Daegu is South Korea's fourth largest city, as well as the cultural and economic hub of North Gyeongsang Province. It's often called the "Apple City" after its famed plump apples, but it's also known for its textiles and electronics.
The city sits in a basin surrounded by mountains, which means it's subjected to some of the most extreme temperatures in the country. The winters are icy and the summers scorching, conditions which have surely helped cement the people's reputation for toughness. The sprawling valley where the city lies hasn't always been an easy place to live, yet now it's home to one of the country's most thriving centers of commerce.
While Daegu is often overlooked on itineraries, it's worth a visit, especially for anyone keen to check out a city largely untouched by foreign tourism. Here you'll find Korea in its purest form, with buzzing markets, tasty local food, and a crackling downtown core packed with bars and eateries that keep pumping well into the wee hours of the morning.
Daegu may not win any awards for trendiness, but this is a city that knows how to have a good time. It's a percolating, unpretentious town that works hard during the day and lets off steam when the sun goes down, sometimes until the next sun comes up. The nearby mountains also provide great opportunities for more high-altitude exploration, with oodles of hiking trails, temples, and deep forests where it's possible to lose yourself among the soothing pines.
