Summer in Daegu with Daegu City Tour Nakdonggang Course

A couple of years ago my husband and I rode our bikes along Nakdong River from Gumi to Busan. One of the things we passed by was The ARC. I still remember how I got excited when I saw it changed colors at night especially how it looked like a strawberry when it turned red.

The ARC at night (2016)

Since then, The ARC often comes to my mind whenever I think of Nakdonggang River. I think it was one of the best things I saw along the Nakdonggang River Bike Trail.

Last week I had another chance to visit The ARC. I booked the Daegu City Tour Nakdonggang River Course and one of the highlights of the trip was The ARC.

Though it was a rainy day, The ARC still looked good. So, I snapped some photos and captured one with my fellow visitors and their colorful umbrellas. ^ ^

The ARC on a rainy day

After visiting The ARC we headed to Samunjin Naru (사문진 나루, Samunjin Ferry). We took the Samunjin Cruise Ship and enjoyed the scenic views along the river. The cloudy skies made the trees look greener and the fog made the scenery look magical.

Samunjin Dock

The scenery along the river

After the cruise, we headed to the Jumakchon (주막촌). Jumakchon is a recreation of jumak or a Korean tavern where food, beverage, and even liquor are sold.

Surprisingly, the Jumakchon was packed even on a rainy day!

Jumakchon

Thinking that it might take awhile to be served, I ordered my lunch right away. I read the menu and ordered in Korean and I smiled when the boy at the counter replied to me in English. Haha! (So, if you find yourself at Jumakchon and you can not speak Korean, don’t worry.)

The menu on the wall

I found an empty seat right next to the fountain! So, while waiting for my food I spent my time enjoying the beautiful view.

Had lunch with this view.

I had beef stew for my lunch! I enjoyed the delicious food and the nice view.

Sogogi gukbap (beef stew and rice)

After lunch, I walked around the Jumakchon. Butterflies and colorful flowers were everywhere. Roses, hollyhocks, trumpet vines and many more! There were totems and a “love tree” next to the straw-thatched huts.

Love Tree (사랑의 나무)

Butterfly and flowers

Near the dock, there a huge piano. Apparently, the first piano that ever reached Korea arrived at Samunjin Dock in 1900 and the village called it a “Ghost Box.”

Piano Photo Zone

Cosmos flowers blooming early

From Samunjin Dock, we headed to Mabijeong Mural Village. Tucked n a hillside in the middle of a forest, Mabijeong is a quiet yet charming village. Attractive murals depicting the daily lives of the villagers in a funny way are all over the place.

Mabijeong Mural Village

My favorite was this “photo zone” for couples. Isn’t it cute? Make sure to take your special someone when you come here. ^ ^

The reality TV show, Running Man, filmed an episode here. And I found some of their props!

Running Man props

You will surely have a great time looking at the murals. However, be aware that Mabijeong is a functioning village meaning people actually live here. So, show respect by minimizing your voice.

Our last destination for that day was Inheung Hanok Village. Inheung Hanok Village was established by Moon Gyeong-ho, a descendant of the man who first brought cottonseeds to Korea from China named Moon Ik-jeom.

Just like Mabijeong, Inheung Hanok Village is a functioning village. While visitors are allowed to walk around, they are not allowed to go inside the houses. The scenery around is enough to make you enjoy your time though.

This time of the year, myrtle creeps and trumpet vines are blooming at the village adding vibrant colors to the aged village wall and roofs.

Pink Myrtle Creep in bloom

Trumpet Vines

Not only that, water lilies and lotus flowers are also blooming at the Inheungwon which is located right at the village entrance.  Make sure to check them out too.

Lotus flowers at Inheungwon Garden

After seeing all the places included in the Daegu City Tour Nakdonggang River Course, I would say it is one of the best courses for summer season.  The places included are truly worth visiting! In addition, it is cost effective and convenient.

Tourist Information

Destination: The ARC

Address: 57, Gangjeongbon-gil, Dasa-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu

Admission Fee: Free

Samunjin Naru

Address: 40-12 Samunjin-ro 1-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, South Korea

River Cruise: 10,000 won (5,000 won if you are with the City Tour)

Destination: Mabijeong

Address: Mabijeong, Bonli2-ri, Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu

Admission Fee: Free

Destination: Inheung Hanok Village

Address: 401-2, Bonli-ri, Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gu, Daegu

Admission Fee: Free

Now that the winter chills are finally over, you can stop huddling up in your house with your heater on full blast and get outside again! Take a whiff of fresh air and see the spring flowers. If you’re interested in exploring the more traditional side of the city, make your way down the Inheung Hanok Village for a journey back to the past.  The village was built by Moon Gyeong-ho (1812-1874), a descendant of Moon- Ik-Jeom (1331- 1400) who was the first man to bring the cottonseed to Korea from China in the 15th century.  There are several key points of the village to check out so make sure you leave no stone unturned, and the best thing is admission to the village is FREE.

Right in the front of the village they have an information booth that offers information pamphlets in English that provides information about the village layout and the special buildings in the area.

Points of interest:

Inheungwon Garden

The first place I visited was the garden. The garden is located right outside the village and is the perfect place to take a seat and enjoy the calming sounds the water and view the flowers.

Cotton Field

Located near the garden is the cotton field. As previously mentioned, the village founder Moon Gyeong-ho is a decedent of Moon Ik-jeom who first brought cottonseed from China to Korea in the 15th Century.

Inheungsaji Stone Pagoda

Located near the cotton fields is the Inheungsaji Stone Pagoda.

Traditional style buildings:

  

The library, shrine, and pavilion and traditional houses were built in the Joseon Dynasty. Currently, 9 traditional houses still stand that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. However, they are private resident’s homes and you can’t go inside or take photos, but you can still explore the inside of the village and get stunning pictures of the stone wall surrounding the homes.

Insu Library

The Insu Library Representative houses about 10,000 books from both Korea and foreign countries.

The back of Gwanggeodang

The Gwannggeodang shrine was built by Moon Bong Seong and his son in 1910 as a place for educating the youth of the Moon clan.

Subong-Jeongsa

The Subong-Jeongsa Subbaekbang was built as a meeting room for the clan.

Trees

Something that is quite noticeable about the Inheung Village is the giant pine trees spread across the village. This is no coincidence as the pine trees were strategically planted around the area to protect the village from both storms and floods.  And they’re humongous as the average is 14m high. The trees are estimated to be over a hundred years old and have been designated as a natural forest reserve in 1982.

The best part about the village was that it was so calm and peaceful. It is located a little outside of central Daegu so if you visit, you get to relax in the serenity of the mountains away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  There was a steady, but relatively low traffic of visitors coming through so it seemed many times that I had the entire village to myself!

The scenery around the village is breathtaking, so it’s also a great place to take pictures or have a photo session. Perfect place to explore with by yourself, with friends, or for a family outing.

Directions

Take the Dalseong 2 bus to Hwawon Boli 1 Gyo 2

If you don’t like taking a bus, the nearest subway is Daegok station and a taxi ride to the village takes less than 10 minutes and should only cost you around 4000 won.

  

■Address: 16, Inheung 3-gil, Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu

■KR Address: 대구광역시 달성군 화원읍 인흥3길 16

■Website: click here

One of the best ways to welcome spring that is exclusive to Korea is to visit a traditional village. Korean traditional architecture, hanok, nature and blooming flowers creates unique vibe of spring you can only experience in Korea.

Inheung Village is one of the most famous hanok villages. It is a Mun clan residential area that embraces more than 300 year old trees, old pine trees and different types of fruit and wild flowers and the wind coming from Nakdongang River.

Mun clan is most known for its ancestor’s achievement to bring cotton in the peninsula.

Around this time of the year, you can see red apricots blooming among leafless branches. Fascinating yet humble looking blossoms are the signs that warm spring is just around the corner!

These pictures were taken two days ago and the blossoms were about 50% bloomed. The best time to visit for red apricot blossom is in March. Even if you don’t catch the blossoms, the other types of flowers like the famous trumpet creepers will bloom and fill the village here and there, so make sure to make your visit in spring!

■ Hour: 10:00 – 18:00

■ Address: 16, Inheung 3-gil, Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구광역시 달성군 화원읍 인흥3길 16