The best and fastest way for first-time visitors to Daegu to experience the essence of the city's history and culture is to go on a free bus tour offered by the Daegu Tourist Information Center (DTIC).

Altogether, 15 different courses are offered through the Daegu City Tour Program, eight of which depart from the DTIC. The starting point for the other seven is Daegu International Airport.

Major tourist attractions in the city can be visited, including Nampyeong Mun Clan's Original Residence Area, Daegu Arboretum, Seomun Market, Daegu Confucian Academy and Yangnyeongsi, the herb medicine market.

The center also offers bus tours based on themes such as 'Developed Green Area,' 'Industry,' and 'Cultural Relics.' Well-known parks such as Dalseong Park and Gyeongsang-gamyoung Park are included in the Developed Green Area tour program, while visits to the Korea Textile Development Institute and the Exhibition Hall of Yangnyeong Market are included in the Industry program.

The Cultural Relics program encompasses a larger variety of landmarks, testifying to the city's rich historical and cultural heritage. Starting with famous museums such as the Daegu National Museum and the Museum of Kyongpook National University, the cultural tour takes in the Historical

Site of General Sin, Donghwasa Temple, Bullodong Tomb Park, Twelve Distinguished Gwak's Shrine and Mt. Palgong.

The center also has a library which houses about 1,000 books to provide tourists with background materials and advice. At the center's theater, a film introducing the history, culture and tourist attractions of Daegu can be viewed.

Buses for the tour leave at 10 a.m. every morning. While the tour is offered free of charge, participants will have to pay admission fees for tourist sites as required.

For more information or reservations call (82-53) 627-8900 or visit the DTIC's Web site at www.daegutour.or.kr.