Gumi Voyage Tips and guide

Gumi (구미시) is a city in North Gyeongsang.

Gumi is a major industrial epicenter in South Korea, being home to the Samsung mobile and LG Display industrial complexes. The city is located along the Nakdong River and is surrounded by mountains such as Geumosan, making it both an industrial hub and a place with notable natural scenery. Though not a popular tourist destination, Gumi provides excellent hiking and cultural opportunities for visitors.

Gumi is also the birthplace of Park Chung-hee, the military dictator who ruthlessly ruled South Korea in the 1960s-1970s. Ironically, the city is also the birthplace of his assassin, KCIA director Kim Jae-gyu, who shot him in 1979.

0°0′0″N 0°0′0″E

Map of Gumi

Gumi does not have an airport, so you need to use an airport in a nearby city.

35.8942128.65891 Daegu International Airport The closest airport to Gumi, about a 40–50 minute drive. It offers domestic flights (e.g., to Jeju) and some international flights (e.g., China, Japan).

35.1806128.9382 Gimhae International Airport About a 1 hour 40 minute to 2 hour drive from Gumi. It has a wide range of international flights and many domestic flights, making it the main choice for overseas travel.

36.7164127.49913 Cheongju International Airport About a 2-hour drive from Gumi. Operates domestic flights to Jeju and some international routes.

High speed KTX services are offered from 36.113056128.1802784 Gimcheon–Gumi Station (김천 구미 역). Gimcheon(Gumi) Station (金泉(龜尾)驛, Gimcheon(Gumi) station) is a railway station on the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway located in Oksan-ri, Nam-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. In the Korea Railroad Corporation’s system, the registered Korean name of the station is “김천구미역” (Gimcheon-Gumi Station), and the registered English name is “Gimcheon(gumi).” Although “Gumi” is technically a parallel (secondary) name, in practice, the full designation including “Gumi” is commonly used. Therefore, both “Gimcheon(Gumi) Station” and “Gimcheon-Gumi Station” are treated as the station’s de facto name. The station is an exclusive high-speed rail station located within the Gimcheon Innovation City development district. It was established to improve the transportation network in response to the construction of the Innovation City and the influx of population, as well as to provide better access to the industrial complexes in Gimcheon and Gumi. The station opened on November 1, 2010, together with the launch of the second phase of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Railway.

Train schedules and fares can be checked and booked in real time on the Korail website or mobile app.

Gumi is also on the main Gyeongbu Line and dozens of medium speed Saemaul and Mugungwhwa trains pass through Gumi Station every day. The Saemaul trip from Seoul is about 3 hours, and nearly 2.5 hours to Busan. Gimcheon-Gumi is the nearest KTX station, about 15 minutes away.

Gumi is also easily accessible by bus, with several buses per day from Seoul. City buses run through major areas such as Gumi Station, City Hall, Geumosan, Indong, and the Sandong Advanced Industrial Complex. Intercity buses operate to nearby cities such as Daegu and Gimcheon. The fare is about 1,500 won for adults, with discounts available for teenagers and children. Transit cards such as T-money and Cashbee are accepted, and transfer discounts are available. Most buses run from around 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., though schedules may vary depending on the route.

Bus stops are mainly labeled in Korean, so first-time visitors are advised to use navigation apps like KakaoMap or Naver Map. At Gumi Intercity Bus Terminal and Gumi Express Bus Terminal, travelers can take express and intercity buses, with convenient transfers to city buses for easy access to downtown or tourist destinations.

Most of Gumi can be accessed by city buses. There is no rapid rail in the city and the bus system is below average for Korean standards. There are many taxis that are quite fair and honest and will take you anywhere you want to go.

• 36.1139128.33751 Geumosan Provincial Park

At 976 meters, Geumosan is the highest mountain in Gumi and a popular hiking destination. The park features a scenic lake at the entrance, a botanical garden, and a waterfall that freezes in winter and roars in spring and summer. A small cave is located near the waterfall. The hike to the summit takes about 2 hours (3.5 hours round trip), where visitors will find a temple with panoramic views, a picnic area at a helicopter pad, and a 700-year-old Buddha stone carving.

On foot: From Gumi Station, walk through downtown toward the Lotte Castle apartments. At the intersection marked by an outdoor equipment store and a gaming shop with a large PlayStation 2 logo, turn right. Walk about 1.5 km along a creek, past a ship-shaped restaurant, and around the lake to reach the park (approx. 30 minutes).

By bus: Bus #12 departs from Gumi Station and the bus terminal every 90 minutes and goes directly to Geumosan.

Contact:+82 54-480-4604

Tip:The higher you climb, the fewer the crowds. Weekends are especially busy.

• 36.08833128.349172 President Park Chung Hee Birthplace

A non-attractive traditional Korean hut in which military dictator Park Chung-hee was born. The surroundings of his birthplace have been substantially expanded to include a memorial hall, a statue of himself and a garden.

• 36.099269128.4016973 Dongrak Park(동락공원)

Along the Nakdonggang, it was created as a waterfront urban park in an area of 267,751㎡ from Imsu-dong under Gumi Bridge to Jung-ri, Seokjeok-eup, Chilgok-gun. It is a place that is loved by citizens with a promenade of more than 9.3km, a wide lawn of 163,020㎡, various sports facilities and convenience facilities. Admission is free of charge. In spring, many people gather because cherry blossoms bloom beautifully.

• 36.1262128.34074 Geumosan Market (금오시장)

Gumo Market (금오시장) is one of the main traditional markets in Gumi, offering a lively glimpse into local daily life. Visitors will find a wide range of goods, from fresh produce and seafood to clothing and household items. The market is also known for its affordable street food and regional specialties such as jjim-galbi (braised short ribs), makchang (grilled pork intestines), and sundae (Korean blood sausage). Most stalls are open from morning until evening, though opening hours may vary. The market is easily accessible by bus or taxi from Gumi Station. It is a great place to experience the atmosphere of a bustling Korean marketplace and enjoy authentic local flavors.

• 36.11835128.348755 Gumi Culture & Arts Center

The Gumi Culture & Arts Center is the main cultural venue in the city, located at 89 Songjeong-daero. It features a large and small performance hall, exhibition rooms, and rehearsal spaces. The center regularly hosts concerts, plays, dance performances, musicals, and art exhibitions, making it a hub for local culture and the arts. Travelers can enjoy performances depending on the schedule, or visit exhibitions that often highlight both regional and national artists. Ticket prices vary depending on the event, and some exhibitions are free of charge. The venue is easily accessible by local buses from Gumi Station or the bus terminal, and it is situated near city hall and the downtown area with many cafes and restaurants.

Other attractions:

• Gumi Science Center
• Gumi Zero Carbon Education Center
• Gumi Ecology Land
• Silla Buddhist Chojeonji
• Yaeun History Experience Center
• Okseong Recreation Forest
• Wangsan Huwui Memorial Hall
• Cheonsaengsanseong Fortress

Go to a Gumi LIG Greaters volleyball game. The games receive a lot of support from the locals and are genuinely fun to go to. They have enthusiastic chants and cheers and the fans are very excited about volleyball. It is the only professional sport in the city.

Nakdonggang Sports Park. This is a sports facility. It is a stadium equipped with natural grass fields and mondo tracks, and was completed on 7 May 2012. There are many stadiums such as a general stadium, a soccer field, a baseball field, a futsal field, a foot volleyball court, and a badminton court. Depending on the season, various flowers such as pink muley and cosmos bloom beautifully.

Buy Ginseng. Like all Korean cities, Gumi is no exception to ginseng. The most famous ginseng store in Gumi is located about eight blocks east of the train station and about four blocks South of the bus terminal.

Eat Makchang (막창) and Gopchang (곱창). One can find very decent restaurants that serve these dishes on nearly every block of the city. Makchang is historically from nearby Daegu but Gumi has some delicious restaurants that serve the dish. If you do not know about Makchang, it is grilled pork intestine that is then chopped up and served with Doeinjang (bean paste sauce)

Gopchang is the only dish that Gumi can really try to claim as its own, though it originates from nearby Seonsan (선산). Gopchang is a boiled version of Makchang, but it cooked in a sweet and spicy (more spicy) sauce and is very delicious.

Love motels are cheap and plentiful in Gumi. One can usually get a room for around $20 on weeknights or $30 on weekends. Motel Geumosan, located at the base of the mountain, is by far the most luxurious hotel in the city and runs around $200 a night.

• Andong, home of the annual International Mask Festival and UNESCO World Heritage rated Hahoe Folk Village.
• Daegu, the nearest major city, and South Korea's third largest.
• Gimcheon, nearby city located along a major highway and rail link, halfway between Daegu and Daejeon.