Though Biseulsan Mountain is most famously known for the azalea blooms in the springtime, there are plenty of reasons to make your way back here during the warmer months. Located on the edge of Biseulsan Mountain in the Dalseo region, Hwawon Natural Forest Resort is the perfect place to break free from city living and enjoy splashing around in the gently freshwater streams and exploring the hiking trails along the mountain range.

There are several hiking trails you can take through the mountain. Many of the paths are very shady which protect you from the blazing sun, so hiking here can be pleasant even in the summertime.  Never having been the adventurous type, I prefer walking along the man made trails, but I took a leap of faith and adventured down a path unknown to me and stumbled upon a beautiful stream secluded in the forest. To me this was just confirming that those who choose to live life with a little sense of adventure get to see more wonderful things in this world.

The water is absolutely refreshing! So clear that you can see the colorful, smooth rocks at the bottom. With perfectly cool temperatures, the streams here are absolutely ideal for taking a dip inside to beat the summer heat. The watering holes here have become quite popular for visitors looking to cool off from the heat and have a little fun. Normally, these types of areas are filled with picnicking families and friends, but I chose to travel to a bit more secluded area so I could enjoy the silence and peace of mind someone can only feel in settings like this.

Adding to the peaceful nature of the mountain, there is a beautiful Buddist temple, Yongmunsa Temple 용문사, you can visit. You can get there by following the main path into Hwawon Recreational Forest.

You might find yourself loving this place so much that you don’t want to leave!  No need to struggle to set up a tent and campfire when you can lounge in style in a cozy cabin. Hwawon Recreational Resort also offers rental cabins available for your picture perfect getaway. They offer two types of lodging options: condominium and pension style apartments.

One thing that I will stress is that if you are taking public transportation here, it is a little bit of a long walk from the bus stop to Hwawon Recreational Forest. It took me about 25 minutes, and I am a fast walker, but the long walk is so worth it! Along the way you get to pass the beautiful farmlands which makes for a scenic walk.

Directions:

Take Line 1 to Daegok Station. Board the Dalseong 2 bus to MabiJeong Byeokhwa Village (Jong Branch)  from there it should take you about 25 minutes walking until you arrive.

Exploring Daegu Art Factory

  

Spending a couple hours exploring Daegu Art Factory is a great way to escape the Daegu heat this summer and to check out some great artwork. The spacious building houses several exhibitions, local artists’ studios and workshops throughout the year. There's no admission fee and there's lots of free literature in English and Korean about the works inside, plus so much to see and experience.

From the outside, Daegu Art Factory stands out from the other buildings around it. There's a lovely park wrapping the complex with plenty of seating and trees. And don't miss this graffiti mural at the top of the building.

Upon entering, you're already surrounded by art and sculptures and installations. The interior architecture is quite breathtaking with a central five-story atrium adorned in this pink installation.

One thing about Daegu Art Factory is that you're always going to find some gem around every corner. The facility is littered with artworks all throughout which makes it so fun to explore.

High up on the fourth floor is the art book library called Man Gwon Dong meaning Hall of Ten Thousand Volumes. In addition to providing hundreds of volumes of art books to browse, the public library also hosts lectures and seminars.

Running until the end of the month is this super fun installation of air filled sculptures on the first floor. This is called Jardin Artificiel (Artificial Garden) by two Korean artists under the name Studio 1750. You can walk freely through this large room and explore the inflatable forest which includes some moving parts. It's a totally unique experience which begs for a selfie or two.

In a smaller gallery was this exhibition of an homage to the cube, one of the few exhibitions featuring traditional painted canvases. This was a collaboration of several artists titled Everyone Has Their Own CuBe.

The largest exhibition hall contained a multimedia show featuring fifteen artists from around Asia called Digital Art in Post-Digital Asia. One could spend a lot of time pondering the many digital video pieces projected around the space while contemplating how artists, especially Asian artists, are impacted by digital media. The exhibition is a meditation on the rapid modernization of Asian nations and how artists can approach creating digital content through that lens.

One of the pieces was designed to be experienced through these VR glasses. There's a well represented spectrum of digital media and video pieces including animations, documentaries, layered ethereal moving paintings, and photography focused works.

Above are shots from a dark, disturbing but totally engrossing video piece by Taiwanese artist Su Hui-Yu called The Walker.

Digital Art in Post-Digital Asia was a fascinating look at the current state of digital media for many artists across the continent. It will be moving to Loop Alt Space in Seoul after it closes at Daegu Art Factory on June 28th.

These unsettling multi-media sculptures are part of an exhibition from artist Park Hyung Jin called Unstable running until June 30th. The show includes several life-sized figure studies which appear to be constructed from cardboard, glues, and resin.

Daegu Art Factory hosts several local artists’ studios, many of which are open to viewing.  The public is encouraged to watch, interact and engage with the artists. Landscape painter Jung Jin Kyeong had her space open on the Wednesday evening I visited and I got to look at her studio and walk around her setup as she was painting.

The exhibitions are always rotating and there's so many unexpected beautiful and weird things to stumble upon at Daegu Art Factory. It's a fantastic dose of art in our city so whether you're an art history buff or a novice to the art world, it's a highly recommended way to spend an afternoon. Daegu Art Factory is easy to find and located near Dalseong Park Station on Line 3.

Website: www.daeguartfactory.kr/eng.action

Address: 31-12 Dalsung-ro 22-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

               대구 중구 달성로 22길 31-12

Hours:

           April-October: 10:00-7:00

          November-March: 10:00-6:00

 

Tsamina mina zangalewa,

This time for Daefrica!

             It's time to wave goodbye to Spring and say Hello to Summer. Daegu has a reputation during summer and that is to the hottest weather during Summer in all of South Korea. Thus it was given the nickname: DAEFRICA (combination of Daegu and Africa) because according to Koreans, the hotness of its weather can be compared to Africa.

Image: Wang Dan

 

             Summer is the best time to do outdoor activities and engage to an active lifestyle. It’s all about having fun, scheduling reunions and vacation but there’s also a possibility to expose yourself to the harsh scorching rays of sunlight resulting to sunburns. How are we going to fight it? Well, as the saying goes, BEAT THE HEAT! I've come from a tropical country which is the Philippines and had lived there for 25 years. Here are some tips on how to beat the heat or rather survive in Daefrica.

1. PROTECT YOUR SKIN!

             Sun can make various harmful effects to our body especially when exposed too much such as skin damage, sunburn, skin cancer and premature skin aging. It is highly important for us to take care of our own body and protect our skin from the sun.

             Before going out, make sure to put on or apply sunblock to prevent sunburns. If you already have sunburn, aloe vera is good for cooling the sunburn and it can be used for overall cooling during this season. These are easily available at Olive Young, LOHBS, and other general cosmetic shops in Dongseong-ro. The best part is that you can get these products this season at HALF THE PRICE!

Other items that can help protect us are hats, umbrellas, sunglasses and folding fans or a small rechargeable handy fans are some of the simplest ways to protect us from the sun and heat. Make sure to have these things in your bag before leaving your house.

             These weapons against the heat are available at the Daehyun Free Mall Underground Shopping Center that stretches between Banwoldang and Jungangno Stations. You can get the hats and umbrellas for as low as 5,900 won while fans are priced starting at 3,000 won for the folding fans and 10,000 won for the portable electronic fans. For 10,000 won, you can protect your eyes with sunglasses.

 

2. TIME CHECK!

             It’s summer and it’s the best time to go out right? Before leaving the house, it’s best to check the hottest time of the day. If possible, stay indoors around those times when the heat is at its peak.

Early June

3. DRESS APPROPRIATELY

“L” is the only letter to remember on how to dress right for Summer. L is for light, loose and linen. Light and loose clothes are the best outfits for summer, they allow air movement next to our skin and the airflow to can easily enter our bodies and make it easier for us to breathe as well. Moreover, linen textile is used for ages because its fabric allows maximum breathability and a good conductor of heat. I can also suggest for cotton because it’s very comfortable and not itchy.

             Aside from the major department stores like Lotte (Lotte Young Plaza, Lotte Department Store), Hyundai Department Store, and Daegu Department Store (DEBEC), you can buy clothes at the Queen’s Road (18-17, Pyeongli-ro 35-gil, Seo-gu, Daegu, Korea) or Yasi Alley (Southern end of Rodeo Street, Samdeok-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu).

4. ICE that PULSE POINTS

             Pulse points are very relevant to discover for summer. These are the areas of your body where you can feel your pulse because your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin. If these parts get cold, your body temperature will be cooler. Applying ice cubes on points like your neck, wrists, temples, ankles or behind the knees will be very helpful to cool down your body temperature. You can also wipe your face with a cool towel/handkerchief or put a damp bandana over your forehead and let it stay for some time. Wet wipes can also be a great alternative for cool towels as it is very handy and can be used any time and any place.

5. STAY HYDRATED

             We were all taught by our teachers, parents and doctors to drink 8 glasses of water a day because it is essential for us to have a good health and our body contains 60% water which makes it important for us to stay hydrated all year round especially during summer. Insulated water bottle is a good investment to keep your water cold throughout the day. Aside from water, we can also choose hydrating food such as citrus and mint fruits and fresh vegetables.  Watermelon is the best source of water and thus, adding fruits and vegetables in your meals could provide more water in your body.

             If you’re more of a drinker than a foodie, you can opt for a smoothie which is also an easy DIY menu for your meals. As much as possible, try to avoid dehydrating food and drinks that has alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar. Convenience stores and supermarts have big sale events where you can score two bottles of a refreshing drink for the price of one. 

6. REFRESH and RELAX

             The best feeling during summer is to refresh and relax! The good news is, there are lots of way on how to do it! I know that I just have told you to avoid food that has lots of sugar but one ice cream wouldn’t hurt right? Or you can just have a cold fruit juice too. Also, go out and treat yourself to your dream vacation. Try different cool outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, etc.  Best advice, DON’T THINK, JUST GO FOR IT! After all, what’s a summer without a vacation? We all need a break and we need to reward ourselves from working too hard to earn a living. LIFE IS SHORT. YOLO! (You only live once) so make it count.

Suseong Lake Resort

* Musical Fountain Show

─Hour(Jun – Jul): 13:00 & 16:00(only fountain) 20:30, 21:30

─Hour(May, Aug, Sep, Oct): 13:00 & 16:00(only fountain) 20:00, 21:00

─Admission Fee: Free

─Address: Dusan-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu

Sincheon River Water Park

─Date: July - August

─Admission Fee: Free

─Address: Athletics Square nearby Daebong-gyo (Daebong bridge), Sincheon River

Duryu Water Park

─Date: July – August *Duryu Swimming Pool is open all year round

─Admission Fee: Adult 20,000 won

─Address: 237, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Korea

Daegu Spa Valley

─Date: All year round

*Some facilities may not be available at the time of your visit

*All outside facilities will be available starting June 16.

─Address: 891, Gachang-ro, Gachang-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu

─Admission Fee: One-day pass(Adults) 38,000 – 42,000 won

* Ticket includes spa and sauna

* 30% discount for foreigners, men of national merits, and people with disabilities (proof of identification required)   

7. CHILL AT HOME

              After a long day at work, our body and mind gets really exhausted. Our feet are stay confined in shoes for a whole day which harness a lot of heat. Soak your feet in cool water. Before going to bed, open the windows and hang a damp towel in front of them so that the air flowing inside your home will be cool. Get a couple slices of cucumber that you stored in your fridge and put them in your eyes not only to reduce puffiness and dark circles around eyes but also to sooth them. You can also opt to use a face mask. These are easily found in generic cosmetic shops, even in Daiso. PRO TIP: after putting the mask on, place a fan in front of your face so it feels cooler.

If you have a diffuser, add a few drops of essential oils that contain cooling properties such as spearmint or peppermint oils. General merchandise stores like Daiso, Miniso and even at Olive Young.

Lastly, have a water spray and a bottle of water beside your bed. Use the water spray before sleeping to help your body cool down and drink water whenever you feel thirsty.

REMEMBER: Do not take your body and skin for granted before it’s too late. Protect them and take care of them like a mother to a child. Now, with all these tips, you are now ready for summer a.k.a. Daefrica. Now, go out there and shine bright Daegukins! I wish all a wonderful day.