Places to Go in and around Daegu
In Daegu * Arboretum
| *
Daegu
City Hall's Tourism Guide Outside of Daegu *
Hae'insa
|
Arboretum: The Arboretum has just opened (spring '02), and of course that means that a visit in five years will be much more interesting than today. But, it is going to be great, and it's very very pleasant even now. There aren't too many people that have discovered it yet, either, so it's very peaceful to walk around almost by yourself. The grounds are huge! It opens at 9 am and closes between 5 and 7 depending on the time of year. My favorite parts were the cactus and succulent greenhouse, listening to wind in the cottonwoods, and the herb and aromatic gardens. (Be aware there are some mistakes in labeling, I found tarragon labeled as honey suckle- can you believe that? Who could mistake a flowering vine with a sickening sweet smell for a leafy herb on long stalks primarily used for cooking with chicken? And yes, I did switch them, but who knows, they may switch it back!) It's free to get in. You can take the subway to Daegok, and walk for twenty minutes (Daegu Arboretum in Korean is "Daegu Soo Moke Wun" (´ë±¸¼ö¸ñ¿ø). It's about a 15 minute walk. Or you can take buses 601, 608, 650, 636, 306 or 613. You'd better tell them where you want to get off. You won't be able to see signs from the bus. The phone number of the Arboretum is 642-4200.
The Arboretum is still quite new. As you can see below, it has a long way to go before it's lush and wild, but it still has beauty, and will grow better every year. | |
|
Apsan: "Front Mountain" is located along the south border of Daegu city. The mountain is crisscrossed with hiking trails, and easily accessible from anywhere in Daegu. There is a small dissapointing temple, a gondola to the top, and outdoor exercise bars in several locations. There are two major access areas- one is just to the east of Daeduk Culture Center, with a parking lot accessible right off of the Apsan Circular Road and one is sort of across from Meereenay Mansion (follow the road behind the small farm fields across from the apartment buildings and also on the far side of the circular road). There are small outdoor cafes of a dried squid and hotdog variety in several locations. A pleasant walk is along the Shinchung Riverside Park then across the road and up a small street into Apsan Park. Follow the line of ajummas and ajoshis selling things on the street, and of course the heavy wool socks of the hikers.
Boengmu Park: This park is located on the way to Palgoengsan. You can get there on bus 104 or 105. From the main road it's a good 10 minute walk in past a few parking lots to the park itself. The park has great hiking, mountain biking trails (downhill and cross country), outdoor exercise equipment, a lake where you can pay to go waterskiing (rental wetsuits available), tennis and sepak tekraw courts, a small restaurant and the occasional concert or other event.
Daegu Confucian Academy: There are rituals here in the spring and fall, at the main hall. The hall was built in 1601 and is listed as Daegu's Cultural Property Material Number 1. Sometimes they hold classes in Hanja (Korean Chinese characters) and lectures at the academy. Sometimes young people have traditional wedding ceremonies at this site as well. 422-8700
Daegu National Museum: The museum is located in Susunggu across from Kyungbuuk High School. It houses 2,000 relics from this area. There are also special exhibitions from time to time. Sometimes small free concerts, demos and traditional games can be seen in the plaza in front of the museum. 768-6051. If you like museums, there is an entire page devoted to museums on this site. Please check it out.
Duryu Park: Inside of Duryu Park, The Art and Culture Hall (606-6121) complex hosts exhibitions and concerts. All over the park there are outdoor performances in the summer. There is a parking lot where rollerblades and skates can be rented. Look around and find a swimming pool, soccer field, stadium, hiking trails, a small Buddhist temple, great cherry blossoms in the spring, Oobang Tower Land amusement park (try the view from the top of the Tower at least once! It's free to go up to the observation floor and beer is only about 5,000 won a bottle on the restaurant floor. Going up the day after a rain will make for haze free viewing). There is a lake that you can walk around, and there are (except in the coldest weather) lots of great people watching opportunities. Map of Duryu Park
Gukchaebosang Memorial Park (the park with the big bell) If you walk towards the river (east) from downtown you can find this pleasant park. It has plentiful benches, and is especially popular for skateboarders (near the bell), teenage couples (on the benches under the trees), hip-hop dance practice (everywhere) and also sports outdoor performances especially on the weekends. During the summer the Daegu City holds a bell ringing ceremony here every weekend- around 3 pm. The participants all wear bad fake stubble and colorful photogenic Joseon (Chosun) Dynasty costumes. 429-1569
Gyungsam-gamyung Park This park is next to Cine Asia. It's got a big traditional reception hall in the center, a stream with a fountain and lots of benches for you to rest and watch the people go by. The park is located on the historical site of the Gyungsangbuukdo governor's office. There is an old rock sign near the entrance of the park that notified visitors that it's time to dismount from their horses, so that they will not run into the governor and be physically looking down on him. Check out Daegu's Tangible Culture Assets number 1 and 2 while you visit. 429-1569
Keimyung University Daemyungdong Campus: This campus is located in central Daegu, and it's old and full of character. Wander around the ivy/brick/moss/spreading pine trees campus when you need a quick break from the city (or a break from the many great drinking spots near the campus). The area around the campus is somewhat artsy (esp. as you head towards Myungduk Intersection) and includes a couple of gay bars. Don't know exactly where they are, so if you do, could you drop me a line?
Palgoeng-san: Palgoeng Mountain is accessible by bus. Bus number 104 terminates at Katbawi and bus number 105 terminates at Donghwa-sa. Donghwa-sa is the largest temple complex near Daegu, in fact it's one of the biggest in Korea. The complex includes the largest Buddha statue in Asia (however, a new statue is underway in Bodhgaya, India which is going to make the Statue of Liberty look like a dwarf). At the same bus stop as Donghwa-sa you can take a gondola to one of Palgoengsan's many peaks. Or hike the pleasant trail up the ridgeline and access the peak on your own power. Katbawi is one of the best places in Daegu city, the trails near Katbawi will take you to several smaller temples and hermitages, and following a trail to the top gives you access to a large praying platform where there is often a chanting monk and a nearly 360 degree view. Try the medicinal tea sold in little shacks next to the trail!
Susung Lake: Susung Lake (located in Susung Gu) is a popular hang out for couples having 'romantic' dates. There are hundreds of coffee shops and restaurants lining the lake (Glass Castle, across from Hoban offers atmosphere, views of the lake, good service and the menu includes excellent red snapper, steak, fajitas and the like). In better weather two sides of the lake are lined by Pojangmacha (drinking tents) doing a lively trade. Boats can be rented to drift around the lake, and next door is a small amusement park.
Yakjunggolmoke (tradish
medicine market) This street starts across from the police station downtown.
Find the police station, cross the street and walk down the street (you'll be
paralleling the subway line 2 construction street and behind Donga Shopping).
There are numerous shops selling medicinal herbs, mixed medicines, roots, berries,
barks, peels, antlers, and other parts of animals you may not consider medicinal.
In addition to the pharmacies there are a large number of Hanuiwun or Oriental
Medicine clinics, and several shops that specialize in Ginseng. As you walk
west, on your right hand side don't miss the exhibition hall. There are
exhibitions on the second and third floors. It's free. For more
information call 253-4729. There is a festival every year on this
street in April or May.
Last Gasp
If you need help, Daegu Tourist Information Center is in Duryu Park. They are open from 9-6 and very helpful in English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. They also have a library and free maps and booklets they can hand you. 627-8900. There aren't a lot of tourists here in Daegu, so these folks have plenty of time to help you. Don't hesitate to call them. That's what they are paid for! www.daegutour.or.kr
When my brother came to visit and I was busy at school I sent him on a tour with them and he enjoyed it. Reportedly they have good English and keep a good pace on the tour. He would have been happy to go back for one of the other courses, but I kept him too busy!
Best
of all, the Foreign Information Service at Daegu City Hall (429-2854) is
staffed with three women who can tell you ANYTHING you need to know about how
to live here... like how to get cable hooked up or how to get a Korean credit
card. Ask them to send you their monthly newsletter on living in Daegu!
