Daegu

Eco-friendly travel guide to Daegu advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Daegu, South Korea.

View of south eastern Daegu from Apsan Park

Air quality: 2.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 4 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4.5 / 5

Public transportation: 4.5 / 5

Parks: 5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3 / 5

Locals' English level: 2 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$20 - $150

Budget per day: US$40 - $200

Responsible Travel

Daegu, a beautiful metropolitan city of South Korea, is a growing industrial hub for the production of high-tech facilities as well as the fashion industry. Daegu with a total of 3,163,161 tourists in the year 2015 according to the South Korea Tourism Statistics, is a popular destination for several reasons such as business, environmental projects, for its culture and rich history, relics of Buddha, and attracts especially K-Pop fans as it is the birthplace of V (lead of BTS), Scarlet group. Apart from enjoying its scenic and cultural beauty, it is important to be a responsible tourist as well. It doesn’t take much to contribute to eco-friendly travel. All it requires is a few steps of responsibility stirred with love. Here are a few ways you can contribute to a sustainable environment while traveling to Daegu.

The streets of Daegu are bustling with buses, cars, and metros. It would be far more eco friendly to walk or use a bicycle. Though the main roads connect tourist destinations with the city making a clear path, the alleys of Daegu will take you back in time and unravel to you how the locals have lived one generation after another.
Instead of booking private cars, explore this metropolitan city by taking the metro, buses and other public transportation means.
Who doesn’t love the expensive touch of branded companies? But when taking a fashion item from Daegu for friends or family, opt for the local companies. The shoemaking industry is already flourishing along with the clothing lines, attracting companies from around the world. Yet, the local brands are cheaper than international names, with the same great quality. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed at all!
If you want to take a memento back to your home, try buying handmade souvenirs from souvenir shops or the street markets. By doing so, you’ll not only take with you the real touch of this city but also help support the local artisans.
Before shopping in the street markets, if you don’t have a cloth or paper bag, buy a cloth or paper bag or jute bag for shopping. That should be the first on your To-Do List. As the South Korean government has put a ban on plastic bags for the welfare of the environment and has enabled the use of single-use recyclable plastic bags, it’s better to use paper or cloth bags since you can use it again and again and it’ll feel less heavy in your arms than the downward tension of plastic handles.
Prefer staying in green eco-friendly cottages, hostels, or hotels over 5-star hotels. This is because these nature-friendly hotels use solar power operated appliances over electricity, helping save non-renewable resources for sustainable future generations. Also, you’ll feel closer to nature which is a beautiful feeling itself.

Air Quality and Pollution

Like many other metropolitan cities in the world, the air quality of Daegu (South Korea) is poor, with PM 2.5 as the average real-time Air Quality Index of the city. If you don’t know what PM2.5 means, the abbreviation PM stands for Particulate Matters such as tiny water droplets, dust particles, pollen grains, etc. which get suspended in the clouds and contribute to the ozone layer and global warming. PM2.5 indicates fine materials that cause hazy air and unclean vision at high levels.

Air Quality Index of Daegu (or rather the whole of South Korea) is PM2.5, and according to scientists, increasing levels can cause serious respiratory diseases, mental stress, and even cancer. Koreans have also been closely linked to Parkinson’s disease. The reason for such a disastrous level of air-pollution is that nearly the whole of Daegu runs on fossil-fuels. From diesel cars to accommodations with no solar-power availability, and wide use of air conditioners, Daegu is contributing more and more to ozone depletion, emission of greenhouse gases, and eventually global warming.

To protect their health the local citizens made it common to wear masks all before the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Pollution-masks block the PM2.5 particles from entering the body through the nose. Therefore, we recommend and urge our readers to contribute to healthy and eco-friendly traveling as much as possible.

Go for green hotels and eco-friendly cottages. They use appliances run by solar power which contributes to less or no greenhouse gas emission. Borrow a bicycle, walk or go for public transportation means instead of private tourist cars. The environment of Daegu is suitable for outdoor walks and exercising until a person has difficulty breathing. If so, it is recommended to go for easier exercises outdoors.

Respect the Culture

As much as Daegu in the present day is a leading industrial hub, it is also rich in culture and preserves its heritage gracefully. Daegu, which was pronounced formerly as Taegu in the Korean accent, literally means ‘Large Hill’. Greater Daegu which was a transportation and connection hub was prehistorically a part of the Mumun Period till the 5th century when the Three Kingdoms of Daegu which mainly consisted of Silla and Goguryeo, and Baekje. Unlike places with a constrictive mindset, the people of Daegu have a broader mindset despite being proud of their traditional values.

You can wear any type of clothing that you want as long as it does not seem triggering to other people around you. However, be cautious as Daegu has extensively strict street cleanliness and waste management policy. The locals are always welcoming with warm smiling faces when you want to learn about the Korean culture, and even go up to helping you with accommodations.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Daegu, rich in cultural heritage and also a modernized mindset, you won’t miss out on anything in Daegu. From visiting famous Buddhist relics to accommodations that make you feel at home or camping in the open nature, market places where you can find the best street food, and restaurants that serve traditional Korean food, here is the list of TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN DAEGU! Hold on, because that’s not all! We will discuss in depths about the many exciting places awaiting your presence as we proceed on to how you can become an eco-friendly sustainable traveler in Daegu.

Alive Aquarium Daegu – Located in Sincheon-dong, Dong-gu, the Alive Museum Aquarium was featured by National Geographic Channel and many times. It is bigger than what one might expect it to be. You will find a wide range of species and breeds of marine life. They perform shows which feature a mermaid among the marine animals. You can also try feeding guinea pigs, turtles, and birds.
Daegu Art Museum – The Daegu Art Museum is supported by the Daegu Municipal Cooperation. Through illuminations and exhibitions, it portrays the progress made in the field of Art in Daegu. Art lovers can also buy a journal or a book related to certain artistic topics.
Daegu Samsung Lions Park – Having the capacity to hold more than 20,000 people at a time, the Daegu Samsung Lions Park is home to the Korean Baseball Team- Samsung Lions. If you are lucky enough to have a baseball match during your visit to Daegu, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this multi-purpose stadium. You’ll surely love it.
Seomun Market – One of the most bustling and crowded places you are going to witness in Daegu. It is the oldest market in Daegu and you can find anything one has to buy- from clothes and fashion items to items needed for making clothes, traditional and modern Korean street food, home decor items, and other accessories.
83 Tower – Standing 500ft tall, the 83 Tower will give you a beautiful view of the city. It is an 83 floored building radio tower, and the top part which is octagonally shaped has a cafe and Sky Lounge offering a beautiful night view of the city of Daegu.
Daegu E-World – The Daegu E-World is built in a European architectural plan. There are lots of rides you can enjoy, the most popular ones are the –Boomerang, Sky Drop, Sky Jump(from the 83 towers), and mega Spin. It is beautifully decorated at night due to all the colorful lightings which go even around the cherry blossom trees. Be sure to check out the dates when the rides are open because some of the rides stay closed on the weekdays.
Yayasan National Park – The Gayasan National Park is located on the top of the Gaya Mountains. It is a religious place and hosts one of the most sacred temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, called the Haeinsa. You can learn a lot about their tales and beliefs from this place.
Kim-Gwangseok Street –Kim Kwang-Seok was a famous South Korean folk-rock singer who was born in Daegu. The government of Daegu named a street after him to commemorate the love people had for this singer. The walls of the alleys and buildings are painted with beautiful murals and art scenes. The place is peaceful and walking through these alleys you shall get a peaceful happy vibe that puts a smile on your face.
Donghwasa – Doghwasa or Donghwasa Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. There are peaceful flower gardens, fountains a beautiful view of the sky after the long Buddha statue. People like to stay here as the environment is very calm and soothing.
Palgongsan Cable Car – Palgongsan Cable Car is the most easiest and comfortable way for a breathtaking view of Mt. Palgongsan. On the top, there is a small eatery and cafe to make you warm in the chilling heights.

Donghwasa, a Buddhist temple in the northern Daegu

Explore

Daegu has a rich cultural heritage, and it has also made a huge progress in industrial and modern developments. It has changed from a developing country in 1993 to a fully developed country by 2007. While visiting Daegu, you can explore its city parks, beautiful streets, national museums and famous landmarks. Also, keep in mind how to support nature and the locals by being a responsible traveller while enjoying.

City Parks

Duryu Park – Located in the Duryu-dong (dong means a neighborhood or a sub-municipal administrative level) of the Daseo-gu (gu meaning administrative unit or district in South Korea) it is a huge park with blooming cherry blossom trees during the autumnal season. The most distinguishing and popular feature of Duryu Park is the rock-cement bridge. Events such as body painting and flying lanterns take place on the bridge attracting locals and tourists. In a bustling city with poor air quality, this park serves a better environment for any activity such as exercising, picnic, jogging, swimming, baseball, basketball, and a lot more. Those people who receive peace of mind in such a calm and scenic environment can also visit the two Buddhist worship places and the Osaek Fountain for the Christians.

Apsan Park – If the idea of hiking, climbing a mountain to explore its wilderness, visiting a museum, and/or having a first-person aerial view of the city via Apsan Cable Car from the top of a mountain excites you, then you should visit the Apsan Park, ‘cause you can do all of these hear! Isn’t that exciting? You can also visit the Nakdong River valley Museum which houses artifacts worth lots of historical values and information from the Korean Battle.

Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park – Built in the centre of the busy city of Daegu, Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park is a peaceful little area that gives you a vivid view and feels of traditional Korean architecture. The emerald-colored building represents a historic administrative structure. To know more about its history and the intertwining history of Daegu and South Korea, you can attend the cultural show that the caretaking authority puts on every weekend. Otherwise, it is just a peaceful place to sit and enjoy your bubble tea listening to good music.

Dongchon Amusement Park – One of the very few natural villages in Daegu, Dongchon Amusement Park is built on Dong-gu. A small lake with cute solid colored boats having the shapes of a duck, surrounded with cherry-blossom trees, is a perfect getaway if you’re feeling too stressed. Riding on the boats in the middle of crystal clear lake water will give anyone a beautiful way to spend time with your family, friend, child, or your lover.

Tourists gawking over the view from Apsan Park

National Parks

National Bond Compensation movement Memorial Park – The National Bond Compensation Movement Memorial Park commemorates the historical treaty that was made between Korea and the invading Japanese empire in the year 1907. It is one of the most important historical monuments in the full of Korea. Located in the heart of Daegu it is also called the “Gukchae Park” in the local language. It is beautifully decorated with light and locals love to spend time here.

Dalseong National Park – Dalseong Park is a small zoo that holds a small variety of tropical animals; however, it has been built on one of the earliest fortifications of the country ranging back to the time of The Three Kingdoms. It has a rich diversity of flora and can be a perfect family destination on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Kids usually love this place.

Upo Wetlands – South Korea is a south-east country surrounded by the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Daegu is a landlocked city lying in the valley, because of which there are local typhoons in the middle of the year. The summers are hot, mushy, and sweaty while the winters are cold but dry. Upo Wetlands offer as a wild habitation and migration ground for birds and wild trees and weeds. Bird watching can be a recreational and educational activity. Only does Upo wetlands support the local farmers and fisherman but it also provides shelter to the rare species of Taiga-Bean Goose and the White-naped Crane.

A reflection of Upo Wetlands

Beaches

Muchangpo Beach – Only 196 km far from the landlocked city of Daegu, you can visit Muchangpo Beach by either train or bus which takes around 4-5 hours. The walk to the beach is very beautiful with stones and shells lying around. You can even enjoy some delicious seafood by visiting the restaurants lining the sea line.

Haeundae Beach – This beach in Busan is located 94 km away from Daegu. The fastest and cheapest way to reach Haeundae Beach is by taking a bus; it takes only an hour and a few minutes to reach there. The beach is very popular in the whole of Korea and generally stays busy throughout the year as various festive-seasons are held on it.

Tongyeong – Tongyeong-si, an important port and city in South Korea has located 149.9 km from Daegu. It has 151 small islands surrounding it out of which only 41 are inhabited. Excitingly, you can travel to these islands by ferry coaches which take only a few minutes. There are many mountains that drop right into the sea. Although the cliffs are rugged and dangerous, it creates a scenic beauty worth taking away a breath! Make sure to visit this relaxing site by bus that takes a maximum time of 2 hours which is the fastest and cheapest.

Pohang – Similar to Tongyeong-si, Pohang-si is a seaport in South Korea. Several numbers of trains travel each day from Pohang to Daegu. You can also take a bus which takes around 1.5 hours to reach from Daegu to Pohang. There are also some artistic abstract sculptures around the shoreline of the sea. It’s quite peaceful and can be a perfect destination for just relaxing.

The beautiful Haeundae Beach

Landmarks

Kim Gwangseok Street – Kim-Gwang was a popular folk singer from the genre of pop and rock in South Korea. He was born in Daegu but was raised in Seoul. Therefore a street in Daegu was named after him to commemorate his influence. The street is gorgeously designed with artistic murals and paintings all over the walls of shops and alleys.

83 Tower – It is an eighty-three storied radio tower that gives a scenic panoramic view of the entire city from the top floor of the tower, which also has a cafeteria, eatery, lounge, and other enjoyments. It is a part of the E-World, a characteristic landmark of Daegu.

The Arc – The ARC stands for Artistry of the River Culture or Architecture of the River Culture. Hani Rashid, the creator of the ARC, has put in a lot of metaphors to this futuristic architecture. The shape resembles the skipping stones of the river and the scales resemble the jumping fish. This is a metaphor that shows the city of Daegu always moving forward. In the night, the scales of the architecture change colors to blue, green, red, and purple. It is a cultural center with rooms that show various displays of paintings, sculptures, and art.

Oriental Medicine Cultural Centre – Daegu Yangyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine was built in the 9th century of the Chosun Dynasty. Visitors find it extremely interesting and intriguing to know how ancient Korean traditional medicine using herbs and shrubs of different varieties were used to treat patients not only in Korea but also in other Southeast Asian countries such as China India and even foreign countries such as Russia and Europe. The entry is free and the center opens at 9 a.m. certain small centers within the museum itself offer varieties of toys and traditional clothing to make visitors feel the touch of ancient Korea. It also has a flea market where you can support the small local craftsmen by buying little handmade showpieces or a stall where you can dress up like a traditional Korean.

Daegu National Museum – Daegu National Museum is located in the Hwanggeum-dong, Suseong-gu of Daegu. Although named as a National Museum, it is not so enormous in the area and one should finish it within a couple of hours. Although most of the artifacts are labeled in English however it is not described well. In a national museum, you do not understand what an artifact holds is worth for, it is similar to window shopping. Therefore it is advisable to take a local guide or an audio guide to understand the museum better.

Gatbawi Buddha – The Gatbawi Buddha statue is located at Mt. Palong in Gyeonsan. This 13 feet tall rock sculpture of Lord Buddha with a six-inch tall hat is believed to grant the wishes of those who prayed with the whole heart and soul. It was made by the legend Uiheyon during the Silla Dynasty of the Three Kingdom Period and according to the folk tales, it is believed that a crane came every night to guard him while he was building the statue.

The iconic 83 tower

Museums

Daegu National Museum: It is located in the Hwanggeum-dong, Suseong-gu of Daegu. Although named as a National Museum, it is not so enormous in the area and one should finish it within a couple of hours. Although most of the artefacts are labelled in English however it is not described well. In a national museum, you do not understand what an artefact holds is worth for; it is similar to window shopping. Therefore it is advisable to take a local guide or an audio guide to understand the museum better.

Daegu Art Museum: The Daegu Art Museum holds a rich collection of portraits, paintings, mini-sculptures and handmade accessories or art made by the local artisans of Daegu. It was opened recently on 2011, and is also an exhibition of the changing art cultures globally through exchange between ancient civilizations. It is a great place to learn about history while enjoying the magnificent art work.

Kyungpook National University Museum: The Kyungpook National University opened its museum on the 13th anniversary of its establishment on 1995. It exhibits the collection and research of cultural relics along with modern changes from prehistoric times. The University also has its own Art Museum that displays artistic thoughts from around the world.

Wolgok History Museum : Surrounded by cherry blossom trees, it a peaceful environment. Although it is basically a park, it displays the old Korean traditional houses and architectures with little displays of ancient potteries and household items. It also holds a statue of General Wolgok.

Dongje Gallery Dalseong-gun: The Dongje Gallery of Dalseong-gun is a quite peaceful art gallery where you can enjoy coffee and exclusive traditional style Korean tea while seemingly looking at the displays. You can also buy souvenirs from there. The cherry blossom flowers during the spring season.

Daegu Art Museum

Eat

Nothing makes a tourist more interested and excited than trying out the traditional and local cuisine of the state. South-East Asian countries have almost the same type of cuisine. Rice is served as the basic/staple food along with gimmchi which is a fermented sauce, salted seafood including dried fishes, cooked vegetables, pot-stew, soup, and steamed meat.

A true Korean plate can never go to the tables without rice, kimchi, soup, and cooked vegetables. Daegu also serves international cuisines of different famous countries such as America, Russia, China, and even India. You can find McDonald's restaurant and also traditional local restaurants that serve typical Korean dishes, both in Daegu.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Sopung-ga – With a customer rating of 3.7 stars and located in the Dusan-dong, Suseong-gu, it serves Korean traditional food. They serve unique Korean side dishes which are of good quality and amount. the restaurant stays busy on Saturdays because family members and even other people like to spend their time enjoying the ancient delicacies.

Cheongdamdon – With 3.8 customer ratings this restaurant serves Korean traditional food and is located in Suseong-gu, Daegu, this restaurant hosts individual dining rooms with circular dining tables and max around a heater just like how people in ancient Korea would have their food. The food tastes extremely good however there is no option for takeaway or delivery. The meat is tender and the price is reasonably high soaring up to 80000 won however the quantity is average and people usually visit this place for the birthday of an elderly or anniversary.

청맥식당 (Spelled as 'cheongmaegsigdang' in Korean accent or Cheongmaek Restaurant in English accent) – With a customer rating of 3.4 stars this restaurant located in Samdeokdong-ga, Jung-gu, serves average food but with extremely high prices. the locals usually preferred other restaurants than this because their dishes are limited and not so good.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Loving Hut - One of the top vegan restaurants in Daegu, Loving Hut is a vegan-friendly restaurant that uses a hundred percent plant-based products. For some vegans who like meat-flavored comfort foods, it is available here too. The meat flavoring is made from amino acids derived from plants that are synthetically modified to give one's favorite comfort food the flavoring of meat. You can either sit in and enjoy your warm food or take it away if your tummy is full and even sit in your hotel and get your food delivered right away.

Balaji Restaurant - Balaji Restaurant in Daegu with a customer rating of 4.2 stars, serves Indian and Nepalese vegan food. You can get rice, cooked vegetables, various Indian pastes chutney, and a lot more lip-smacking dishes that are all derived from plant products. The interior is big and comfortable to make you feel cosy. If you want to try out Indian cuisine while staying in Daegu but you are vegan, then apart from Balaji Restaurant there are many Indian restaurants with more than 4-star rating to offer you the tastiest Indian vegetarian food you can have in a Korean country. Some of these names are- Tara Restaurant, Tajmahal in Korea and Deira Restaurants are among the best.

Hi Thai - An Asian restaurant that serves dishes exclusively found in Thailand. With a customer rating of 4.5 stars and above this restaurant serves Thai cuisine. The restaurant is small with only 5 tables and with a small menu too. You have to wait on the sidewalk and place your order before you get a seat. Wondering why it got more than 4.5 stars from customers? Well because the staff is extremely friendly and can customize your dish to spicier or less spicy or a decorated table according to your wish. They serve authentic and real Thai food and have vegan options too. The locals love this restaurant and some even visit it twice or thrice a month. However, if you cannot tolerate people having non-vegetarian dishes beside you, this should not be the vegan restaurant on your list since they have both meet and also a hundred percent pure vegetarian food on their menu.

Zione – With a customer rating of 4.2 stars and above and located in Samdeokdong, Jung-gu, Zione serves Italian vegan-friendly food. It is usually busy around 7 p.m. and people typically spend an hour here. Their dishes are authentic with great consistency and amount. Italians who are now locals in Daegu find this their constant and favorite go-to restaurant

Street Food

Tteok-bokki – Tteok-bokki or spicy rice cakes is an exclusive Korean street food made from soft rice cake fish cakes boiled eggs, scallions, and some other special ingredients. Also known as stir-fried rice cakes, this Korean street food will rejuvenate your palette with its crispy sticks that are tender inside and its exclusive spice sauce. Since they are super easy to make they generally cost around KRW 3500 and you even want to have to wait for long to get your dish.

Hodu-Gwaja – Hodu-Gwaja, commonly called as walnut cake or walnut pastry, are crispy and healthy little snacks you should surely try in Daegu. Originated in Cheonan-si, if you’re visiting Daegu, this sweet-savory is a must-try snack! The outer crispy cover is made from waffle batter and inside you’ll find the tender walnut soaked in a red-bean paste. Yum!

Odeng – Odeng is a Korean street food that means fish cake with broth. Similar to Tteok-bokki and Hodu Gwaja, Odeng is a soft sponge cake made with fish fried and served on a skewer. Get ready to enchant taste buds with spicy sauce and soft texture served with the odeng broth which has lots and lots of herbs that is not only good for your health but also mouth-watering. Available from anywhere between KWR 502 to KWR 1000, this Korean street food is a steal.

Dakgangjeong – Dakgangjeong or basically as you say sweet crispy chicken, this delicacy is made of small pieces of boneless chicken with one piece equal to the size of a bite. They are dipped in a flour batter fried till they are crispy and sizzled with a sweet and spicy sauce. These are served in small plastic cups with a stick therefore it is very easy to carry on your way when your stomach is craving for snacks.

Hotteok or sweet Korean pancake – Sweet tooth lovers find this hot pancake heavenly. They are small in size and are made with flour dough just like normal pancakes are made but on the inside, they are filled with different types of nuts and brown sugar. They are fried and served instantly as hot as fire. To save your tongue from burning, it is drizzled with some maple syrup or brown sugar syrup. So be careful, blow some air from where you are going to take a bite, and then slowly munch on it feeling the sugar syrup oozing out.

Dongindong Jjim galbi – Saving the best for the last, did you know that Daegu owns a dish exclusively for itself since the 1970s? Instead of cooking in a proper utensil, the traditional way consists of cooking the beef ribs in a worn-out aluminum pot spiced and marinated with chopped garlic and several other spices including red pepper powder. The meat is tender juicy sweet and spicy.

Hotteok are a staple Korean street food that you must try when in town

Drink

Patbingsu - Different dessert cafes in Daegu (Korea) make their own different style of Patbingsu. It is basically a summer drink and has lots red beans paste as its base with ice as the body, and the dessert/drink is normally served in a bowl of cut mixed fruits.

Sikhye – Sikhye is commonly known as Korean rice juice. It is made by fermenting rice and mixing it with malt water. It usually serves as a cooling drink which is offered in small ceramic cups to people after jjimjilbang. It detoxifies your body and provides a cool soothing effect after the hot baths.

Soju – Soju is a distilled spirit made from fermented rice. It was originally invented in Korea and is still a popular Korean traditional alcoholic beverage.

Panda Milk Tea – Panda Milk Tea is not a Korean drink but has gained popularity among the young because of its cute packaging. It is basically milk tea in a plastic 500 ml panda shaped bottle.

Soju with traditional Korean cuisine

Tap-water

As stated earlier, the level of air pollution in Daegu is very poor with PM2.5 as the average rating. The water pollution level is 50% (moderate) but the drinking water quality is 71% high which is quite good. The price of a 1.5-liter water bottle is 1.7 US dollars. Locals have been found to use tap water directly. However, it is always safe to take extra precautions and boil tap water before drinking. You can also fix a water purifier in your home.

Organic Cafés

Fruu – A newly opened cafe in the downtown near KBS Hall, Fruu uses authentic and 100% plant-based products. It also has certified verification of its products and dishes. You can expect a reasonable price with great taste and quality.

Tree Farm – Located near Palyong Hill, the countryside scenery gives a cosy and pleasant vibe to enjoy your organic coffee. Their menu contains items for brunch,

Breweries

Percent % Craft Beer Pub – Located on the streets of Daebong-dong in Daegu, Percent % Craft Beer Pub offers the widest range of craft beer, both local and international, in the whole of Daegu. The locals' favorite includes the Ka-Brew’s Percent Weizen which is a seasonal delight. Nearly any combination or bottle goes perfectly with the bar’s exclusive pub grub. The modern interior designing with great service and an enthusiastic owner gives it a 5-star rating by customers.

Baqus – Located just across the Suseong Lake, along the main road of Suseong-gu, Baqus offers a good range of beer both local and imported, alongside some amazing cocktails and one of the best gorgonzola pizza you can have in Daegu. The pub has a striking design – a horizontally long open window facing the Suseong Lake. It offers both inside and outside sitting arrangements. The scenery looks heavenly during the sunset especially at the time of spring when cherry blossom leaves kiss the air. It is a beautiful place for young Koreans to enjoy craft brews. It is run by a few young boys but with top-notch service.

Taps Premium Drafts and Single malts – Located in the same downtown alley where Baqus and Platinum Craft Beer near the Suseong Lake, you can easily hop from one pub to another, whichever attracts you in a day. It is accustomed to draft faucets, American style pub grubs, a large screen for playing the latest trending music videos, and dim lightings for making the ambiance better. You can find young Koreans to middle-aged couples enjoying the friendly service of the staff alongside premium crafts beer, whisky, and malt.

Daedo Brewing – It is one of the best microbreweries in Korea that you can try in Daegu. It has 1000L barrels for production of its Korean beer as well as other styles such as Spanish Pub, Italian, American IPA, Ginger stout sour beer because sour beer is trending, Munich style crafts beer called as Helles, German Pilsner and even Pink Stout made by roasting local coffee beans that give it its characteristic sour taste. By choosing this microbrewery, we guarantee you’ll love their taste and style of locally produced crafts beer and effortlessly increase your points of being a responsible eco-friendly tourist. 건배!!

Activities

You can make your trip to Daegu even more exciting by doing these eco-friendly activities that will enhance your enjoyment and also help to look after a sustainable environment.

Hike the Apsan Mountains for a beautiful scenic view and night sky
Take part in flying the lantern during the Buddha Birthday Lantern Festival
Share cuddles, warmth, and love at the local pet cafes
Stay at the Donghwasa Temple and enjoy the religious vibes
Go cycling around the different parks
Be bold and visit the famous bathhouse (jjimjilbang) in Korea
Enjoy the sunset and night show at Suseong lake
Visit the 83 Tower and walk till the E-World during the spring season
Walk through the Seomun Market
Learn about the local artisans by visiting the Daegu Art Museum

Yoga and Retreats

There are a limitless number of activities a person can do while visiting a place. Yoga is one of them. The most eco-friendly activity that can help you find your Zen, visiting yoga retreat center in foreign lands opens the mind to the vast definitions and modifications yoga has in different countries from the place where it originated – India. Here is a list of the best Yoga Retreat centers you can visit to gift your mind and soul peace, among all the overwhelming activities and joy, and the best thing is that- they speak English too!

Ayurveda Yoga Camp in Muju
Lee Jeongyun theme Yoga
Ayurveda Yoga Academy Siji Center
Ayurveda Yoga Manchon Center

Accommodation

Staying in Daegu is never a problem. There is a wide range of options from nature-friendly and sustainable green hotels to normal hotels and guest rooms, apartments for rent, and even hostels. The locals are quite supportive and warmly help tourists in Couchsurfing, au pair, or finding a part-time job.

Green Hotels

February Hotel Dongseongro – With a stylish boutique exterior, this hotel offers you with a spa, a gym, a cafe, and even private mini-sized pools. They have free breakfast and comfortable suites, all made with high-quality, eco-friendly mattresses. Customers have rated it with a 4.5 star and love their services. Prices are affordable.

Novotel Ambassador Daegu – Originally in Seoul, Novotel Ambassador in Daegu offers you high-quality services with top-notch suites, but the best part- all are eco-friendly! There are 600+ reviews online about how much people have loved staying in this hotel. They are very receptive and the prices are reasonably a bit higher.

Hostels and Guest Houses

Empathy Guesthouse – Located in Jugang-daero, Jung-gu, this hotel runs on a noble cause. Empathy donates to North Korean refugees, and by choosing to stay here you can contribute to their fund by just paying your fees. Their service is extremely great and makes you feel as if you were home. The only downfall is that they have no elevators and their guest rooms start from the 3rd floor to the 5th floor. However, you don’t have to carry your luggage; their staff does it for you.

Eldis Regent Hotel – Located at Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Eldis provides modernized interior looks with free wifi. They have a restaurant where you can eat with other tourists staying in the hotel and make travel friends. Here they organize some special events during festive seasons, and other special occasions or customer requests (like proposal, birthdays, or anniversaries). Prices are high including all the miscellaneous taxes.

Midtown Hostel, Daegu – Midtown Hostel has clean rooms and bathrooms, their premises are nicely decorated with strong free wifi. Their staff and service are very welcoming to make you feel at home. With affordable prices and good food, with tea available 24/7, they also have a few cons. Their bathrooms are small and you might have to share the same bathroom of your hallway/storey. You do not get a private room since it's a hostel and if you’re traveling solo, you will have to share your room with someone else.

Apartments

One of the best green guides for accommodations in Daegu is renting an apartment, by doing this you are also helping the locals live their normal life and saving space. Apartments in Daegu are usually located near the Banwoldang station. Every apartment gives you the basic combination of a comfortable and cosy bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, restroom, and a good view of the city with a big window.

You also get a television set with cable connection, couches or sofas, and plug points. The owners are helpful and rent apartments at an efficient rate to tourists. Some of the best apartments in Daegu are -

DW’s House
Cosy Studio
Luxurious HH

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is an online community couchsurfing.com that stands for the accommodation of tourists by friendly locals of that place.

Camping

Gasansanseong Camping Ground - Situated at the heights of Mt. Palgong, you can enjoy a quiet and cool camping session over here. They have strict regulations and the traffic nearby is well controlled. Their bathroom is clean so you do not have to stress about hygiene. Also, it looks beautiful around springtime as the environment is romanticized by cherry blossom trees.

Chisan Camping Site - With mixed reviews by visitors and standing tall at Sinnyeong-myeon, Yeongcheon-si, this is an old rural village in a cold valley. During the summers it’s hot and people complain of not being able to do many activities.

How to Get There

Daegu is the 4th biggest and important city in South Korea. To get to Daegu is never a big deal. Although only few countries have direct flights to the Daegu International Airport, there are always indirect flights from almost any country to Daegu. You can also visit other big cities in South Korea and then take various transportation modes to get to Daegu, enjoying the scenic road views.

Air

Air transportation is the fastest and most comfortable way of travelling for many tourists. Not all airports in every country have direct airlines to Daegu. All total, there are only 15 cities in around 7 countries of the whole world that have direct flights to Daegu.

Daegu also has four domestic flights. These flights to Daegu (TAE) are from – Jeju City (CJU), South Korea; Seoul (GMP), South Korea; Yangyang (YNY), South Korea
Apart from these four domestic airlines, direct flights from other countries are as below – Da Nang (DAD), Osaka (KIX); Sanya (SYX); Bangkok (BKK); Cebu(CEB); Fukuoka(FUK); Hanoi (HAN); Hong Kong(HKG); Tokyo (NRT); Shanghai (PVG); Weihai(WEH).
Apart from these, almost every country in the world offers many indirect flights to Daegu International Airport or other nearby airports. If you have a longer holiday period, you can land at a nearby airport and then travel by other eco-friendly means to your destination – Daegu.

Daegu International Airport

Bus

Two buses depart from the Daegu International Airport, which is just 2 km from the main city. These two buses are – Bus no. 401, 402, 403, and Bus no.718 and 719. They travel to almost any part of the city from the airport. There are other busses whose destination is the Subway. Nearby cities from which busses go to Daegu are – Cheongju, Chuncheon, Daejeon, Seoul, Gwangju, Suncheon, Uijeongbu, Masan, and Jeonju.

Local buses on the streets on Daegu

Train

The only train that arrives at Daegu is from Seoul. It is a high –speed KTZ train that will transport you from Seoul to Daegu within less than a couple of hours.

Metro train at a platform in Daegu

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in South Korea is not a problem at all! People are so friendly and helpful, they love to give a ride! Just be careful, since you have to walk on the road and always show your thumbs up. This can be dangerous when on highways due to speedy trucks or when you’re walking on an empty road in a not so safe city. But, fortunately, Daegu is a safe country and people love to make friends with tourists.

Others

Daegu also has taxis going around the city. There are only 2 types of taxi, in different colours. The regular taxis are black or silver with a blue or green sign on the top. The driver usually does not know English; hence tourists find it difficult to travel in regular taxis without a local guide. The deluxe taxi is yellow with a black sign on top.

They provide free interpretation from English to Korean. There is also a destination guide to help you go to any destination or tourist spot you want to go to. There are no particular taxi stations for catching a taxi; you can just easily call out one on the streets.

Moving Around

Although Daegu is a big city with a population of 2.5 million people, moving around in Daegu is surprisingly very easy. The roads are well connected with easy to understand road direction signs. Apart from the main highway, you can cycle around hassle-free as the roads are well maintained and traffic signals are well cooperated. Also, locals usually prefer to walk or cycle whenever possible to contribute to a cleaner environment.

Walk

The streets of Daegu are well paved and have a well-planned structure. You can walk to any destination or any part of the city through broad footpaths. They are completely safe and local people are careful not to drive through them.

Bicycle

Although there are no separate roads for cycling in Daegu any local or the place you’re staying in will happily lend you their bicycle for free or maybe rent them. Cycling in the city and walking around are the BEST eco-friendly ways of tourism in a city that has high pollution. Also, no matter how safe the streets of Daegu are, it is strictly advised not to rush with your cycle since an accident can happen around anytime.

Electronic Vehicles

Daegu is the first city in Korea to use the most number of electric cars! Keeping in mind the depleting natural/non-renewable resources of the country, the government of Korea has urged people to use more and more electric cars. Daegu has excelled and is currently the leading producer of electric cars in the world with companies such as Zein Motors!

Public Bus

There are 3 Express Bus Terminals, all close to each other that offers accessibility to any tourist destination in the city.

Tram, Train and Subway

Daegu has a small subway system. There are 2 lines of the subway that intersect each other at the Banwoldang Station. There is a special feature called a ‘Transportation Card’ that offers many advantages, and even provided free transfer one hour from taking the last ride. The subway is way cheaper than bus fares as its regular fee is just 1,100 won, 10 times less than regular bus fares.

Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is not only important but also necessary for the world to thrive in. It is unknown to many people how the different products that we buy from the market have its own effect on the nature. Sustainable shopping includes buying our desired items and also helping environmental, social and economic causes and having a positive impact on nature, from the making of the product to its disposal. Sustainable shopping has gained high popularity in Daegu and other big cities of South Korea. People are actively supporting the change. As a tourist, you should also prefer to help the locals and environment by participating in sustainable shopping.

Food Markets

The Seomun Food Market - The Seomun Food Market is one of the oldest food markets in Korea dating back to the Junseon Dynasty. From traditional Korean dish Dongindong Jjim Glabi to its characteristic knife cut noodles Kalguksu, Seomun is the one-stop destination for street food lovers and for buying any ingredient necessary for cooking.

Nammun Market – Nammun Market has been a specialty in serving sizzling pork dishes across the 20 restaurants located there. It also hosts the famous Daeji Bossam, a dish from the 1990s. Though the origin of this dish is not in Daegu, it’s a version including pork broth soup and steamed pork served with spicy kimchi, savory soy sauce or lettuce leaves is a love!

Anjirang Market – The Anjirang Market attracts both college students as well as tired adults who are looking to spend their evening with a shot of alcohol. Anjirang market serves the same delicious street foods but they are cheaper.

Flea Markets

Flea Markets in Daegu have provided a huge platform to many budding local artists to display their talent and hard work in the art such as clothing, jewelry, shoe-making, and more.

Daegu Free Market – This market is run by a non-profit Korean organization – Daegu Art Creation Centre, that helps local artists grow their business. They let the sellers display and sell their products through a very small amount of registration fee. It opens on weekends.

Daemyeong-dong Art Market – This beautiful place It opens up on weekends except for the month except for the last week. On that day it opens up on Wednesday. You can find various handmade fashion items and the environment becomes more enjoyable as singers and dancers perform on open stages in the early evenings.

Social Market – The Social Market opens up on festive summer days. This is a great place where you can get cute little plant pots, instant hand-drawn portraits, cute little oxidized earrings, or that made out of wool, paper, or other material, artisan soap, minimalistic bookmarks, posters, and even abstract paintings, and they are all HANDMADE! That sounds s amazing and crazy! A social market is a perfect place where you can buy many cute little pretty items that makes your home aesthetic.

Daegu Free Market

Second Hand Stores

Thrift shops are a big catch if you love getting good quality items at half the price! Second-hand stores in Daegu are located in the Gyodong region, Thrift Shop District. Here you will find two types of stores. At one type of store you shall find yourself surrounded by vintage clothes, some are used and some in the very exact state they were bought in years back. The second type of store will offer you luxurious fashion brands such as Dior and Louis Vuitton only at half the price. Along with this great deal, there come a few cons.

You should know Korean, or have a friend with you who speaks Korean- since most of the shop owners don’t speak English. Secondly, you should carry cash as these shops accept only cash. There are no trial rooms and no exchange policy, so before buying clothing make sure it’s your right size. Some local shops that offer you cheap vintage clothing which you can add to your wardrobe to create a unique look are :

Fly to You
Ganji Gujae
Hyundai Departmental Store

Eco-Fashion

The fashion industry is quite notorious when it comes to eco-friendly and sustainable usage. However, in Daegu, the rise of the fashion industry is promoting a change in clothing types. Eco-friendly fashion uses and promotes nature-friendly dyes and processing of clothes. Daegu holds a fashion week every year named as – Daegu Fashion Fair. Displays from different eco-friendly categories are held such as

Eco-fashion
NexGen clothing lines,
Local lines such as DFF, PremiumPavilion.

Big names in the market like Tentree, Levi’s, and H&M (Conscious) have been a part of this fair. Therefore you can expect to find eco-friendly clothing easily in Daegu.

Recycling

Keeping in mind the increasing air pollution of Daegu and the responsibility towards the Earth, the government of Daegu decided to ban the use of non-recyclable plastic bags. Carry a paper or cotton bag if you’re going shopping to reduce the use of plastic bags as much as possible.

Waste

If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will take care of the waste in your room. When in public, these are the steps you should follow to be a responsible eco-friendly tourist

At several places you will find separate containers with the image of a bottle(for plastic things that can be recycled), can(for aluminum, tin, or iron stuff that can be recycled), beer bottle(for glass discards that can be recycled) and a general waste trash container. It is mandatory in Korea, especially in Daegu, to separate your trash into recyclable garbage bags. The general waste container is for non-recyclable waste such as toilet paper, sanitary pads, used syringe, etc.
Food waste includes anything that checks the question “Can an animal eat it?” If yes, then it goes to the food waste bag. These include vegetables, fruit peel, cooked or uncooked meat. Food wastes such as clamshell, eggs shells, onion and garlic or their skin, expired milk, and animal bones are NOT to be thrown in food waste bags. They are treated as General Waste because they can’t be recycled.
Although the rules for waste management are strict, it is done for the betterment of Daegu and the world as a whole. The locals heartily abide by these laws. Anyone found not following these rules will be fined with a charge of 300USD or 300,000 KWR.

Work and Study Abroad

If you want to stay in Daegu and work a job abroad, there are mostly teaching options. Mostly you will find travel bloggers who end up staying in Daegu have a job as an English teacher. As long as you don’t know the Korean language and your company where you presently work don’t offer an exchange job in South Korea, it might be hard to find a job. Daegu being the 14th largest city in South Korea offers a wide range of foreign student and student exchange programs. There are pre-college language programs for teaching basic Korean language so that students do not find problems living here. The colleges and universities have their academic session-oriented towards American courses.

Exchange Student

You can only study as an exchange student in Daegu only if the university or college you are studying in, is registered with the ISEP (International Student Exchange Policy). Some universities in Daegu that are ISEP affiliated are –

Keimyung University
Korea University, Daegu
Yeungnam University

Au Pair

One of the best ways to help be a responsible tourist by helping the local people is by working with them. Au Pair is a process where a foreign person (usually a young woman 18-30 years old) stays with a local family (called the host family) and takes care of their children, pets, or any necessities in exchange for culture, perfecting a foreign language, accommodation, and food.

The Au Pairs are also paid a small allowance for their personal use. Once you get to Daegu, you can ask the locals if any family is willing to accommodate an Au pair, or you can also search online and book before traveling.

Volunteering

Daegu provides many non-profit volunteering options for tourists who want to stay for a longer time. There are programs where you get to teach a local Daegu family English, in exchange for accommodation, internship programs by Meiji Internships, and LEX Internships for 2-12 months. They are a great choice if you want to get a job in Daegu or any part of South Korea. Some of the non-profit organizations in Daegu that are open for volunteering are :

Daegu Federation for Environmental Movement
HOPE
Time to Give
Daegu Education Centre
Daegu Art Museum