Ha-jungdo in the Middle of the Geumho River, Daegu, Where the Fields Change with Each Season

The process by which 'Hajungdo' changed from farmland into an ecological river space in 2012

Hajungdo is the name for an island formed in the middle of Geumhogang. According to Daegu city Information, Geumhogang Hajungdo in Nogeok-dong is Introduction as the largest among the various Hajungdo islands in Geumhogang, and in the past it had a concentration of vegetable fields and vinyl greenhouses, along with water pollution problems caused by excessive fertilizer use.

During the 2012 Geumhogang ecological river creation and maintenance project, around 500 unauthorized vinyl greenhouses were cleared and canola and cosmos were planted, creating the current riverside flower field character. So rather than thinking of this place as a permanent garden, it is easier to plan your route and visit time if you understand it as a space combining the river floodplain and seasonal planting.

The 98,500㎡ cosmos area that set the standard for autumn routes

In 2017, Daegu City created a flower complex on Hajungdo with a total area of 98,500㎡, combining 76,500㎡ of common cosmos and 22,000㎡ of yellow cosmos. At that time, the opening period was August 26 to September 24, and the peak bloom was expected in early September. Since planting, blooming, and opening ranges can change every year, it is safest to check Daegu City or Daegu Tourism notices again right before your autumn visit.

Official guides repeatedly note that canola flowers are the key spring scenery and cosmos are the key autumn scenery. If flowers are your main goal, it is better to prioritize the morning or the time before sunset, when the light is lower than at midday, but bridge and pedestrian path operations and event restrictions can vary by season, so follow on-site guidance.

• Total area of the 2017 autumn flower complex: 98,500㎡
• Common cosmos: 76,500㎡
• Yellow cosmos: 22,000㎡
• Parking at the time: 650 existing spaces, plus 350 temporary spaces

'Geumho Flower Island' is a nickname, and it should be distinguished from an official place-name confirmation

The name 'Geumho Flower Island' was proposed after citizen-name ideas and preference surveys. However, in Daegu City's 2023 response to a civil complaint, it was explained that the name proposal was put on hold due to differing opinions during the review process by the Buk-gu place-name committee. Therefore, maps and official documents may list both 'Geumhogang Hajungdo' and 'Hajungdo'.

For travel searches, it is better to enter 'Daegu Hajungdo', 'Geumhogang Hajungdo', and 'Geumho Flower Island' together. For destination settings, use 665, Nogeok-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City as the Standard, and when checking event notices or directions, also confirm nearby place names such as Nogeok Bridge, Nogeok-dong stop, and Paldal Bridge.

How to transfer from Manpyeong Station and Buk-gu Office Station to the 'Nogeok-dong' stop

For public transportation, the official guide presents a method of transferring once from Subway Line 3 to a bus. The first route is to get off at Manpyeong Station, transfer to Buk-gu No. 3 at Paldal Sijang 2 stop, and get off at Nogeok-dong stop.

Another route is to get off at Buk-gu Office Station on Subway Line 3, transfer to Chilgok No. 2 at the 'Buk-gu Office Across the Street' stop, and get off at Nogeok-dong stop. Paldal Station is a station served by Line 3 and the Buk-gu 4, Chilgok 2, and 730 buses, so depending on where you are staying, you can also compare routes via this station.

• Subway: Line 3 Manpyeong Station or Buk-gu Office Station
• Manpyeong Station transfer: Paldal Sijang 2 stop → Buk-gu No. 3 → Nogeok-dong stop
• Buk-gu Office Station transfer: Buk-gu Office Across the Street stop → Chilgok No. 2 → Nogeok-dong stop
• Reference points for directions: Nogeok Bridge, Paldal Bridge, Nogeok-dong

Driving access via Nogeok Bridge and Paldal Bridge, and parking considerations

For private cars, using Sincheon-daero and Nogeok Bridge as reference points makes access easier to judge. On Daegu City's guide map, the suggested route is to enter Nogeok-ro 1-gil from the detour road under the bridge before entering Paldal Bridge, go straight for about 1.5 km, and then turn right, or cross Nogeok Bridge, move toward Nogeok Village, make a U-turn, and then turn right about 70 m from the Nogeok Bridge direction.

The Korea Tourism Organization guide specifies use of public parking lots. During the 2017 cosmos opening, there were 650 existing spaces plus 350 temporary parking spaces around Nowon Sports Park, but this was the figure for event operations at the time, so it should not be taken as the current permanent parking capacity. On flower-blooming weekends or during large events, you must separately check whether temporary parking and traffic controls are in place.

Open year-round and free, but expectations should be lowered in seasons without flowers

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Hajungdo is open year-round and free to use. It is not a place with a separately confirmed ticket booth or reservation procedure, but the flower fields change depending on seasonal planting and weather. If your schedule is centered on canola or cosmos, it is better to check bloom notices and recent on-site photos rather than visiting based only on the date.

For a leisurely look at the flower fields and riverside walking paths, the recommended stay time can be around 40 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, since the official materials do not confirm the length of a formal loop course, wheelchair-only routes, or foreign-language information facilities, users of wheelchairs or strollers should inquire about pedestrian bridge and on-site pavement conditions before departure.

• Operation: Open year-round
• Admission: Free
• Address: 665, Nogeok-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City
• Inquiry reference: Daegu City Geumhogang Development Division, 053-803-2341

Distance to keep from otter habitat and the Geumhogang Bicycle Path

Daegu City's Dulle-gil guide explains that Hajungdo is home to otters, which are a Class I endangered wild animal and a natural monument. Even when simply viewing the flower fields, it is better to avoid going down forcefully to the river edge or chasing wild animals. This is a place where planted scenery and natural wetlands meet.

The nearby Geumhogang Bicycle Path carries fast-moving bicycles, so the official guidance notes that caution is needed when walking. When crossing the bike path, remove your earphones, check left and right, and avoid standing on the roadway for a long time to take photos. As this is an outdoor space centered on water and grassland, it is practical to prepare insect repellent and water in summer, and non-slip shoes after rain.

In visit reviews from 2024 and 2025, there are cases mentioning sunrise and cosmos photography, convenient parking, and walking trails as advantages. On the other hand, during periods when the flowers are not in full bloom, it may feel monotonous to visitors expecting a large planting area, so it is more suitable for people who enjoy riverside walks themselves rather than seasonal scenery alone.