Asan (아산,牙山) is a city in South Chungcheong Province in South Korea. It serves as the location of the oldest hot springs in Korea, Onyang Hot Springs.
Understand
[edit]It is located in the northern part of Chungcheongnam-do. The east-west length is 29 km, the north-south length is 34 km, and the length of the coastline facing Asan Bay is 7.96 km. The area is 542.62㎢, accounting for 6.6% of the total area of Chungcheongnam-do. As of 2020, the population was 332,124, which is about 15% of the total population of Chungcheongnam-do.
- Tourist Information Center in front of Asan Station, ☏ +82 41-540-2517. 9AM-6PM.
Get in
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By train
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You can get to Asan by taking the Janghang-seon Line Railway or Korail from Seoul. Pick up the Janghang-seon Line Railway train, which takes about 1 1/2 hours, at Yongsan Station, towards Onyang Hot Spring. The Korail train can be picked up at Yongsan Station as well, just take the train that will drop you off at Cheonan-Asan station.
If you are willing to spend time, Seoul Subway Line 1 gets you to Asan from Seoul in approximately 2 hours. By express train, the time gets shaved off at least 15-30 minutes, but you may have to transfer to an all-stop train at Cheonan Station.
By bus
[edit]Buses run regularly from Cheonan and Seoul.
By taxi
[edit]Get around
[edit]By bus
[edit]Asan does not have many buses.
See
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- Onyang Folk Museum (온양민속박물관), 117, Chungmu-ro, ☏ +82 41-542-6001. 09:30-17:30; last admission 30 minutes before closing. The largest folklore museum in Korea, the Onyang includes architectural installations of Korean traditional homes and housewares, and experience hands-on activities such as fishing, farming, and witness traditional wedding ceremonies. Adults ₩5,000, youth ₩4,000, children ₩3,000, seniors & disabled ₩1,000, group discounts offered.
- Oeam-ri Folk Village (외암민속마을), 5 Oeam Folk Road, Songak-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. A 500-year old site. Numerous films have been shot there.
Temples
[edit]Hyeonchungsa Shrine (현충사), Baekam-ri 100, Yeomchi-eup, ☏ +82 41-539-4600. 09:00-18:00 (March–October) / 09:00-17:00 (November–February), entrance closes 1 hour before closing time. Built in 1706, this shrine is dedicated to General Lee Sun-Shin (1545-1598). Objects on display include official Korean national treasures, such as Sun-Shin's diary and long sword. It's also the site of his home, shooting range, and childhood home, which were all relocated to the site upon its building. Closed on Tuesdays. Adults: ₩500, children: ₩300, seniors & disabled: free.
- 1 Bonggoksa Temple (봉곡사), 138, Dosong-ro 632beon-gil, Songak-myeon, ☏ +82 41-543-4004. 09:00 - 20:00/ Break time : 12:00 - 13:00. It is a tranquil temple with a history of more than 1,300 years, and a combination of dense forests and clear valleys provides a tranquil nature. With a legend related to the Silla Uisang Temple, it is an important attraction that preserved Buddhist cultural properties and traditional architectural styles.
- 2 Sesimsa Temple (세심사), 221 Sanyang-ri, Yeomchi-eup, ☏ +82 41-543-2696. As its name implies, it is known as a place to wash and purify the mind. Sesimsa Temple is said to have been built during the Silla Dynasty, and thereafter, several reconstructions and repairs were made. The temple is located deep in the mountains, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere, especially Daeungjeon Hall and various Buddha statues are protected as important cultural properties.
- 3 Songamsa Temple (송암사), 111, Oeam-ro 1096beon-gil, Songak-myeon, ☏ +82 41-543-3947. The name is said to have originated from the 'pine rock'. The temple was built during the Silla Dynasty and has since been rebuilt several times. The main buildings of the temple include Daeungjeon Hall and a number of Buddha statues, and it is a place that preserves the traditions and historical values of Buddhism.
- 4 Hyemyeongsa (혜명사), 133-7 Ssangjuk-gil, Yeomchi-eup, ☏ +82 41-543-1477. 08:00 - 18:00. The temple is said to have been built during the Goryeo Dynasty, and 'Hyemyeong' means 'life of wisdom'. Located deep in the mountains, Hyemyeongsa Temple is known as a place of meditation and practice where you can find peace of mind in harmony with nature.
- 5 Suamsa Temple (수암사), 66 Seowonan-gil, Yeomchi-eup, ☏ +82 41-543-7435. The temple is said to have been built during the Silla Dynasty, and Suam means "a mind that has become as solid as a rock through training." Suamsa Temple is particularly scenic, and Daeungjeon Hall and various Buddhist relics are protected as important cultural properties.
Mountains
[edit]- 6 Yeonginsan Mountain (영인산), Yeongin-myeon, ☏ +82 41-538-1958.
- 7 Baebangsan Mountain (배방산), Hoeryong-ri, Baebang-eup.
- 8 Goyongsan Mountain (고용산), Shinhwa-ri, Yeongin-myeon.
- 9 Dogosan Mountain (도고산), San 17-2 Sijeon-ri, Dogo-myeon.
- 10 Sulwhasan Mountain (설화산), Jwabu-dong, ☏ +82 41-540-2423.
Do
[edit]- Asan Spavis (아산 스파비스), 288-6 Shinsu-ri, Eumbong-myeon, ☏ +82 41-539-2000. Varies. A contemporary hot spring that focuses on sports treatment and family experiences. They even offer snow sledding and traditional spa treatments. Spa & sauna range from ₩24,000-29,000 for children and ₩33,000-40,000 for adults, sauna only ranges from ₩6,000-8,000.
Buy
[edit]- Walnut cakes (호두과자) Walnut cakes are traditional cakes for Korea. Asan and Cheonan are famous of them. It is one of the most famous items in Korea too.
Eat
[edit]Restaurants
[edit]- 1 Yinesikdang (이내식당), 95-4 Buksu-ro, Baebang-eup (06:00-23:00/ Break time: 15:00-16:30 (Regularly closed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays every month)), ☏ +82 507-1444-1599.
- 2 moghwabanjeom (목화반점), 28-8 Onju-gil (If you take Onyang Elementary School and enter Gyeongin Mart Alley at the main gate of Oshim, you will see amoghwabanjeom.), ☏ +82 41-545-8052. 11:00 - 18:00 (Closed: Monday).
- 3 Mosan Sujebi (모산수제비), 148 Mosan-ro, Baebang-eup, ☏ +82 41-548-5252. 10:00 - 20:00 / Break time: 15:00 - 16:00 (Closed: Sunday).
- 4 Sodam (소담), 822, Suncheonhyang-ro, ☏ +82 41-545-0084. 09:00 - 21:00.
- 5 Old Mill (올드밀), 532 Sinjeong-ro, ☏ +82 41-546-1080. 11:00 - 21:30/ Break time: 15:00 - 16:30 /Last order: 20:30.
- 6 Myeongseong Galbi (명성갈비), 15 Gyeoncheon-ro, ☏ +82 507-1471-3432. 09:00 - 23:00.
Bakerys
[edit]- 7 Haru Bakery (하루 베이커리), 4-10 Yonghwa-ro 48beon-gil, ☏ +82 41-541-1104. 08:00 - 22:00 (Closes: Sunday).
Drink
[edit]cafes
[edit]- 1 Cafe Jisaeul (카페지새울), 90 Oncheon-daero 595beon-gil, Dogo-myeon (If you turn right at the sign of the Camco Human Resources Development Institute, there is a milestone to stay up.), ☏ +82 507-1344-5643. 10:30 - 20:00.
- 2 2nae (이내), 19-6, Baebang-ro 13-beon-gil, Baebang-eup, ☏ +82 41-544-2220. 10:00 - 23:00.
- 3 Cafe Jisaeul (카페 지새울), 90 Oncheon-daero 595beon-gil, Dogo-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1344-5643. 10:30 - 20:00.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]Mid-range
[edit]- Onyang Hot Spring Hotel (온양관광호텔), 1459, Oncheon-daero, ☏ +82 41-545-2141, fax: +82 41-540-1234. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. This hotel features traditional Korean and Western style sleeping options. It features hot springs, a sauna, and a history museum. Other facilities include a gym, a spa, banquet space, restaurants and a beer garden. It's very close to the Onyang Hot Spring Station. from ₩140,000.
Splurge
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Asan |
| Seoul ← Yongsan ← | NW  SE
|
→ Shintanjin → Daejeon → Busan |
| Suwon ← Cheonan ← | NE  SW
|
→ END |