[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Head down to Daegu before the summer heat kicks in

Daegu, located in the southeast of Korea, is a city of warmth and energy. Famous in Korea for its extremely hot summers, Daegu is often jokingly referred to as Daefrica, a mixture of Daegu and Africa, to emphasize just how hot it gets.

Hyundai Department Store, Daegu Branch, ran an exhibition ″Daefrica″ in 2020. The exhibition showed objects melting, poking fun at Daegu’s famously hot summers. [HYUNDAI DEPARTMENT STORE DAEGU, YONHAP]

Daegu, located in the southeast of Korea, is a city of warmth and energy. Famous in Korea for its extremely hot summers, Daegu is often jokingly referred to as Daefrica, a mixture of Daegu and Africa, to emphasize just how hot it gets.

That makes the spring the best time to visit the city, before the sun hits and the sizzling asphalt road starts melting the soles of your shoes. Daegu offers a combination of modern urban life, culture and fragments of nostalgia. The Korea JoongAng Daily recommends these four places to get a snapshot of Daegu on your next weekend getaway.

Apsan Observatory

Apsan Observatory’s giant rabbit lights up at night, brightening the surroundings and attracting visitors to take photos. [YONHAP]

For a panoramic view of the city, you either have to endure a long, steep hike to reach the observatory deck or get on a cable car and enjoy a tranquil ascent. Mount. Apsan, a mountain stretched across Daegu's Nam District, offers the luxury of choosing between the two. The cable car costs 12,000-won for a return ticket or 8,000 won for a single. Going up by foot is not too demanding either, taking only 30 to 40 minutes.

Apsan Park has many viewpoints that attracts visitors especially during the evening. Daegu has recently updated the Apsan Observatory and installed a giant rabbit. It was also a filming location for the popular Korean drama, “What’s wrong with secretary Kim?” (2018), featured as the background of a romantic date between the main couple. Since the rabbit model and the observatory turn yellow with the fading light, it is recommended to visit during the evening or the late afternoon for the best night view. There is also a pretty big cafe street nearby, with a mix of individual and large-sized cafes.

454, Apsansunhwan-ro (Daemyeong-dong), Nam District, DaeguPhone number: 053) 664-2174Website: https://nam.daegu.kr/eng/index.do?menu_id=60003181

Cathedral of Daegu

The exterior of the Catholic of Daegu provides the perfect atmosphere for those wanting a grand, imposing background shot. [DAEGU CITY]

The Cathedral of Daegu is one of the main tourist courses in Daegu's Jung District. Built in 1899 as a hanok, a traditional Korean house, it burned down in a fire the following year. It was rebuilt in a Gothic style with two brick towers. It was the first building in Daegu constructed in an western-style. Due to its heavy presence, it is still used as a filming location for historical dramas and films. “The Priest” (2015) is a famous example, a thriller about exorcism.

However heavy the atmosphere may seem on-screen, it is a beautiful tourist spot in real life, with families and couples stopping by to take pictures with the seasonal flowers. It embraces the history collected over more than a century. Former Korean President Park Chung Hee and his wife were married at the church.

10, Seoseong-ro, Jung District, DaeguPhone number: 053)254-2300~1Website: http://www.gyesancathedral.kr/

Dongchon Amusement Park

People ride the duck boats on the Geumho River to enjoy their day out. [YONHAP]

Dongchon Amusement Park was the first amusement park to be built in Daegu. Though the name limits the imagination a bit, it not only has rides but also contains a village with art and sports facilities and bridges that light up at night. The night view here is a favorite as you can see the contrast of the dark waters of the Geumho River and the bright light along the bridges. After the heat cools down in the evening, you can see people strolling to relax in the view.

The area is less crowded than Suseong Lake in Suseong District, which is already famous among locals and visitors. Acacia flowers are at full bloom in May here, brightening the view and the mood of the park with their color and scent. You can ride duck boats along the Geumho riverside. Thanks to its rising popularity, walking among the cafes and restaurants is now an added option.

72, Hyodong-ro 2-gil, Dong District, DaeguKim Kwang-seok Street

A bronze statue of Korean modern folk singer Kim Kwang-seok offers visitors a spot to take a memorable picture. [DAEGU CITY]

Korean folk-music superstar Kim Kwang-seok has a street named after him in Jung District. Often also referred to as Kim Kwang-seok Mural Street, the 350-meter [1,148-foot] street is filled with murals and statues inspired by or created after the beloved Korean star. He was born in this neighborhood near Bangcheon Market, which was turning into a slum before it was rearranged as a cultural spot through the mural street project. Still in the hearts of the fans as a beautiful soul who sadly took his own life in 1996, the street is still covered every year in tributes in the form of flowers and alcoholic drinks.

Recently, along with Daegu rising as a growing film and culture spot, the street’s identity is shifting to become a romantic place where visitors can wish peace for Kim as well as trace the nostalgia with their loved ones. Korean drama “Hyde Jekyll, Me” (2015) was shot on the street with a couple stood next to the pole with "I have never spoken out my love for you" written on it. After the scene aired, it became a tradition among visiting couples to demonstrate their side of the love story with photos.

Dalgubeol-daero 450-gil, Jung District, DaeguPhone number: 053) 661-3328Website: http://kimkwangseok.or.kr/contents/02_stroy/sub01.html

BY KIM JUNG-SEOK, BAEK KYUNG-SEO, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]