Palgongsan Cable Car

Updated June 4, 2026

Palgongsan Cable Car is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Daegu, South Korea. With a rating of 4.3 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find Palgongsan Cable Car at 51 Palgongsan-ro 185-gil, Yongsu-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea.

Visiting Palgongsan Cable Car

Located in Daegu, South Korea, Palgongsan Cable Car is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at 51 Palgongsan-ro 185-gil, Yongsu-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea. GPS coordinates: 35.990914, 128.694836. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

Places to Stay Near Palgongsan Cable Car"The love hiking trail is also a thing to do, so get your shoes ready "

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Palgongsan Cable Car is a mountain lift in Daegu, South Korea, whisking you up to Sinnimbong Peak at 820 meters. The ride is about 1.2 kilometers long and gets you to one of the mountain’s easiest viewpoints for city and mountain views.

You’ll hop into a modern gondola and glide up the slope, all with minimal effort. It’s a favorite for families, photographers, or anyone who wants the scenery without the sweat.

The cable car drops you right at a summit platform, so you step out to see Daegu’s urban sprawl below. Trails, temples, and the Gatbawi Rock Buddha statue are all within reach.

Getting to the base station takes about 30–40 minutes by bus from downtown Daegu. Once there, you’re at the peak in just a few minutes—much faster than hiking.

Around the upper station, you’ll find observation decks, photo spots, and a restaurant with outdoor seating. If you’re up for it, you can pair your visit with Donghwasa Temple or hike further along the ridge.

Key Takeaways

• The cable car climbs to 820 meters on Sinnimbong Peak, so you get mountain and city views without a tough hike.
• The upper station connects to trails and sits near Buddhist sites, including Gatbawi Rock.
• Public buses from Daegu reach the base, and the gondola gets you up the mountain in minutes.

Key Facts and Noteworthy Details

The Palgongsan Cable Car stretches 1.2 kilometers and tops out at 820 meters on Sinnimbong Peak. This spot is one of three major prayer sites on Palgongsan Mountain, along with Birobong Peak’s altar and the eastern Gatbawi Rock Buddha.

The ride gives you a slow reveal of Daegu and the mountain landscape as you ascend.

Technical Specifications:

The cable car is the most convenient way to reach the mountain’s ridge trails. From the top, you can hike along the ridge, but be prepared; the routes are long and need some planning.

What Makes It Notable:

• The landing platform is at Sinnimbong Peak, a Buddhist prayer site.
• It’s especially popular during autumn foliage season—crowds flock here then.
• You’re close to Donghwasa Temple, home to the big stone Buddha statue called Yaksayeoraedaebul.
• Multiple hiking trails branch off from here.

The cable car runs all year and draws families, couples, and hikers. Weekdays are quieter, especially outside the fall rush.

What Awaits You on the Journey

The cable car glides you up Sinnimbong Peak, 820 meters above sea level, with panoramic views of Daegu and the mountains. The ride is just a few minutes—quick but memorable.

You’ll move at a pace that’s comfortable for all ages. No need to worry about fitness levels here.

During the ride, you’ll notice:

• Big windows for wide-open views of valleys and peaks.
• Prime photo chances as city turns to forested slopes.
• Clear lines of sight to temples scattered across the landscape.

At the top, hiking trails fan out from the landing platform. Visitors leave tokens on wish rocks, and a 360-degree viewpoint lets you soak in the mountain panorama.

Weather really shapes your visit. On clear days, you’ll spot city landmarks and trace the skyline. If it’s hazy, you still get the mountain atmosphere, but the range is limited.

There’s a restaurant at the top if you want a hot drink or some Korean food. Even with weekend crowds, the cable car keeps people moving pretty efficiently.

Essential Planning Advice

Weekdays in spring or fall are the sweet spot—less crowded and the mountain looks its best. Hop on public bus 401 from downtown Daegu to the cable car base, and think about booking tickets ahead during busy times.

Best Times to Visit

Late October to early November is peak autumn—fiery red and gold leaves everywhere, but also the longest lines. On weekends, waits can stretch past two hours.

Spring (April to May) is milder and less crowded, with wildflowers blooming. Winter brings crisp, clear views, though some trails can get icy.

If you can, go on a weekday morning when the cable car opens. Summer gets hot and sticky, and July’s monsoon rains can shut down the lift.

How to Get There

Bus 401 runs from Dongdaegu Station straight to the cable car terminal. The ride’s about 50 minutes and costs roughly 1,500 won.

A taxi from downtown Daegu will set you back about 20,000–25,000 won and takes 30–40 minutes if traffic’s decent. If you’re driving, there’s parking, but it fills up fast on weekends.

The terminal is at the base of Sinnimbong Peak. English signs make it easy to spot once you get off the bus.

Insider Tips

Buy tickets online to skip the line at the booth, especially in peak season. Round-trip tickets are cheaper than two singles.

Bring a light jacket—even in summer, it gets chilly up top. Food options are limited at the summit, so maybe eat before you go or pack snacks.

Check the cable car’s status before you leave; wind sometimes shuts things down with little warning. Usual hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, but they run later during fall foliage season.

Nearby Experiences and Other Places to Discover

Donghwasa Temple is about 2 km from the cable car station at the base. It’s a major Buddhist site with traditional Korean architecture and a 33-meter-tall Buddha statue. You can get there on the same Bus 401 from Dongdaegu Station.

Gatbawi Rock is close to the summit and draws both hikers and pilgrims. The stone Buddha here dates back to the Unified Silla era, and you’ll reach it via a hiking trail that’s about 1.5 hours from the cable car area.

Ingaksa Temple and Gunwisa-jonsokgul Cave offer more cultural stops in Palgongsan Provincial Park. The cave has a bit of history, while Ingaksa is a quieter temple compared to Donghwasa.

The Palgongsan Natural Recreation Forest is good for gentler walks and rest areas. Near the cable car entrance, you’ll find restaurants serving Korean classics like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), dakbokkeumtang (spicy chicken), and orihanjeongsik (duck set meals).

After dark, the mountain roads give you views of Daegu’s city lights. Gwaneum Rest Area on the Gyeongsan side is known for roadside photo ops and seasonal displays. Buses run regularly during the day, but double-check last bus times if you’re staying late.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re planning a cable car trip, you’ll probably want to know about access, timing, costs, and what else you can see nearby. Most folks combine the ride with a temple visit or a short hike.

Where is the cable car station located, and what’s the easiest way to reach it from central Daegu without a tour?

The station is on the southern slope of Palgongsan Mountain, about 20 kilometers north of downtown Daegu. You can catch city bus 101 or urgent bus 1 from Dongdaegu Station or the subway—both go right to the cable car stop. Expect about a 50-minute ride, traffic depending.

If you’re coming from Banwoldang or downtown, transfer to bus 101 at a main interchange. Taxis from downtown cost 25,000–30,000 won and take 30–40 minutes.

Do I need to book tickets in advance, and how do queues and boarding work on weekends and peak foliage season?

Advance reservations aren’t required. You buy tickets at the base station—first come, first served. Weekends and autumn foliage season (late October to early November) see the longest lines, sometimes up to 60–90 minutes between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

If you arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., waits are usually 20 minutes or less. Each cabin fits about 50 people, and departures are frequent when it’s busy.

What are the current fares, and are there any discounts or bundle options for round-trip rides or local attractions?

Round-trip fares are around 11,000–12,000 won for adults and 8,000–9,000 won for kids as of mid-2026. One-way tickets are a bit less, but then you’re hiking down—expect two to three hours on steep trails.

Sometimes you can get a small discount if you show a Daegu city tour pass or a receipt from Donghwasa Temple. Groups of ten or more get a rate break if you book at the counter.

What are the operating hours by season, and what kinds of weather or wind conditions typically cause service suspensions?

The cable car runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in spring and summer, with last boarding at 5:30 p.m. Winter hours are shorter—usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Always check the official schedule, since hours shift a bit in March and November.

If winds top 15 meters per second or there’s heavy rain or snow, the cable car stops temporarily. Fog doesn’t usually close it, but you won’t see much. Lightning or ice on the cables also means a pause until things clear up.

How much time should I plan at the top, and which short trails or viewpoints are best if I only have 1–2 hours?

Give yourself at least 90 minutes at the summit if you want to explore beyond the platform. The trail to Sinnimbong Peak takes about 20 minutes each way and gives you wide views over Daegu’s northern edge.

A short paved loop near the cable car exit leads to observation decks and a snack spot in about 15 minutes. If you have two hours, try hiking east toward Dongbong Peak—it’s steeper, but the ridgeline views are worth it and you’ll see fewer people. Just double back in time for your ride down.

Can I combine the ride with a visit to nearby temples like Donghwasa in one day, and what’s the most efficient route between them?

Donghwasa Temple is about four kilometers downhill from the cable car station, right along the same winding road. It’s definitely doable to visit both spots in a single day.

Most people take the cable car up first, then hop on bus 101 going back down. Just get off at the Donghwasa stop—the ride’s only about ten minutes.

If you don’t feel like waiting for a bus, you could grab a taxi between the two. It’ll cost around 8,000 won, give or take.

Some folks prefer starting at Donghwasa in the morning, since that’s when it’s quieter and tour groups haven’t really arrived yet. After wandering the temple grounds, you can head up to the cable car around midday.

That way, you get some peaceful time at the temple and still make it to the summit before the afternoon haze or crowds set in.