Banwoldang Station: The Heart of Daegu's Subway Network

Banwoldang Station (반월당역) isn't just a subway stop...it's Daegu's transit pulse point, a cultural landmark, and a daily necessity for tens of thousands. If you're living in Daegu, visiting, or just navigating to a downtown café, chances are you'll pass through Banwoldang.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Banwoldang Station. From exits and transfers to nearby hotspots, bus stops, hidden facilities, and local quirks. No matter if you're trying to find the fastest transfer between Lines 1 and 2 or wondering which exit leads to Daiso or Dongseong-ro, we've got you.
Why Banwoldang Station Matters
Banwoldang Station sits in the heart of Daegu’s Jung-gu district. Home to the Jung-gu District Office and many of the city’s cultural, financial, and commercial landmarks. As the central "gu" (administrative district) of Daegu, Jung-gu includes not just the wider Banwoldang area but also key neighborhoods like Samdeok-dong, Namsan-dong, and stretches north to Gyo-dong. This dense urban core connects locals and visitors to everything from historic herbal markets to nightlife zones.
- 🚇 Only underground transfer station between Daegu Metro Line 1 and Line 2
- 🔁 Most exits of any subway station in Korea (23 official exits, 43 total including shopping mall paths)
- 🏙️ Direct access to Dongseong-ro shopping, Yangnyeongsi, Hyundai Dept. Store, CGV
If Seoul has Sindorim or Gangnam, Daegu has Banwoldang. This is where the city's subway history started, and it's still where the most foot traffic flows.
Station Basics
- Lines Served: Line 1 (Station 130), Line 2 (Station 230)
- Opened: Line 1 (1997), Line 2 (2005)
- Structure: Underground (Line 1 is 3rd level, Line 2 is 4th level)
- Exits: 23 numbered exits + 20+ underground mall exits
- Facilities: Toilets inside fare area (rare in Daegu), Lost & Found, Subway Police
- Transfer Passage: Slanted diagonal tunnels with central shared gate
📞 Station Contact: 053-640-3333
📍 Address: 2100 Basement, Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu (Deoksan-dong 88)
While Banwoldang is the most trafficked station in Daegu’s metro system, it’s part of a broader network of key transfer and destination stops. Notable stations include Dongdaegu Station, the city’s main KTX hub; Seomun Market Station, located near Korea’s oldest traditional market; Keimyung University Station for the sprawling west-side campus; and Anjirang Station, known for its food alley. Understanding these connection points makes navigating Daegu’s metro both efficient and intuitive.
Expat Tips: Navigating Banwoldang Like a Local
🧭 Know Your Line Entrance
- Line 1 entrances skew south of Dalgubeol-daero (toward Nammun Market)
- Line 2 entrances skew north (toward Dongseong-ro and shopping)
- If you're meeting friends downtown, tell them to use a Line 2 exit, it's usually closer.
🚷 Platform Confusion Alert
- Line 1 uses separate side platforms, meaning each direction has its own isolated platform with no internal crossover. If you accidentally enter the platform going the wrong way, there's no way to switch directions without exiting the fare zone completely or transferring via Line 2 to circle back. Both options eat up time.
- Transfer escalators between Line 1 and Line 2 are not centered. If you're on Line 1 and miss the first escalator near cars 2–3, you'll have to walk another 35 meters along a sloped connector tunnel to reach the next one. It’s an annoying detour, especially during peak hours.
💡 Exit Labeling Is a Mess
- Some exit pairs (e.g., 15/16) are not clearly marked. Signs face outward, so look back after passing them.
- Always check both directions when looking for your exit. Signs aren’t visible from all angles.

Subway Layout + Transfer Mechanics
🔄 Transfer Path (Line 1 ⇄ Line 2)
- From Line 2 to Line 1: Use escalators at either end. Fastest transfer happens if you're near cars 2-4 or 6-4.
- From Line 1 to Line 2: Watch for platform direction; transferring means going up, then diagonally down.
- Toilets: Located in the fare area, near transfer midpoints (rare in Daegu)
🚊 Line 1 Platform
- Type: Separate side platforms — each direction has its own track and platform, with no way to switch sides inside the fare zone. If you enter on the wrong side, you’ll need to exit and re-enter or transfer via Line 2.
- Issues: Narrow during rush hour
- Popular Exits: 1, 2, 19 for Nammun Market / old town
🚊 Line 2 Platform
- Type: Central island platform — trains in both directions share a single wide platform. You can board either side and switch directions without leaving the fare area.
- Popular Exits: 10, 11, 13, 14 for Dongseong-ro, shopping, restaurants
Nearby Highlights + Where Each Exit Takes You
Shopping & Culture
🛍️ What Is Metro Center?
Metro Center (메트로센터) is not just some generic underground mall. It's an anchor of Banwoldang Station and a local landmark in its own right. Originally developed as a public-private partnership to modernize Banwoldang’s underground space, Metro Center connects key station exits (especially 10–16) and integrates:
- 🥢 Food court with rotating vendors, local favorites, and seasonal pop-ups
- 🛍️ Boutique shops and small chains (cosmetics, stationery, accessories)
- 💼 Business offices and co-working hubs tucked behind the public corridors
- 🧭 Convergence point for 5+ major pedestrian flows, including Hyundai, Dong-A, and Yangnyeongsi directions
It’s designed to help commuters, tourists, and locals transition between shopping, transit, and downtown amenities...all without surfacing. In fact, on rainy or snowy days, Metro Center becomes the de facto pedestrian spine of downtown Daegu.
- The Hyundai Daegu (Exits 14–18): Flagship mall, connected underground
- Dong-A Dept. Store (Exits 13–16): Legacy retail, multiple entrances
- Banwoldang Underground Mall (Accessible via most exits): 400+ shops, open early
- Yangnyeongsi Herbal Market (Exits 13–18): Historic, herbal medicine street
- CGV Banwoldang / Academy (Exits 13–14): Major cinema spot
- Metro Center / Plaza: Anchors multiple exits; food court, event space

☕ Cafés, Essentials, Expats Spots
- 7-Eleven, ArtBox, Daiso, GS25 inside station
- Exit 11–14 Zone: Trendy cafés, chicken pubs, skincare shops
- Bandal Square: Redeveloped office/retail area with modern eateries and banks
🏢 Banks + Services
- Shinhan, Kookmin, Hana, Daegu Bank all within 5–7 min walk from exits 12–14
- ATM available inside Metro Center (cashbee + T-money support)
🏥 Medical + Utility
- Red Cross Hospital: Exit 19–20
- Pharmacies: Multiple in underground mall (some open 24/7)
- Subway Police: 3rd level, Ansim direction
Bus Connections + Surface Travel
🚏 Main Bus Stops (Grouped by Exit)
- Exit 1: 306, 349, 401, 410-1, 503, 805
- Exit 2: 204, 304, 518, 649, 706
- Exit 9/10 (Dongseong-ro): Express 2, 609, 649, 990, 991
- Exit 18/19 (Hyundai, Yangnyeongsi): 405, 504, 609, 990
🚖 Taxi Zones
- Near Exits 11–13
- Expect wait times on weekends...this is Daegu’s meetup central
🚲 Bicycle Parking
- Limited racks near Exit 2 & 19
- Nearby Dalgubeol-daero has city bike stations
Historical and Cultural Significance
- 🛍️ Banwoldang was originally a Korean-run department store during Japanese occupation
- 🏙️ It became synonymous with Daegu's central intersection, business and shopping district
- 📈 Gained prominence after 2003 Daegu subway fire shifted foot traffic from Jungang-ro to Banwoldang
- 📦 Now surrounded by a mix of residential apartments, office towers, and commercial plazas
Incidents + Infrastructure Notes
- 2003: Construction fire during Line 2 build — no casualties
- 2015 + 2016: Escalator motor fires — led to safety upgrades
- 2018: Assault incident on Line 2 platform; improved CCTV and security presence since
- 2021: Pipe rupture near Exit 2; rapid cleanup within hours
FAQs: Banwoldang for Travelers and Expats
Is Banwoldang wheelchair accessible?
Yes — but not all exits are elevator-equipped. Use Exits 14, 19, or transfer gate elevator for reliable access.
Where’s the best exit for Dongseong-ro?
Exits 10–14, especially 13 and 14 for the CGV + shopping entrance.
Can I switch directions if I board the wrong Line 1 train?
Not directly. You must transfer via Line 2 platform or ask station staff for special assistance.
Is there food inside the station?
Yes, there are bakery, Daiso, ArtBox, 7-Eleven, health snack stalls. Full food court in Metro Center.
Which exits go to Metro Center?
Virtually all, but especially Exits 10–16. Look for "Metro Center" signage once underground.
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