Daegu, South Korea 대구 #MarinaTravels

After 2 and a half hour flight, I landed at Gimhae International Airport in Busan Korea. Before I even knew it, I found myself in the city center of  Seomyeon being bombarded by blinding Korean shop signs, uproarious Kpop music, and its vibrant, exciting nightlife. However today I want to talk about something quite different. Something other than just the hip and modern Korean city life. I had the amazing opportunity to visit Daegu, a city in North Gyeongsang Province. It is while I was there I had the fortune of spending an afternoon in Apsan Park (대구앞산공원), one of the most breathtaking and beautiful wilderness park I've visited in my life.

There's nothing more beautiful than the view out of an airplane window

Nampodong, Busan

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the City of Daegu from Busan is by taking the Korea Train Express (KTX). You could either book your tickets online or buy them at the counter. If the ticket line gets too long and you're in a rush, they also have automatic ticket machines where you can purchase your tickets using a credit card. The train ride is only half an hour, it is an ideal way to get around if you are planning a day trip to other neighboring cities.

➠ Daegu Apsan Park (대구앞산공원)
Address: 574-87, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 대구광역시 남구 앞산순환로 574-87 (대명동)
Inquiries: 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
For more info: +82-53-625-0967

As a kid growing up in a sub-tropical country, I'd never really experienced a proper Autumn when leaves would turn red and brown, the weather would become chilly and the air is crisp. Sights of beautiful, fallen maple leaves seem to take up the pavements, trees are in many shades of yellow, russet brown and garnet red. To witness the season changes in Apsan Park is one of those moments that is beautiful beyond any words could ever describe.

Besides the breathtaking natural scenery and the everlasting valleys, Apsan Park is probably most famous for its gondola that leads to one of the Apsan Mountain peaks, along with Apsan Observatory, the perfect viewing point where you could overlook the entire downtown of Daegu. If you have the chance to visit here on a sunny, chilly, Autumn day, it is truly a feast for the eyes.

➠ Apsan Observatory (앞산전망대)
Address: 454, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 대구광역시 남구 앞산순환로 454 (대명동)

I do have to mention that Apsan Park is a HUGE wilderness park, popular amongst not only foreign tourists but local Koreans as well. You will have to be prepared to walk for miles and miles to reach the gondola line and the Apsan Observatory, the weather does get a bit cold, at least for me, in the mountains. But you do get to experience the nature and the beautiful autumn scenery while hiking up the mountain through several major walking trails along with the local citizens of Daegu.

The City of Daegu gives out a relaxing and chill vibe. Unlike the usual big city capitals that we travel to. There are not many people rushing to catch a bus or hurrying to go somewhere(unless you count the Metro, which is still the main public transportation around Daegu.). The roads are wider, and there are more pavement trees. You could also expect to spot a lot of interesting and modern restaurants and cafes on every corner you turn. It is surely a city where you can slow down your pace, sit back at a local cafe, enjoy the food and drink and savor everything the city has to offer.

The streets of Daegu are very often filled with adorable graffiti and colorful wall arts, those that like to explore, wander around or take photos will definitely encounter numerous artsy surprises hidden in the lanes and alleys of Deagu.

That's about it. I hope you've enjoyed my little travel journal to South Korea. Let's get talking in the comment section. Do let me know what's the latest country you've been to, I'd love to hear about your travel experiences :)