Wanna time travel? Come to Otgol Village, Daegu for a serene afternoon

    Although the year 2022 seems to have only started yesterday, a third of it has already passed. In order to look back the busy first third of the year and have a moment for relaxation, I visited “Otgol Village”, one of Daegu’s villages. This village would be a fresh discovery for those who think Daegu is just a bustling and lavish metropolis. We’d wholeheartedly recommend stopping by Otgol Village when you need an escape from your tight itinerary and some relaxation.

✅Name: Otgol Village
✅Address: Otgol Village, Dunsan-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea
✅Admissions: Free 

    The most plausible theory on the name Otgol Village is that it was named after the numerous lacquer trees (‘Ot’ tree in Korean) in the surrounding mountains and fields. Also, in 1616, Dae-am Choi Dong-jip, a scholar of the mid Joseon Dynasty period, moved to Daegu, forming a single-clan village of the Chois of Gyeongju. 

The entrance to Otgol Village

    The first thought I had when I arrived at Otgol Village was: ‘So there’s still a corner of Korea that’s peaceful and tranquil.’ From families taking a walk with children to elderly couples enjoying a relaxing time, different generations were enjoying the serenity of the place, creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. 

Cherry blossoms in Otgol Village

    I visited the village in early spring when things were starting to warm up. As Daegu is located in southern part of Korea, cherry blossoms were blooming heavily. These blossoms seemed to blend well with the neutral and rustic tone of the village.

A view of zelkova trees and the village forest

    As you walk around the village, you’ll find trees that are several hundred years old. The tranquility of these sentinels of the peacefulness of the village makes for an even more comforting atmosphere. According to the sign, the tall tree at the front of the village is over 400 years old and was planted to repel the evil that was believed to permeate the village due to the high altitude of the village, which opens up the view of branches of nearby rivers.

Views of stone walls.

    In particular, I was very happy to come across the stonewalled roads, which are quite difficult to find in Korea. Otgol Village is an ideal place to spend some quality relaxing time strolling down the stonewalled path, passing by old hanoks along the way.

Old houses and stonewalls.

    Looking at the old houses built in harmony with the stonewalls made me feel as if I’d gone back in time to the Joseon era. Other visitors were surprised to find such a serene place as this in Daegu, too.

Saengguiam Rock

    Did you notice something unusual about the mountain you see in the distance behind the street of old houses? You’ll be able to see the protruding rock in the image. According to the sign, the rock located at 350m above sea level at Daeambong Peak in Otgol Village is the Saengguiam Rock. It is said the boulder looks different depending on the direction from which it is viewed. From one side, it is said to resemble a dragon's head, and from another, it seems to look like a turtle.

    Although the village isn’t that big, it’s still a perfect place to unwind, with restaurants and cafés. I hope that all travelers, tired of the hustle and bustle of crowded destinations, visit Otgol Village and feel the relaxing and calming atmosphere of Otgol village.

#Daegu_Travel #Travel_To_Daegu_Korea #Korea_Travel #Otgol_Village #Relaxing_Travel #Experience_Tour #Village_For_Experience_Tour #Korean_Hanok #Hanok_Travel #Stone_Walled_Road_Daegu