Visiting the different cities in Gyeongsangbuk-do felt a bit like travelling back and forth in time, as we witnessed a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.
Whenever Korea travel is mentioned, Seoul or Jeju Island are usually the first destinations to come to mind. But this time round, Weekender Singapore was invited by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Singapore to explore Gyeongsangbuk-do, the largest province in South Korea, also known as the North Gyeongsang Province.
There is a good reason why Gyeongsangbuk-do is known as “Korea in Korea”. What awaited us was a richly cultural tour lined with picturesque landscapes and gastronomic delights. While Korea travel is the “in” thing now and many may already be familiar with the country, the following 5 cities take you slightly off the beaten path to experience a lesser-known side of Korea. Whether you are new to Korea, or have already visited Korea numerous times, there will be a fun and enjoyable itinerary in store for you.
Daegu
Sights
As compared to the previous cities, Daegu felt the most metropolitan and bustling with activity. There are numerous ways to tour Daegu, depending on your preference. While some would center their tour around E-world theme parks, I personally chose to embark on a modern culture alley and shopping tour, which I came to greatly enjoy.
Unlike the previous cities that give off very oriental vibes, Daegu is a city where you will see a unique juxtaposition of East and West in many of its important landmarks. For instance, when you visit the Daegu Oriental Medical Experience Town, you will see the Jeil Church and Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Museum standing side by side. Despite being non-religious myself, I was awe-struck by the towering magnificence of Gyesan Cathedral, as well as the First Presbyterian Church of Daegu atop Cheongna Hill.
If you have not had the chance to do much shopping previously, you can head over to Dongseong-ro Street, where you will find everything you need. We even caught sight of a live recording of social media influencers dancing when we were there. If you’d like to take your shopping experience to another level, and also spend quality time with your family, you can visit the dazzlingly beautiful Shinsegae Department Store, which boasts a massive aquarium and indoor park on its roof, as well as an outdoor plaza with plants and fountains adjacent to the aquarium.
Food
When it comes to food, we were spoiled for choice and had a hard time deciding what to eat in Daegu. Adventurous foodies may want to try out local specialities like Mungtigi (raw beef), Nonmegi Maeuntang (spicy stewed catfish), and Makchang Gui (grilled intestines). But if such exotic ingredients are not for you, a Korean fried chicken and beer meal can never go wrong. If you are looking for vegetarian options, you may want to give Daegu’s famous Napjak-mandu dumplings a try.
The Cherry on the Cake
Stumbling upon a cat café while shopping at the Dongseong-ro area was a delightful surprise. For an affordable entry fee of 10,000 won (approx. 10 SGD), the customer gets a free drink, access to the board games and manga room upstairs, and most importantly, unlimited time with many fluffy and curious kitties!
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