Daegu Alleyway Tours 2 - Walking Along Korea's Historic Pathways 'Jin Alley', 'Samduk-dong Mural Alley', 'Handmade Shoes Alley'

 Special Alleyway Tours in Daegu 2 

Walking Along Daegu's Historic Pathways

Photos and writing : Suk-hyun Kim(travel writer)

Daegu in South Korea is famous for alleyway tours. 
Today, Daegu Travel introduces Daegu's 3 historic pathways 'Jin Alley', 'Samduk-dong Mural Alley' and 'Handmade Shoes Alley'.


    'Jin Alley' the Relic of Modern History, Layered in Each Red Brick

If Dongseongro is the place for youth, shopping and foodies, Jin Alley with red bricks is a relic of Daegu’s modern history.
Jin Alley used to be an exclusive village of the Dalseong Seo family during the Japanese colonial era. The high and thick fences made of red bricks during that time are still existing until now.

The most famous thing at Jin Alley is Mido Dabang. This old café is a cozy place where old gentlemen with grey hairs would talk over a cup of Yakcha, a medicinal tea served with ginger and brown sugar for dipping.

    Joy of Window Shopping at 'Hyangchon-dong Handmade Shoes Alley'

You should head to the Hyangchon-dong Handmade Shoes Alley, not the department store, if you want a fancy pair of shoes which perfectly fits your feet.

Along the 200 meters from Gyeongsang Gamyoung Park to Hyangchon Cultural Center, handmade shoe stores are located. This alley was established by master artisans of handmade shoes since the 1970s and 1980s.

You can find about 70 shoe-related stores including a shoe factory (where shoes are made with mastery), shoe stores, shoe repair shops and leather stores for shoes.


    Samduk-dong Mural Alley, Friendlier Without Fences

There is a small mural near Samduk-dong Community Center. Actually, Samduk-dong is known for renovating the town by breaking down the fences, not the mural. The first place to have its fences broken down is the Kids Center, which is one block away from the Community Center.
Nearby, 'Hope Bike Maker' which manufactures unique bikes, can be found. The special bikes made here are displayed at ‘Magojae’.



Notable places to see in Samduk-dong are: Magojae (a nostalgic and cultural place for the villagers), Bitsal Art Museum (which is made by renovating old Japanese-style houses) and Samduk-dong Community Center (which is open to everyone thanks to the absence of fences).


Information

1. Daegu Alleyways
  ■ Jin Alley : 132, Namil-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
  ■ Hyangchon-dong Handmade Shoes Alley : 9-1, Hyangchon-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
  ■ Samduk-dong Community Center in Samduk-dong Mural Alley : 174-2, Samdeok-dong 3-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea

2. Accomodations
  ■ Gog-gam Guest House(Empathy Guest house) : 32, Jungang-daero 79-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
   ∙ Contact : +82-70-8915-8991 
   ∙ Website : http://empathyguesthouse.modoo.at
  ■ Guamseowon : 492-58, Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
   ∙ Contact : +82-53-428-9900
   ∙ Website : www.dtc.or.kr
  ■ Eldis Rigent Hotel : 2033, Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
   ∙ Contact : +82-53-253-7711
   ∙ Website : www.eldishotel.com
  ■ Novotel Daegu City Center : 611, Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea
   ∙ Contact : +82-53-664-1101 
   ∙ Website : www.novoteldaegu.co.kr