Melo Villareal
Daegu Bucket List: What are the Top Tourist Attractions in Daegu?
Daegu used to be an important city in the Korean economy in the 1960s and 1980s due to the booming motor and electronics industries. The city is nicknamed “Apple City” because of the favorable humid subtropical climate perfect for apple growing. Daegu is also famous for having the hottest summer in Korea, located at the foot of a mountain range and 80 kilometers from the coast.
Due to its geographical location, the city has plenty of parks, museums, mountains, and cultural festivals. Also, because of the city’s location at the confluence of two major rivers in Korea, Seomum Market was born, known across the continent for its fabrics and some delicious street food.
Today, we will tour this unique destination and come up with the best things to do in Daegu.
Seomun Market
Seomum Market is not just about fabrics and street snacks. It is also one of the oldest open markets in Korea, having been around since the Joseon Dynasty and some alleys still use names from that time, including Hogdukkaejeon and Daejeon.
The market features more than 4,000 stores where you can find some unique traditional textile and fabric products as well as silk, linen, satin, cotton, and handicrafts, haberdashery, and silverware.
However, the charm of Seomum Market lies in the delicious street food, especially at night. For foodies, make sure you try out makchan-gui, a grilled abomasum (cow stomach), served with a sauce made of scallions, soybean paste, and peppers.
Palgong Mountain
Situated on North Gyeongsan Province and Daegu’s border is this excellent hiking destination punctuated with beautiful shrines and temples, and food stalls.
But the best off the beaten path is to Donghwasa on the southern slope. The temple found here dates back to the 5th century, and the complex within which the temple is located was built in 1732 after Japanese invasions.
The main hall, called the Deaungjeon, can be accessed via stairs designed like a dragon. You will find many statues inside the hall, including Seokgamonibul, Amitabul, and Yaksayeoraebul.
Daegu Art Museum
Often abbreviated as DAM, Daegu Art Museum is an excellent place for history buffs. It exhibits primarily modern and contemporary pieces and offers a platform to learn more about some of the finest 20th-century Korean artists.
The museum’s third floor features a library and vistas of the city and hills in the background.
The 83 Tower
There is no better place to enjoy Daegu’s colorful city views than at the top of the 83 Tower. The building has an observation deck where you can glimpse the magnificent view of the scintillating city.
To make the experience even more memorable, grab a cup of coffee from one of the coffee shops on the 78th floor.
You can also view the city below on a cable car ride, which you will appreciate to learn that it is entirely free. Stick around in the evening to experience some of the most majestic sunsets you will ever see.
Kim Kwang-Seok Street
This street was named after the legendary Korean singer Kim Kwang-Seok, famous among the Korean public in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2010, more than 20 sculptors, artists, and designers collaborated to build a mural alley for the late singer-songwriter along this alley, which also happened to be where the singer spent five years of his childhood.
The street also has a phone box to make a phone call to your loved ones.
Apsan Park
While the whole of Apsan Park is gorgeous, the main reason we recommend visiting is the cable car that travels over the thick forest and stops at the Apsan Observatory, where you can catch great views of Daegu far below.
There is also a museum in the Nakdong River Museum park, where you can learn a few things about the Korean War.
The ARC
At the junction of Geumho and Nakdong Rivers, you will find a huge upturned blue shell called the ARC. The structure was designed by a New York-based Asymptote studio for the World Expo 2012, staged in South Korea.
Inside the structure, you will find an exhibition about the Four Rivers Restoration Project dedicated to preserving the ecosystem of Nakdong, Han, Yeong San, and Geum and documenting the history and culture of rivers in Korea.
E-world
Situated near the 83-Tower, this theme park is constituted of some of the best things to do in Daegu. The park features numerous rides suitable for adventure-seekers of all ages, many exhibitions, light displays, a sky tram, and various Korean delicacies.
E-World is an excellent place for a family to visit.
Suseong Lake and Water Show
Suseong Lake is one of Daegu’s most visited spots, especially during summer and spring. It is an excellent place to explore and scull in a swan boat and try some of the best Korean meals and traditional products. Walk around the streets and window shop the many stores lining the street.
If you are here between May and October, you will get a chance to witness some unforgettable light shows every evening.
Attend one of the famous festivals
Daegu is known worldwide for hosting some well-known festivals, including the Daegu Water Festival, Lantern Festival, Chimak Chicken, and Beer Festival.
Perhaps the most fascinating is the Chimak Chicken and Beer Festival staged annually in July. And if you are a foodie, you don’t want to miss it as there is usually a wide range of fried chicken.
Daegu Arboretum
You may enjoy the Daegu Arboretum Chrysanthemum Festival for nature lovers, which usually occurs at the end of October and the beginning of November for two weeks.
It is an excellent occasion for families with children as numerous sculptures of believed cartoon figures adorned with blooms.
Jjimjilbang
A jjimjilbang is a large bathhouse found in many Korean cities. These spaces usually have kiln saunas, heated and cold pools, steam rooms, massage tables, showers, and Jacuzzis.
Jjimjilbangs are a great place to pamper yourself, but the catch is, you need to be completely naked. The good news is, they are usually segregated by gender.
Bullo-Dong Ancient Tomb Park
If you want a place where you can walk around and think deeply after a long day full of excursions, take a short trip to the Bullo-dong Tomb Park.
Stretching 5 kilometers, the cemetery is the final resting place for many renowned figures from ancient times. It has more than 200 tombs and is officially South Korea’s first-ever tomb park.
Gatbawi
Located on top of Palgong Mountain is this large-scale Buddha statue called Gatbawi, which can be accessed through a challenging hike from Gwanamsa Temple.
This statue dates back to the 9th century and is listed under the Korean National Treasure.
Tour Daegu
This city bus tour should be included in your list of the best things to do in Daegu. The double-decker hop-on-hop-off bus will take you through some of the city’s best attractions, including the Modern Culture Alley, Kim Kwang-Seok Road, Suseong Lake Resort, E-World Duru Park, among others.
Visit the Cathedral of Daegu
The Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, also locally known as the Cathedral of Daegu, is a Catholic Church located in the Daegu part of North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
It is a temple that follows the Roman or Latin rite and functions as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Daegu (Archidioecesis Taeguensis), created in 1962 by bull. “Fertile Evangelii semen” by Pope John XXIII.
The present building was built between 1902 and 1903 and remodeled when elevated to cathedral status in 1911. Pope John Paul II visited the temple in May 1984.
Our Top Hotel Picks for Deagu, South Korea
Daegu Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your vacation to Daegu, we listed the best places to visit and things to do for your ultimate Daegu itinerary. We also listed some of the best Daegu travel and tour packages, as well as excellent flight deals and accommodation.
Tripadvisor has a list of the best Daegu vacation packages. You may check out Airbnbs listings in Daegu for cheap but high-quality accommodation.
Searching for the best Daegu hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of cheap Daegu hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about fantastic tourist attractions in Daegu? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
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