Palgongsan (팔공산)
This is the largest mountain surrounding Daegu. There are two popular routes up the mountain as well as a bus tour.
At the base, you’ll find Donghwasa – a large temple – with a 50 ft stone statue of Buddha. There are also a number of restaurants which use fresh ingredients from the mountain. The peak is accessible by foot without any special gear. The trail is wide in most places and has stairs built over steep or dangerous parts. You should reserve at least 3 hours to complete this.
Directions: To Palgongsan main entrance, cable car, and Donghwasa, take the red Geub-haeng (Express) 1 bus from Dong-Daegu Station or downtown across from the Novotel Hotel. You can catch a bus to the base across from the Novotel Hotel downtown or you can take a bus tour.
Climb to Buddha
You’ll travel up a fairly steep trail and climb hundreds of stone steps which have been laid down my monks. It’s a lot of work but in the end, you’ll come to Gut Ba Wi -a hand stone Buddha carved in the Shilla Dynasty.
You should reserve around 2 hours to complete this. You can take a shot taxi ride to the base of Gut Ba Wi from the base of the trails to the peak or take City Bus No. 131 from Ayanggyo Station.
Palgong Bus tour
Daegu has now started a tour bus has which visits tourist attractions around Palgongsan. The tour bus starts from Dongdaegu Station and visits at Bongmu Park, Guam Farm, Gatbawi, Banjja Yugi Museum, Donghwasa Temple, and Palgongsan.
The buses will stop and spend about 1-2.5 hours at each location. The total tour ranges from 4-8 hours depending on long the tourist wants to customize their trip.
Tourists can take the next bus for moving to the next destination after sightseeing or go to the last destination directly, if they choose. Buses leaves Dongdaegu daily from 10:00am, 12:30pm and 3:00pm in afternoon. The fare for adults is 5000 won and 3000 won for teens/children.
Tickets are available at the Daegu/Gyeongbuk Tourist Information outside of Dongdaegu train station.
Right – Gatbawi Pic – A large Shilla Dynastry handcarved stone Buddha
Apsan
Apsan or Ap Moutain is webbed with hiking trails located about 4.5 km south of downtown. You can get a full body workout and plenty of water with outdoor gyms and freshwater springs scattered along the trails. There’s an abundance of restaurants with fresh herbal ingredients at the bases of the trails to re-fuel you before heading back into the city.
You can stop by the War Memorial Museum of the Nakdong River Battle if you’re not too anxious to head back into Daegu’s busy streets. Bus 910 will take you there. Alternatively, go to Camp Walker and continue to walk south towards until you run into the trails.
Daegu Arboretum (대구수목원)
About 1,000 herbs and trees are planted on an area of 230,000m2. Famous among citizens for educational purposes, it is composed of various gardens including the wild plant garden, rock garden, hydroponics garden, and aromatic plant garden. Other facilities are also provided for citizens’ relaxation. Unlike many conventional parks, Daegu Arboretum’s function is focused on educational use.
The Opening Hours of the Daegu Arboretum, Daegu are different, depending on the season.
- March to May: 9 am to 6 pm
- Sep. and Oct: 9 am to 6 pm
- June to August: 9 am to 7 pm
- Nov to Feb: 9 am to 5 pm
- Closed on Mondays
Directions
-Take a 20-minute walk from Daegok Station of the subway line No. 1.
-Take a ten-minute walk from
* the Samsung Apartments Stop (Bus No. 613),
* the Yucheon-gyo Bridge Stop (Bus No. 601, 608, 636, 650, 655, 665, 836),
* the Goryeo Driving Institute Stop (Bus No. 306, 726).
Suseong Lake (수성못)
Suseong Lake: Located near Apsan mountain, you’ll find a large man-made lake.
Suseong Lake is surrounded by a walking / biking path. Along the path, you’ll find vendors, a large stage area, exercise equipment, a basketball court, tennis courts, and a small amusement park with rides and games.
There are two stations on the lake which rent paddle and row boats. If you don’t want to peddle or row then you can take a captained boat around this oasis. Just tell the taxi driver Sue Sung Moat. It costs about around 3000 won from the Daegu Grand Hotel and it will take about 10 minutes.
Bong Moo Park and Lake
This Lake is much larger than Suseong Lake. The path which surrounds it connects to a network of hiking trails that run though the adjacent forest.
Season permitting, you can hire a driver and boat at the lakeside marina for some waterskiing – a wetsuit will be provided for you at the marina. Around the lake, you’ll find street vendors, a butterfly museum, and Bong Moo Park.
Directions: Tell the taxi driver Young-Shin Hak Gyo (Young-Shin School) or Young-Shin Go Deng Hak Gyo (Young-Shin Elementary School). You’ll turn right just after seeing a sign for Bong Moo Park on the way to the lake.
When you get to the school, continue up the road until you see the lake. It’s around an 8000 won taxi ride from the Grand Hotel. It will take about 20 minutes to get there.