Explore Daegu on Foot！Discover These Must-Visit Spots… Where a Magical Wonderland Awaits

Reporter Lü Xiaowen / Interview & Report

Step into Dodongseowon Confucian Academy to take part in a Joseon aristocrat-style (term used for the noble class of Joseon) Confucius memorial ceremony, ascend 83 Tower to enjoy a dazzling fireworks display, stroll through Herb Hill under snowfall to witness the mountain ablaze with autumn foliage, venture into E-World theme park to join a brilliant light festival, and climb up Busan Mountain to gaze at the magnificent panoramic city views. Each corner of Daegu will captivate your heart.

When it comes to South Korea, people often think first of bustling Seoul, the portside city of Busan, or the healing island of Jeju.Daegu, on the other hand, seems relatively unfamiliar—even when it comes to its famous sights, many struggle to name any. But after an ETtoday reporter paid a visit, it became clear that Daegu is far more enchanting than you might imagine. (Daegu has long been a transit hub connecting the Korean Peninsula with the outside world, standing proudly at the crossroads of north and south. With constant flows of travelers, it has cultivated a vibrant inland culture. Compared to Seoul, the women here are considered graceful yet resilient, the men are generally seen as cheerful, easygoing, and open-minded, while Korea’s iconic “Ajumma” (middle-aged women) are even more feisty and warm-hearted.

Today, ETtoday brings you a list of must-visit spots in Daegu that you’ll want to savor one by one:

# A Confucian Legacy at a Noble Scholar’s Academy – Dodongseowon (
The name Dodongseowon means “traveling from the west to the east.” For the Korean Peninsula, China was to the west, so Korean Confucian scholars historically traveled westward—meaning they went to China—for their studies.It was bestowed the name “The East’s Standard-Bearer of Daoist Confucianism” by King Seonjo of Joseon, reflecting Korea’s deep reverence for Chinese Confucian teachings.

▲As one of Korea’s Five Great Academies, Dodongseowon has been preserved since the Joseon Dynasty and serves as a representative site for Confucian worship of Confucius and Mencius. (Photo / Reporter Lü Xiaowen; the following images are the same)

Although many academies were destroyed during the late Joseon period, Dodongseowon was spared thanks to the efforts of local residents and descendants. It is now one of the few well-preserved academies in Korea. Most notably, it hosts an annual grand Confucian memorial ceremony led by the descendants of its founder, Kim Gwang-pil. After worshipping Confucius and Mencius in the main hall, they proceed to the family ancestral shrine in the back mountain. Interestingly,the genealogical records of Dodongseowon explicitly state that Confucius and Mencius originated from China, and due to the concept of Confucian unity, they are revered as ancestors.

▲ Korea places great importance on academy ceremonies, which are even covered extensively by the media.


▲ The Confucian memorial at Dodongseowon is conducted by descendants of its founder, Kim Gwang-pil. After selecting ritual officiants within the academy, ceremonies are also held at the ancestral shrine and tombs.
 

▲ The main gate of the academy could only be used by Confucian scholars who had earned scholarly honors or were students of Sungkyunkwan (Joseon’s top educational institution, equivalent to China’s ancient Imperial College or National Academy), while other students entered through side gates.

# A Place of Ever-Changing Beauty – Herb Hill
Nestled within lush woods lies a park themed around herbs. Named for its diverse collection of aromatic plants, the area takes on different hues throughout the seasons, making it worth visiting again and again. In spring, it’s covered in emerald green; in summer, birds chirp amid the canopy; autumn paints the hills in crimson leaves; and in winter, it dons a blanket of white snow—each season offering its own picturesque charm.

▲ The warm sunlight, crimson foliage, and scattered ginkgo leaves may look romantic, but this was actually during the first cold wave of winter in Daegu. When our reporter visited, temperatures outdoors dropped to as low as -4°C.

The park features simple amusement facilities, and the woods are equipped with cleverly designed aerial slides and suspension bridges, giving visitors a fun climbing experience in the summer. Considering the risks of outdoor activities in winter, the park also offers many indoor experiences, such as making handmade soap and essential oils, ensuring year-round enjoyment. Of course, the delicate scenery has also made it a popular filming location for K-dramas, most notably “It’s Okay, That’s Love!” starring Cha In-pyo and Gong Hyo-jin.

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▲ Adventure games involving rope climbing allow visitors to explore the treetops with a guide—but they are closed in winter due to slippery conditions caused by snow. The park encourages guests to participate in indoor activities like making essential oils and handmade soap instead.

 ▲ Even though early snow has quietly fallen, the mountain at Herb Hill is still adorned with stubbornly persistent red leaves.

# Korea’s Largest Urban Theme Park – E-World & 83 Tower (
Nestled in the heart of the city, E-World theme park and Daegu’s tallest tower, 83 Tower, form a perfect couple’s destination. As Korea’s largest urban amusement park, E-World offers thrilling rides during the day and a spectacular light show at night. In addition to dazzling LED displays and light-themed cartoon characters, even the cable cars are decked out in colorful lights.

▲ The sky bridge outside the tower allows couples to embrace and take photos high above the ground—but it is temporarily closed in winter due to slippery conditions, despite safety measures.

▲ Many visitors head up to 83 Tower in the evening to wait for the moment when E-World lights up as night falls.

83 Tower is the tallest structure in Daegu, offering sweeping views of the city’s nighttime skyline. The open-air plaza at its base features a heart-shaped installation designed for couples, along with numerous romantic restaurants ideal for dates. The tower’s observation deck also has cozy seating areas tailored for lovebirds—but the talk of the town is the transparent glass window in the tower-top restroom, which offers a full, unobstructed view. Many visitors make a special trip to 83 Tower just to experience it. (

▲ At night, E-World is almost entirely enveloped by a sea of brilliant lights.

 ▲ Light-decorated cartoon characters come to life across the park once evening falls.

▲ Daegu’s tallest 83 Tower, enveloped in fireworks at E-WORLD, takes on an ethereal and magical aura.

# Wandering Amidst Endless Wildness – The Purple Silvergrass Fields of Besan Mountain (

Perhaps due to the season, when reporters visited Besan Mountain in winter, they saw nothing but desolate stretches of purple silvergrass exuding a melancholy that blanketed the mountain. Coupled with freshly fallen light snow and the mottled footprints left by visitors treading the ground, it evoked an unmistakable sense of solitude from the depths of one’s heart.

▲ In winter, Besan Mountain’s hillsides are draped with purple silvergrass, presenting a lonely and boundless wildness. Can you imagine how, come spring, this place will transform into a vast sea of azaleas? The azalea season from mid-April to mid-May, along with the purple silvergrass in autumn and winter, complete the beauty and bittersweet charm of Besan Mountain.

Towering rocky mountains paired with such desolate landscapes are the favorite backdrops of Korean historical dramas. During the Joseon Dynasty, it’s said many scholars and martial artists believed immortals resided here, prompting them to seek out these mountains in search of transcendence. As a result, it has also become a popular filming location for many renowned Korean dramas, including “Flower in Prison” and “Six Flying Dragons.” As the saying goes, winter’s arrival signals that spring is not far behind — and when that time comes, the hills will be engulfed in a sea of azaleas, transforming the solitude of autumn and winter into a pink-hued dreamland.

▲ Due to its climate, Besan Mountain enjoys distinct seasons, each with its own unique charm, attracting crowds of visitors all year round.

▲ The breathtaking scenery, crafted by nature’s masterful hand, has led many since ancient times to believe this mountain is conducive to spiritual cultivation.

# A Romantic Confession Spot – The Front Mountain Cable Car and Observation Deck

(Koreans’ deep love for their homeland is especially evident in the setup of many scenic spots. Each region tends to have at least one high vantage point offering panoramic views of the city and its nightlife, and the Front Mountain Observation Deck is a must-visit sight in Daegu. Visitors can first take the Front Mountain Cable Car from the base to reach the mountaintop deck.

▲ Passing through a dark, winding path to reach the observation deck gives one the profound feeling of having emerged into the light.

Unlike the lush greenery of summer and spring, in winter, the windows of the cable car are coated with thick frost, and the chilly outdoor temperatures make couples hug even tighter. It’s said many couples in the early stages of romance enjoy using this season and this setting to confess their feelings, under a snowfall accompanied by the soft glimmer of the city lights. Countless whispered confessions have contributed to the legend of the Front Mountain Observation Deck as a romantic confession spot.

▲ The night view that the people of Daegu proudly claim as their own is known as Daegu’s Million-Dollar Night View.