The inland city of Daegu is on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula, 120km (74mi) north of Busan, the nation's second-largest city, and 300km (186mi) southeast of Seoul. It is set in a natural basin, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The north of the city is bounded by the east-west flowing Geumho River, Mt Apsan sits at the southern end of town, in the west the recreation and cultural hotspot Duryu Park makes an easy navigation point, and the clearest landmark to the east is Daegu Stadium, some 8.5km (5.27mi) southeast of the centre. The airport lies about 20 minutes northeast of the city, over the Geumho River.
Aside from the stadium, most visitors will find themselves spending time in the Jung-gu district in downtown Daegu. Daegu subway and rail stations sit at the top of this area, while the Dongdaegu stations and express bus terminal sit just outside it to the east. Many of Daegu's hotels, restaurants, bars and administrative facilities are downtown. Key areas include Dongseongro St, one of the busiest shopping and entertainment streets; Yasigolmok, otherwise known as 'Street of Foxy Ladies' due to its myriad hole-in-the-wall fashion shops; and Bongsan Culture Street, which bustles with 20 art galleries. To the south, near the Suseong Resort, is the Deurangil restaurant precinct.
Getting There and Away
Visitors coming from outside South Korea can fly directly to Daegu from Osaka in Japan, and Shanghai and Qingdao, China. Most international arrivals from elsewhere will probably end up at Seoul's Incheon International Airport. If so, getting to Daegu from Seoul is not difficult. Korean Airlines (www.koreanair.com) and Asiana Airlines (www.flyasiana.com) each run nine flights a day from Incheon airport weekdays between 7am and 8pm, with more on weekends. The flight to Daegu takes 55 minutes and costs around US$40 (departure tax is included in the fare).
Another option is the train: two services run from Seoul to Daegu and Dongdaegu train stations every 15-20 minutes, 80 times a day. The saemaeul express service is a little faster than the mugunghwa (four hours). For more information go to www.korail.go.kr. A range of buses also runs between Seoul and Daegu, ending up at the express bus terminal (spitting distance from Dongdaegu train station/subway station). Cars are available for hire at Incheon airport as well as in downtown Seoul.
Travelling between Daegu and other 2002 World Cup" venues or sightseeing cities is also relatively easy. Daegu has five bus terminals; for most 2002 World Cup" destinations the express bus terminal is the one to use. A trip to Gwangju, which takes nearly four hours, costs around US$6.50-7, while Daejeon, two hours' away, costs around US$4.50. If you prefer to travel by train, Daegu is well connected to South Korea's rail network. Daegu train station (tel 053-425 7788) is on the north-south Seoul-Busan line, and all trains except the saemaeul express trains stop there. All north-south trains, including the saemaeul express trains, stop at Dongdaegu station (tel 053-941 7788), and you can catch trains on the (east-west) Daegu line. Daegu and Dongdaegu train stations connect with the subway stations of the same name, which can be found at the same location as the train stations.
Getting Around
Daegu airport is northeast of the city, 2km (1.24mi) from the express bus terminal and about 5km (3mi) from the downtown area. Six city buses - Nos 104, 105, 131, 401, 718 and 719 - roll the roads between the airport and the city; the trip takes around 45 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around US$2 and takes about 20 minutes.
Once in town you'll find Daegu well serviced with public transport options. Daegu's 29-station subway line - Line 1 - started taking passengers to their destinations in 1997, and is a fast, convenient way to get around. It runs from Jincheon in the southwest up through downtown Daegu and east to Ansim. The super-efficient system runs trains at approximately five-minute intervals. Tickets are inexpensive and dispensed from automatic vending machines, and signs are in both Korean and English. Two key subway stations, Daegu (downtown) and Dongdaegu (slightly farther east), are within above-ground rail stations of the same name and are transfer points between the subway and the intercity rail network.
Daegu also has a good, albeit confusing, bus network of around 100 lines. You may find it easier to catch a ride on the Daegu City Tour Bus (tel 053-627 8900 or book through the tourist information centre), a free service that runs seven routes between tourist attractions. Taxis are readily available and not too expensive. Public transport is the best option but if you prefer to drive yourself there are a number of car rental offices. You must have more than a year's driving experience, be over 21 and have an International Driving Permit. If you have the cash you can hire a car and a driver. Daegu airport has a car rental desk (tel 053-564 8000) or contact the Korea Car Rental Union on tel 02-525 9077.
Getting To And From The Stadium
Daegu Stadium (504, Naehwan-dong, Suseong-gu) is about 8.5km (5.27mi) from the centre of the city. With only 3000 car spaces, public transport will be the best way for most people to get there.
There are regular buses to the stadium from Dongdaegu (east Daegu) train station (8.5km/5.27mi away; Nos 936, 439 and 910), Daegu train station (11km/6.8mi away; Nos 349 and 439), the express bus terminal (10km/6.2mi away; Nos 399, 936, 439, 903 and 910) and the Daegu Metropolitan City Hall (10km/6.2mi away; Nos 309, 724, 903, 909, 910 and 939). The journeys take between 35 or 45 minutes and cost around US$0.50. A taxi will take around 20 minutes and cost around US$5. From the airport (8km/4.96mi away) bus Nos 104 and 105 take 70-90 minutes, while a taxi takes 30 minutes.
