Banwoldang
Banwoldang is a shopping, restaurant/bars and nightlife area that is like a sprawling maze and at night, is lit up as if its Las Vegas. Most people come here to eat, clothes shop, get a haircut, get coffee and bar hop.
Getting There: The Daegu metro makes a stop at Banwoldang.
Gatbawi
During exams, it’s said that many parents hike to Gatbawi to pray for their children to pass. It’s also a great place to hike. Sitting at the peak of the mountain is a giant rock Buddha sculpture, where you can say a prayer and light incense or place a coin on the rock. You can either hike the stairs or the trail. If you want the more scenic route, take the trail. If you want a workout, take the stairs, it’s an intense climb.
Donghwasa Temple
In Mount Palgongsan, the Donghwasa Temple heralds giant standing Buddha. It’s pretty impressive and similar to Bongeunsa Temple‘s standing Buddha in central Seoul. There’s a beautiful Korean Buddhist temple there, which holds a lantern festival during Buddha’s birthday.
Getting to Donghwasa Temple: From Dongdaegu Train station, exit next to parking lot No. 3 and go to the bus stop located nearby and take Express Bus No. 1 (about 45-min). Get off at entrance of Donghwasa Temple Bus Stop and walk about 8 min to the temple.
Experience a Jjimjilbang
Jjimjilbangs and bathhouses are an interesting cultural experience that you won’t want to miss. A jjimjilbang is a 24-hour bathhouse that allows you to sleep overnight; whereas a Korean sauna/bathhouse is just there for bathing. The waters are generally herbal and all tout medicinal properties to help heal different ailments.
Daegu City Bus Tour
When you feel like you need to know more about Daegu, take the Daegu city bus tour. It makes a round of stops of Daegu’s highlights. During specific seasons, there will be special events like Strawberry Picking or farm tours. Here’s one of the Daegu farm tours (a farm tour, Herbs Hills, Herb street) that we got to do via EPIK.
Getting There: Outside Dongdaegu KTX station, near the taxi pickup/drop-offs