Overview
Daegu city is located in the southeastern region of South Korea, just 1 hour north of Busan. The Nakdong and Kumho rivers join and run along the city and its surrounding mountains make it famous for hot summers. With 2.5 million residents, it’s the 4th largest city in the country and it’s notable for being a production center of textiles and computer chips. The region has a strong dialect and a history of more conservative politics, though the people are friendly and hospitable. For some it’s an ideal-sized city: it’s not as overwhelming and busy as Seoul and rent is cheaper, and yet there are still big city events and clubs for all kinds of activities.
Nature
Daegu has some excellent parks in and around the city. For those who are interested in hiking, Palgongsan has a long ridge with plenty of peaks for long day trips. Nestled in the center, Donghwasa Temple has a giant Buddha statue and cable car with excellent food at the top, and there’s Gatbawi (scholar’s rock) where parents often hike up and light a candle to pray for their children’s academic success. Located almost in the city, you’ll find Apsan Mountain with an easier hike or cable car ride to an observation deck and a panoramic view. For those into more leisurely strolls, check out popular Susongmot Lake and dine at classy restaurants or cafes, or go for a romantic duck boat ride. Another gorgeous area is the Daegu Sumokwon, a large reclaimed conservation arboretum with manicured trees and gardens, great for walking in various seasons.
Urban Life
If you’re into shopping, the downtown area (Donseongro) has it all. There’s several large department stores, window shopping with trendy shops and alleyways with great prices on vintage wear. You’ll see people out everyday of the week shopping or hanging out near the mainstage area watching performances, and young people hanging out at all hours in the busy clubbing area. There’s a brand new ferris wheel on top of a building called Spark Land and plenty of places to eat. The famous traditional Chinese medicine street (Yangyeongsi) greets the visitor with curious sights and smells. Nearby Kim Kwang-seok Street is a popular artsy tourist spot with murals, statues of the late folk-singer. Have a listen to busking musicians and stop over at Daedo Brewery for a craft beer. Seomun Market on the west side is similar in size to Namdaemun in Seoul, and has a lof fun food creations to try out at the weekend night market (be prepared for long lines).
Events
Daegu has some fun events worth checking out. The Chicken and Beer festival in Duryu Park brings lots of local vendors together with big music performances. Check out Daegu Tower and the Zoo while you’re roaming around the large park. Suseong Lake often has festivals and craft exhibitions. The body-painting festival, lantern festival, and opera festivals also attract tourists from around the world.
Summary
From Daegu you can get a bus to Gyeongju and visit the relics of the Silla Kingdom. Another nearby national treasure is the Buddhist tripitaka Koreana located at Haeinsa in Gayasan National Park. In short, Daegu is a very livable city with easy access to the most famous mountains and beaches in the country. Your rent money will buy you a larger place and it’s not hard to find communities with shared interests.
