Daegu travel - South Korea, Asia

Attractions and sightseeing spots in Daegu

Seomun Market

• Daegu's largest traditional market, offering a wide variety of merchandise, street food, and cultural performances.
• Recently opened a popular night market that operates from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.

Apsan Park

• A scenic mountain park with hiking trails, a cable car, and panoramic views of the city.
• Home to the Daegu Tower, a 202-meter tall observation tower with a revolving observation deck.

Donghwasa Temple

• A historic Buddhist temple dating back to 493 AD, known for its beautiful pagodas and stone sculptures.
• A popular destination for those interested in Korean Buddhist culture and architecture.

Suseong Lake

• A picturesque lake surrounded by walking paths, a wooden boardwalk, and a visual music fountain.
• Offers a relaxing environment for strolling, boating, and enjoying the natural scenery.

Palgongsan Mountain

• A famous mountain with hiking trails and the Gatbawi Buddha, a large stone Buddha statue.
• Provides scenic views and a peaceful escape from the city.

Gangjeong Goryeongbo Weir (The ARC)

• A unique architectural landmark designed by renowned architect Hani Rashid.
• Situated at the confluence of the Nakdong and Geumho rivers, it offers a scenic spot for cycling and enjoying the views.

Transportation options

Airport Transfers

• Daegu International Airport is the main airport serving Daegu, located in the western part of the city.
• Airport limousine buses run directly from the airport to major hotels and bus terminals in Daegu. The journey takes around 30-40 minutes.
• Taxis are also available from the airport, with the fare to downtown Daegu costing around 20,000-25,000 KRW.

Public Transit

• Daegu has an extensive subway system called the Daegu Metro, with 3 lines covering major areas of the city. Trains run from around 5:30am to midnight.
• Buses are another convenient way to get around Daegu. There are local city buses, express buses, and intercity buses to other parts of South Korea.

Taxis

• Taxis are widely available in Daegu and are a good option for shorter trips or late at night when public transit is less frequent.
• Fares start at 2,800 KRW for the first 2 km, then 100 KRW for every 144 meters after that. There are additional charges for late night, holidays, and tolls.
• Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so having your destination written in Korean is helpful.

Ride-Sharing

• Kakao T is the most popular ride-hailing app in Daegu, similar to Uber. It allows you to book and pay for taxis or private drivers.

Daegu's weather and climate

Temperatures

• Daegu has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons.
• Average high temperatures range from 5.8°C (42°F) in January to 31°C (88°F) in August.
• Average low temperatures range from -3.7°C (25°F) in January to 22.6°C (73°F) in August.
• Winters can be quite cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below -13°C (9°F).

Rainfall

• Daegu experiences a rainy season from June to August, with July and August being the wettest months.
• July has an average of 225 mm (8.9 inches) of rain, while August averages 245 mm (9.6 inches).
• The driest months are January and December, with around 20 mm (0.8 inches) of rain each.
• The average annual rainfall is 1080 mm (42.5 inches).

Other Weather Patterns

• Daegu has a relatively high humidity year-round, averaging 61-80%.
• Winters are sunny, but snow is quite rare due to the city's southeastern location and low winter precipitation.
• Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, with several sunny days.
• Summers are hot, muggy and rainy, with periods of heavy rainfall. Temperatures can reach as high as 35°C (95°F) or more.

Events, festivals, happening in Daegu

Spring (March to May)

• Daegu International Fibre Expo (March): A trade fair showcasing the latest trends and technologies in the textile industry.
• Biseul Mountain Azalea Festival (April): A celebration of the blooming azalea flowers on Biseul Mountain.
• Palgong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival (April): Marking the arrival of spring with cherry blossom viewing on Palgong Mountain.

Summer (June to August)

• Colorful Dalgubeol Lantern Festival (July): A lantern festival held in Duryu Park to celebrate Buddha's birthday, featuring a mass release of lanterns.
• Daegu Chimac Festival (July): A festival celebrating the popular pairing of fried chicken and beer, with food stalls, performances, and cooking contests.

Fall (September to November)

• Daegu International Musical Festival (September): An annual festival showcasing musical performances, workshops, and competitions.
• Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival (October): Celebrating the history and culture of traditional Korean medicine at Daegu's Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Market.

Winter (December to February)

• Daegu Lantern Festival (December): A winter lantern festival illuminating the city's streets and parks with colorful light installations.
• Daegu Fireworks Festival (October): A spectacular fireworks display over the Nakdong River.

Some other notable events include the Daegu Folk Festival in May, showcasing traditional Korean music and dance, and the Daegu International Musical Festival in September, featuring musical performances and competitions.

Top shopping destinations in Daegu for local crafts and souvenirs

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Market

• This is the largest traditional herbal medicine market in Asia, dating back to the 15th century.
• Browse stalls selling a wide variety of Korean medicinal herbs, teas, and health products.
• Look for traditional Korean ginseng, red ginseng products, and herbal remedies as unique souvenirs.

Seomun Market

• Daegu's largest traditional market, offering a diverse range of goods from clothing and accessories to household items.
• Find traditional Korean handicrafts, ceramics, and textiles at the market's specialty craft stalls.
• Try local street food and snacks as you explore the lively market atmosphere.

Palgongsan Mountain Craft Village

• Located at the base of Palgongsan Mountain, this village is known for its traditional Korean craft workshops.
• Watch artisans demonstrate techniques for making pottery, wood carvings, and other handmade items.
• Purchase unique, locally-made souvenirs like ceramic tea sets, wooden figurines, and traditional fans.

Daegu Duryu Park

• The park's cultural center has a gift shop selling a variety of Korean souvenirs and crafts.
• Browse for items like traditional Korean fans, silk scarves, and decorative paper products.
• The park also hosts seasonal festivals and markets where you can find additional local handicrafts.

Daegu International Airport

• The airport's duty-free shops offer a wide selection of Korean beauty products, snacks, and souvenirs.
• Pick up ginseng, Korean cosmetics, traditional teas, and other last-minute gifts before your departure.

Day trips, side excursions from Daegu

Palgongsan Mountain

• Located just outside of Daegu, Palgongsan Mountain is a popular hiking destination offering scenic trails and beautiful natural scenery.
• Visitors can hike to the Gatbawi Buddha, a large stone Buddha statue, or explore the Palgongsan Craft Village at the mountain's base.

Haeinsa Temple

• This historic Buddhist temple, located about 1.5 hours from Daegu, is home to the Tripitaka Koreana - the world's most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures carved onto over 80,000 wooden printing blocks.
• The temple complex and its natural surroundings make for an interesting day trip from Daegu.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village

• This traditional Korean village, about 2 hours from Daegu, is known for its well-preserved Joseon dynasty-era architecture and culture.
• Visitors can explore the historic homes, attend cultural performances, and learn about traditional Korean life.

Gyeongju

• The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is located around 1.5 hours from Daegu and is home to numerous historical sites and cultural attractions.
• Key sights include Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and the Gyeongju National Museum.