Daegu Colorful Festival cdf.or.kr
Daegu Fashion Jewelry Week dgj.kr
June: Daegu Musical Festival dimf.or.kr
July: Daegu Folk Festival dgff.kr
Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival chimacfestival.com
September: Daegu International Opera Festival www.daeguoperahouse.org
October: Daegu Jazz Festival www.artko19.netto.kr
Daegu Herb Festival www.herbfestival.org
Palgong Mountain Foliage Festival
Food
For more information and restaurant recommendations check out: www.daegufood.go.kr
These foods are not all native to Daegu, but lots of restaurants serve these foods. Not to be biased, but Daegu has some great cooks!
Yuk gae jang - A spicy beef stew topped with numerous vegetables. Not for the ‘I don’t do spicy’ folks out there.
Kal-guk su (Knife Noodles) - Kal-guksu is a Korean noodle dish consisting of handmade, knife-cut (hence, the name) wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl with broth and other ingredients such as zucchini, sesame seeds, and carrots.
Flat Mandu (Flat Dumplings) - very different from the normal dumplings you are probably familiar with, known for their texture, perfect with soy sauce braised chicken or spicy rice cakes.
Gop Chang, Mak Chang (intestines) - the famous Anjirang Gopchang street is full of intestines! The chewy marinated pig intestines are such a treat in Daegu and are famous with the younger generation.
Dak Gang Jung (Fried boneless chicken in sweet or spicy sauce) - essentially the Korean crack chicken! Fried boneless chicken usually 2 kinds of sauces sweet and spicy.
Castella Bread - The most well know Castella is The Daegu Seomun Castella. People stand in lines to get their hands on this bakery item. Known for its freshness from the oven, the huge sponge cake is cut in such exact measurements, it is quite fascinating to see.
Charcoal Bulgogi - Beef ribs and different cuts of meat cooked on a charcoal grill. So good!
So if you plan to come to Daegu, bring an empty stomach!!
*if you have any questions regarding Daegu, leave a comment below! We will be happy to help!
