The Great Tiger of Asia Has a Lot to Offer

The Korean national animal, the animal that represents the country as a whole (including the People’s Republic of Korea) is the tiger. Though I’ve only seen one tiger during my 1 month stay, I can understand why South Korea is known internationally as an Asian Tiger. Korea grows majestically, and before you know it it’s falling over you, unseen and cunning.

A look over a residential area in the traditional city of Gyeongju, which was the capital of Korea in a time long past.

Even a city which is considered small and calm for Korean standards is bustling with high rise buildings and is inhabited by 600 000 people. Though in accordance to the country-side status, there’s a lot of agricultural activities right next to the city center. Korea enjoys from locally produced products.

Panorama of the city of Daegu, with Keimyung University Seongseo campus on the lower right side.

I’m living in the city of Daegu, southeast inland part of Korea. It’s the 4th biggest city in Korea with 4 mil inhabitants.

Keimyung University logo displayed on a banner.

Adams chapel is one of the christian symbols from the American founded university.

The old administration building of Keimyung University.

Campus area picture, bustling with students.

Sunset behind mountains, an extremely typical view. Photo taken just behind university campus hills.

Studying in Keimyung University is bound to be a great experience for anyone, specially considering it’s a very religious university, rooted in its religious foundation. The campus area is beautiful, and has been chosen as the most beautiful campus in Korea several times.

High-rise building being constructed on the Hyeunde district in Busan. Fast, fast, fast.

In Korea buildings rise high, and fast, the “bali bali” (fast-fast) culture of Korea is visible, palpable and easily experienced anywhere. The country grows, and it does so very fast.

The seaside temple complex of Haedonggyonggungsa.

One of the great symbolic creatures of Buddhism is a dragon. Displayed in Haedonggyonggunsa.

Korea has countless temples spread throughout the country, even though younger generations are growing uninterested of the past religious culture from generations before.

A traditional Korean rice porridge meal. Porridge on steroids, with mushrooms, meat, seeds and of course kimchi on the side.

Of course the food in Korea is absolutely fantastic, and dining out is a conscious and daily part of Korean lifestyle. The food in Korea takes many shapes, tastes and flavors, but usually one thing never missing on a meal is “kimchi” (cabbage matured under the ground). Meals are usually served with plenty side dishes to follow up on the main dish.

A group of musicians performing in the walkway of Ghwandalli beach, Gwangan bridge on the background.

A group of musicians playing in Hyeunde beach, Busan.

Popular culture in Korea involves a lot of music, but only one music style to rule them all, K-Pop. Several musician groups usually perform acoustic versions of popular K-Pop songs. In this bali-bali culture it’s relieving to see people still being able to sit down and appreciate music.

The flock of mountain hikers tend to be older people, from older generations.

Me, and 2 colleagues from Finland, conquering a small peak in Palgong mountain within Daegu ~650m high.

Being the mountainous country that Korea is, any blog-postcard wouldn’t be complete without a mountain, and a Finnish flag, showing that no matter where, Finns will be there.

The Great Tiger of Asia Has a Lot to Offer

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