Daegu Sightseeing Guide

Woobang Tower, also called Daegu Tower, at 202 m is the highest tower in Asia, with a revolving restaurant at the top from where you can get a splendid 360 degree view of the city. The area has recreational facilities and amusement rides, sleigh rides in winter, a flower festival in spring and cultural performances and exhibitions in summer. The Tower Skyway is a cable car that traverses the park, offering visitors an exciting view from the crow’s nest.

The Palgong-san is one of Korea’s most sacred mountains, reputed to have the energy to bring about the reunification of the country. Within Palong-san Provincial Park are a number of temples that people flock to visit. The foremost of these is the ancient Donghwa-sa temple, one of the five major temples of the Chogye order of Buddhism in Korea. The temple is known as the Big Buddha Temple and is surrounded by pagodas and Buddha statues. Nearby is the Great Medicine Buddha Statue in Tongilyak-sa temple. This statue is reputed to be one of the largest original stone Buddhas in the world. The Eunjeok-sa or temple of the hiding king is over 1000 years old. King Wang Kun is said to have hidden in a cave near the temple. While in Palgong-san, try and fit in a trip to Gatbawi, a fabulous peak famous for the Seated Stone Buddha of Gwanbong. Bulrodong Tumulus near Mt. Palgong-san has 211 tombs from the Gaya Kingdom belonging to the 5 th and 6 th centuries.

The Ap-san Park is a spectacular mountain area of great scenic beauty, with streams, springs and hiking trails through the oak forests and the valleys of Keun-gol, Anjirang-gol and Kosan-gol. The entire park has been developed as an entertainment centre with an amusement arcade, cableway and other leisure facilities. Visitors can pay their respects at the Nakdong River Battle Museum, a tiny museum in Ap-san Park, built to honour the civilian martyrs of the Korean War.

Visiting Andong Hahoe Village is quite an experience. The village is known for its Hahoe masks and the Byeolsin Gut mask dances. Another interesting site to visit is the Daegu Yangnyeongsi or Oriental Herbal Medicine Market. This is a quaint alley packed with colourful little shops selling herbal cures of the Yaknyeongsi tradition. Confucian memorial tablets have been preserved at Daegu Hyanggyo, an educational institute started by the Joseon dynasty. Hyangyo is the place to be if you are interested in absorbing traditional Korean culture and Confucian philosophy.

The Daegu World Cup Stadium, with a seating capacity of over 68,000, is the largest Sports Complex in Korea. The stadium is part of the Grand Daegu Park development project and is expected to be multi-recreational and cultural centre. Located at 504 Naehwan-dong, Suseong-gu, the stadium is 11 km from Daegu Airport and 6 km from the railway station.

This is a gourmet paradise, with some exceptional restaurants and a variety of eating out choices. Sample the local delicacy - kalbi and pulogi, which is cow intestines cooked over an open fire.