#biseulsan

Panik Ditinggal Bus saat Ikut One Day City Tour di Daegu, Korea Selatan

KOTA metropolitan ini merupakan terbesar keempat di Korea Selatan (Korsel). Nama resminya Kota Metropolitan Daegu, yang terkenal sebagai kota industri logam, tekstil dan mesin.

Bagaimana perjalanan ke kota ini? Endah Sulistyowati Nday, peneliti yang tinggal di Jakarta, membagikannya untuk pembaca mo-trans.

Daegu dikelilingi pegunungan : Palgongsan di utara, Biseulsan di selatan, kaki bukit…

비슬산 / Biseulsan Gyeongsanbuk-do, South Korea May 4, 2013

So you have finally decided that you want to work abroad and see what the world has to offer.  After all, it was Mark Twain that once wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” and you want to see what it's like to live elsewhere, outside of your home country.  After a long and thoughtful process the country you finally choose to work in is: South Korea.  You begin the (long …tedious.. uncertain) process of getting hired.  Dreams of the vast cultural offerings of Seoul coupled with the beaches and nightlife of Busan become etched in your dreams at night. 

Finally! Your contract arrives!

You take a quick look at where your job placement will be, but your heart suddenly sinks.

The word written under “location” is neither Seoul nor Busan, but instead, is a place you probably have never heard of until that very moment: Daegu

“Why would I want to live in Daegu for a year? What’s even there?” are questions you soon ask yourself, already beginning to have second doubts.

After your mind fires blanks, you decide to make inquires from your most trusted friend that knows everything about the world: Google.  After all, there has to be something in this “Daegu.” After a quick search you find that it’s greater in area than Seoul and has roughly the population of Chicago.  Other than that, information on this “Daegu” for the English reader soon depletes after these tidbits.

A glance at the Daegu Tourism Website isn’t much use.  They have absolutely minuscule pictures of “noteworthy” places to visit with terrible, to no directions on how to get to each. In summary: There’s  definitely not a whole lot to get excited about the city before you arrive. 

Thank God for me. haha!

While I left out places to eat (maybe for a future blog) this should at least give you a good starting point on things to do in Daegu. I left out Palgongsan and Gatbawai mostly because I think they are bit over rated and information on to get to those places are already available elsewhere.  I also included areas just outside of Daegu because it's always nice to get out of the city once and awhile, even if only for a day.

Let’s get started:

                                                   1. Apsan

Why it’s worth visiting:  Out of all the look outs of cityscapes in Korea, this one has got to be the best.  (Don’t even get me started on the finger print smudge fest of N. Tower in Seoul)  The view at the top is not only amazing, but it really gives a great sense of perspective on where you'll be living of the next year or so. For the lazy (like myself) there’s an option to take a quick cable car up the mountain. 

The view is so great that it almost makes me wonder why Daegu doesn’t use a similar image to promote itself.  Oh well.          

Anyway, back on topic, there’s a small restaurant at the summit and the base of the mountain is also littered with monuments, a museum, and numerous hiking paths to enjoy.

 What makes it go from “Good” to “Great”:  Tired of never being able to see the stars in Daegu?  Well, Daegu has its own unique offering on lights at night. Bring a flashlight up the mountain and watch the city light up after a fantastic sunset.  It’s a fairly easy hike down the mountain once you’ve had enough of the excellent view.  Just walk away from the cable car (it'll be closed once it gets dark) and you’ll come to a helipad. Right after that, you’ll reach a set of stairs and right beyond the bottom is a path leading left while the one you're on continues straight. Hook the left and you're on your way back.

  How to get there: Anjirang Station (Daegu Subway Red Line) Exit 3 Take Bus 410 and get off at the last stop: Apsan Park (앞산공원)   In order to get to the cable car you have to take a 15 minute walk into the park from the last bus stop.

                                                  2. Upo Wetland

Why it’s worth visiting: Out of any of the places on this list I felt the most conflicted about including Korea’s largest wetland.  My hype was high after reading that it placed near the top on CNN’s “Most Beautiful Places in Korea” list.

Straight off Upo's official website:

"They are the largest natural swamps in South Korea, with a total size about 5,550 square km. The bottom of the swamp is shallower than 1m and there are over 1,000 species living in its murky waters. It has a primitive atmosphere with 100 kinds of plants containing 28 kinds of aquatic plants and 72 types of hydrophytes. " 

Unfortunately, upon initial arrival the place seemed to be a disappointment.

For the record: It’s absolutely worth visiting in the spring but by the tail end of August all of the dust kicked up by the bicycles that the Koreans rent stain all plant life along the paths with an ugly brown color.   I find it odd in a place that promotes wilderness to even allow people to rent bikes and zoom through it, all the while listening to Ipods and smart phones.

In reality the beauty of Upo is a lot more subtle and is entirely dependent on not when you choose to visit, but what you do when you get there.

What makes it  go from “good” to “great”:  Hook a left on the trail when you reach the large lake just into the wetland. Once done, continue walking until you reach the two rocks shown in the picture above.  At this location there are small trails that lead from the main path into the heart of the wetland: take these!  When I was there most of the Koreans seemed to not venture past the safety of the main path but after traversing the trails, they were not problematic at all and were a great way to get away from all of the people.  Once things become quieter you’ll notice the beauty that Upo has to offer. It wasn't until doing this, that the place went from “meh” to “great.”

Note: Venturing off the main path is not possible once the rainy season arrives in Korea because the wetland becomes too flooded.

How to get there:From Seobu Bus Terminal (Seongdangmot Station, exit 1 ) take a bus to Changryeong Intercity Bus Terminal. From there take Yibang-myeon bound local bus and get off at Somoak Jangjae village (10-15 min ride).  I recommend just taking a taxi from the bus terminal.  When the taxi drops you off he'll give you his calling card, just have the convenience store owner call one up for you when you're read to leave.

                                                   3. Biseulsan

  Why it’s worth visiting: Another fantastic place on the outskirts of Daegu is Biseulsan. Here’s the official tourist website that’ll give you all you need to know about the mountain and why it’s worth seeing. http://www.dalseong.daegu.kr/bisulsan/html/main.html Oh wait, actually everything is in Korean and unless you’re a native Korean there’s no clear reason why it’s worth exploring  or how to even get there. 

The best time to visit is in the spring when the pink azalaes are in full bloom.  The whole area is gorgeous with rocky cliffs, streams, and views that get better the higher your climb.  It’s a must see.  You can even rent a cabin in the park on the before mentioned website but you’ll need to have one of your Korean friends help you out with the language barrier.

The hike up the mountain isn’t exactly easy but don’t give up! The first time I was there I wasn’t even sure if I was going the right way because the path was semi poorly marked. However, the view from the top is truly spectacular: 

What makes it go from good to great: It’s worth staying for the sunset (like Apsan don’t forget to bring flashlights for the way down and although it’s a slightly more difficult trek, it's not too hard)  Don’t get too worried if you don’t see anyone else on the mountain towards dark. Most Koreans are the polar opposites of what I would consider a risk taker and are often off the hill well before the sun sets. Fortunately, the last bus leaves from the bottom of the hill at 8:30 p.m. which should be more than enough time for the sunset and the walk back down. 

 How to get there:  Because the bus journey is so tedius and long (1.5 hours one way), I recommend taking a cab there and the bus back. (Taxi from Wolbae Station is about 25,000 won total.  If you are with a few people the price isn't terrible.)

                                            4. Bulguksa Temple

Why it’s worth seeing:  Out of all the temples in South Korea, Bulguksa is one of the most iconic.  Considered to be a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla Kingdom the temple is beautiful. Even though the temple crowds are often almost over flowing, I'd still recommend a visit.  If you only visit one temple in South Korea, you could do a lot worse than by going to Bulguksa.

Tip: If you have more than one day, they whole area of Gyeongju has a lot of opportunities for fun: water parks, national museums, four wheeling, resorts, the place has a lot to offer.

  What makes it “good” to “great”:  Have  ssambap (쌈밥)  for lunch near the entrance of the temple at the bus stop. (There are dozens of places there.) Also, try going on either a weekday or a weekend with questionable weather. You may be able to avoid the often VERY congested crowds at the temple.  Make it a point to hike up to the Seokguram Grotto after touring Bulguksa to get the full experience.

How to get there: Many people believe to get to Bulguksa one needs to take a train to Gyeongju but this is untrue.  Bulguksa has its own train station and I recommended that if you'd like to save yourself valuable time.

                                                                          5. Seomun Market

Almost anything can be found in Daegu's largest market. If you are looking for souvenirs for loved ones back home this is the place to look.  Also, if you want a great (and unique) lunch experience go in winter and try the kalguksu  칼국수 while sitting on the heated benches.  It's delicious. (the noodles, not the bench)

How to get there: Seomun Market subway station, green line.

                                                                                6. Chilseong Market

Unlike the relatively tame Seomun Market, Chilseong is not for the faint of heart but it's a must see for those looking for the stranger side of Korea.

Live snakes, frogs, an entire street of butchered dogs.  This place is definitely not for the faint of heart.

How to get there: Chilgok Market Subway Station, red line.     

                                                                    7. Sincheon River

  Daegu's Sincheon river is actually a nice place to take a walk along or bike ride.  Watch out for the river otters.

How to get there: One way is between Daegu Bank and Kyungdae Hospital Station, Green Line but there are various ways to get to the river as it cuts right through Daegu.

                                                                                                       8. Duryu Park

Duryu Park is a great place to escape the noise of the city for a bit. Daegu’s largest park is also the location of the annual body painting festival among other events. There's a baseball field, culture and arts center, temple, and a multitude of hiking paths to be found within.  It's definitely worth visiting a few times during your stay here. There's also an amusement park (E World) across the street from the park.