Cheonan

Cheonan (천안, 天安) is a city in South Chungcheong, South Korea. Chonan is a name derived from heaven. This is because King Taejo of Goryeo named it the "Most important place under the sky." Also, to this day, Cheonan citizens still call Cheonan the most comfortable place under the sky and joke that it is safe from natural disasters such as typhoons.

Cheonan is located in the northeastern area of Chungcheongnam-do Province. It is adjacent to Cheongju-si and Jincheon-gun of Chungchengbuk-do on the east, Asan-si on the west, Gongju-si and Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City on the south, and Pyeongtaek-si and Anseong-si of Geonggi-do on the north. Cheonan, located at 83.6㎞ south of Seoul, is considered a central city, geographically speaking. It is a gateway to the Seoul National Capital Area and the western region of Chungnam, a transportation hub connecting national roads, railways, expressways and local roads, and a junction of the three southern provinces.

The average temperature in Cheonan city is 11.8 °C each year. The average annual rainfall is 1229 mm. Recently, fine dust levels can affect travel. Cheonan has a lower density than Seoul, but due to the influence of a coal power plant in Chungcheongnam-do, it has a higher density than Gangwon-do. Therefore, it is necessary to check the concentration of fine dust here.

yellow area is Dongnam-gu, green area is Seobuk-gu.

• Independence Hall of Korea, 95 Sambang-ro, Mokcheon-eup, Dongnam-gu (12 km east of Cheonan, +82-41-560-0114. March-October, Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 / November-February, Tue-Sun 09:30~16:00. The largest museum in Korea, The Independence Hall of Korea shows the spirit and efforts of the Korean people in overcoming the national crises they faced in the modern period and especially during the Japanese colonial era. At the same time, the Hall conducts research on the history of Korean national efforts while educating the Korean people about their history. Note that this is a privately funded operation and thus even more slanted towards a nationalist version of history than usual. Most 3xx/4xx-series buses pass by, board them either at Cheonan Station or in front of the intercity bus terminal (₩1350, 30 minutes). If you take a taxi from Cheonan Station, you have to pay 10,000 won to the Independence Hall. free.
• Gakwon Buddhist Temple, Gakwonsagil 245, Dongnam-gu (At Taejosan (Mt. Taejo) 태조산, +82 41-561-3545. It's quite a big temple in Cheonan. The Buddhist temple has a very large sitting Buddha. A nice place to go hiking. Admission is free..
• ARARIO Small City, Mannam-ro 43, Dongnam-gu. In 2007, ARARIO Small City was selected as the most beautiful square in Korea, for which it was awarded the Prime Minister Award. At present, there are a total of 28 contemporary installation artworks
• ARARIO Gallery, Mannam-ro 43, Dongnam-gu (right side of Arario Small City, +82 41-551-5100. Monday-Sunday : 11am - 7pm. For years ARARIO GALLERY collected number of significant artworks which also has been internationally acknowledged. It is also where BTS' RM visited. adult - 3,000 won, Youth - 2,000 won, Preschool child – Free.
• Statue of Peace, 815 Sinbu-Dong, Dongnam-gu. A Statue of peace was made to solve the problem of Japanese military sexual slavery victims. It has held regular protests every Wednesday since 1992 and Statue of Peace was first built in front of the Japanese Embassy in central Seoul on Dec. 14, 2011, the 1,000th anniversary of the demand rally. There are 129 statues in the country and several in other countries. The statue in Cheonan is one of them.
• Byeongcheon Sundae Street, 82 Aunaesundae-gil, Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam-gu. There is a famous sundae (Korean sausage) street situated near the Aunae (Byeongcheon) Market, where patriotic martyr Yu Gwan-sun led an independence movement. With the establishment of a ham manufacturing plant near Byeongcheon in the 1960s, people in the area began making sausages using vegetables and pork byproducts such as intestines and clotted blood, and a couple of sundae restaurants began springing up along this street. Its fame grew through word-of-mouth, and the “special restaurant” designation began to be given in 1998. There are now dozens of sundae restaurants lining up this street.
• Cheonan Museum, 429-13 Cheonan-daero, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-521-2891. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. The Cheonan museum presents artifacts and relics that sheds light on the history of Cheonan from the prehistoric times to the modern times through permanent exhibitions. free.
• Postal Museum, 11-14, Yangjimal 1-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-560-5901. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. It is easy to get to the Postal Museum by bus. It's a good place for young children to see. free.
• Ligak Museum of Art, 245 Taejosan-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-565-3463. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. This is a contemporary art museum that honors the memory of sculptor Lee Jong-gak. There are many sculptures in the park.
• Memorial hall of Patriotic martyr Yu Gwan-sun, 38 Yu Gwan-sun-gil, Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-521-2821. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. Yu Gwan-sun was a great Korean independence activist. Visitors are able to see the life story of Yu, Gwan-sun, from her birth to her entry into martyrdom, through exhibits, videos, and various different experiences. free.
• Cheonan Heungtaryeong Center, 412 Cheonan-daero, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-521-2893. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. the theme of dance and liquor. You can experience traditional liquor and traditional dance. free.
• Jung-ang market, Sajik-Dong, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-551-2226. Mon-Sun 08:00~18:00. There are many delicious foods in the market. Hotteok store is especially famous. There is a store that closes after 6 o'clock, but the food truck opens and you can eat something different from daytime.

Independence Hall of Korea, 95 Sambang-ro, Mokcheon-eup, Dongnam-gu (12 km east of Cheonan, +82-41-560-0114. March-October, Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 / November-February, Tue-Sun 09:30~16:00. The largest museum in Korea, The Independence Hall of Korea shows the spirit and efforts of the Korean people in overcoming the national crises they faced in the modern period and especially during the Japanese colonial era. At the same time, the Hall conducts research on the history of Korean national efforts while educating the Korean people about their history. Note that this is a privately funded operation and thus even more slanted towards a nationalist version of history than usual. Most 3xx/4xx-series buses pass by, board them either at Cheonan Station or in front of the intercity bus terminal (₩1350, 30 minutes). If you take a taxi from Cheonan Station, you have to pay 10,000 won to the Independence Hall. free.

Gakwon Buddhist Temple, Gakwonsagil 245, Dongnam-gu (At Taejosan (Mt. Taejo) 태조산, +82 41-561-3545. It's quite a big temple in Cheonan. The Buddhist temple has a very large sitting Buddha. A nice place to go hiking. Admission is free..

ARARIO Small City, Mannam-ro 43, Dongnam-gu. In 2007, ARARIO Small City was selected as the most beautiful square in Korea, for which it was awarded the Prime Minister Award. At present, there are a total of 28 contemporary installation artworks

ARARIO Gallery, Mannam-ro 43, Dongnam-gu (right side of Arario Small City, +82 41-551-5100. Monday-Sunday : 11am - 7pm. For years ARARIO GALLERY collected number of significant artworks which also has been internationally acknowledged. It is also where BTS' RM visited. adult - 3,000 won, Youth - 2,000 won, Preschool child – Free.

Statue of Peace, 815 Sinbu-Dong, Dongnam-gu. A Statue of peace was made to solve the problem of Japanese military sexual slavery victims. It has held regular protests every Wednesday since 1992 and Statue of Peace was first built in front of the Japanese Embassy in central Seoul on Dec. 14, 2011, the 1,000th anniversary of the demand rally. There are 129 statues in the country and several in other countries. The statue in Cheonan is one of them.

Byeongcheon Sundae Street, 82 Aunaesundae-gil, Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam-gu. There is a famous sundae (Korean sausage) street situated near the Aunae (Byeongcheon) Market, where patriotic martyr Yu Gwan-sun led an independence movement. With the establishment of a ham manufacturing plant near Byeongcheon in the 1960s, people in the area began making sausages using vegetables and pork byproducts such as intestines and clotted blood, and a couple of sundae restaurants began springing up along this street. Its fame grew through word-of-mouth, and the “special restaurant” designation began to be given in 1998. There are now dozens of sundae restaurants lining up this street.

Cheonan Museum, 429-13 Cheonan-daero, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-521-2891. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. The Cheonan museum presents artifacts and relics that sheds light on the history of Cheonan from the prehistoric times to the modern times through permanent exhibitions. free.

Postal Museum, 11-14, Yangjimal 1-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-560-5901. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. It is easy to get to the Postal Museum by bus. It's a good place for young children to see. free.

Ligak Museum of Art, 245 Taejosan-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-565-3463. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. This is a contemporary art museum that honors the memory of sculptor Lee Jong-gak. There are many sculptures in the park.

Memorial hall of Patriotic martyr Yu Gwan-sun, 38 Yu Gwan-sun-gil, Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam-gu, +82 41-521-2821. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. Yu Gwan-sun was a great Korean independence activist. Visitors are able to see the life story of Yu, Gwan-sun, from her birth to her entry into martyrdom, through exhibits, videos, and various different experiences. free.

Cheonan Heungtaryeong Center, 412 Cheonan-daero, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-521-2893. Tue-Sun 09:00~17:00. the theme of dance and liquor. You can experience traditional liquor and traditional dance. free.

Jung-ang market, Sajik-Dong, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-551-2226. Mon-Sun 08:00~18:00. There are many delicious foods in the market. Hotteok store is especially famous. There is a store that closes after 6 o'clock, but the food truck opens and you can eat something different from daytime.

Upstairs from the bus station is a movie theater which plays Korean and Western films.

A pool competition is held every Thursday night at 10pm across from Shinsegae Department Store at I.D. Billiards. The size of the turn-out varies, but the people are generally very friendly making it a good place to meet fellow foreigners.

As of late 2010, the old Galleria shopping complex which doubled as the Cheonan Bus Terminal was remodeled and renamed to Shinsegae. The new Shingsegae is where most Cheonanites go for their local shopping of luxury items in Cheonan.

There is also a new Galleria now opened which is an architectural marvel. It's won many design awards and is set over 9 floors. Definitely worth a taxi ride of ten minutes just to see the building. (If you go planning to buy take a LOT of money).

An Emart is located in the basement of the Shinsegae shopping complex.

Across the street from Shinsegae Department Store is a whole host of other venues to buy you much needed items. Once you exit the Bus Terminal, you'll see the crowds flowing across the street at every green pedestrian light. Over there you'll also find many more food options awaiting your tongue and stomach.

• Mount Fishtail, 4 Beodeul-ro, Dongnam-gu (Near Cheonan Station (천안역). Walk out the East exit of Cheonan Station and cross the street and it's on the building on the right on the second floor., +82 41-555-3612. A South Asian curry restaurant, which is decidedly uncommon in Cheonon. It's owned by a lovely Nepalese couple. Curries around ₩8,000-₩10,000..
• MOMO Steak, 1470 Ssangyong3-dong (building opposite Lotte Mart, +82 41-903-5051. mon-sun AM11:00 ~PM8:30. It's a comfortable atmosphere and it's not expensive, so you can eat steak comfortably with your kids and friends. There's no parking lot, so public transportation is good. There is a bus stop for bus number 12 or bus number 14.
• Sam-ukga, 21-1 Meokgeori-Gil, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-552-1937. Mon-Sun 12:00-01:00. It's a good place for foreign travelers who are not used to Korean BBQ. Because the staff cook it all. 13,000 won.
• Dono marco, 20 Mukgeori3-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-553-4554. Mon-Sat 11:30-21:00. It's an Italian restaurant suitable for a date. 20,000 won.
• Mr. veteran, 22 Mukgeori9-gil, Dongnam-gu. Mon-Sat. It is a tteokbokki restaurant that has been loved for a long time in Cheonan. The tteokbokki here is not spicy, so foreigners can easily eat it. When you finish eating tteokbokki, you must eat fried rice. 5,000 won.
• Jjamppong Zizon, 719 Seobu-daero, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-555-5161. Mon-Sun 00:00-24:00. A little expensive but delicious 10,000 won.
• Hang-ari Bossam, 7 Wondujeong10-gil, Seobuk-gu. Mon-Sun 11:30-1:00. Bossam and noodles are delicious. 34,000 won.
• Sultaryeong, 227 Dujeong-ro, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-566-3355. Makgeolli, Jeon, Gopchang... 12,000 won.
• Eumjugamu, Dusin Building, 5 Wondujeong7-gil, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-552-0110. Mon-Fri 19:00-03:00. cocktail(Free refill) is 15,000 won. 15,000 won.

Mount Fishtail, 4 Beodeul-ro, Dongnam-gu (Near Cheonan Station (천안역). Walk out the East exit of Cheonan Station and cross the street and it's on the building on the right on the second floor., +82 41-555-3612. A South Asian curry restaurant, which is decidedly uncommon in Cheonon. It's owned by a lovely Nepalese couple. Curries around ₩8,000-₩10,000..

MOMO Steak, 1470 Ssangyong3-dong (building opposite Lotte Mart, +82 41-903-5051. mon-sun AM11:00 ~PM8:30. It's a comfortable atmosphere and it's not expensive, so you can eat steak comfortably with your kids and friends. There's no parking lot, so public transportation is good. There is a bus stop for bus number 12 or bus number 14.

Sam-ukga, 21-1 Meokgeori-Gil, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-552-1937. Mon-Sun 12:00-01:00. It's a good place for foreign travelers who are not used to Korean BBQ. Because the staff cook it all. 13,000 won.

Dono marco, 20 Mukgeori3-gil, Dongnam-gu, +82-41-553-4554. Mon-Sat 11:30-21:00. It's an Italian restaurant suitable for a date. 20,000 won.

Mr. veteran, 22 Mukgeori9-gil, Dongnam-gu. Mon-Sat. It is a tteokbokki restaurant that has been loved for a long time in Cheonan. The tteokbokki here is not spicy, so foreigners can easily eat it. When you finish eating tteokbokki, you must eat fried rice. 5,000 won.

Jjamppong Zizon, 719 Seobu-daero, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-555-5161. Mon-Sun 00:00-24:00. A little expensive but delicious 10,000 won.

Hang-ari Bossam, 7 Wondujeong10-gil, Seobuk-gu. Mon-Sun 11:30-1:00. Bossam and noodles are delicious. 34,000 won.

Sultaryeong, 227 Dujeong-ro, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-566-3355. Makgeolli, Jeon, Gopchang... 12,000 won.

Eumjugamu, Dusin Building, 5 Wondujeong7-gil, Seobuk-gu, +82-41-552-0110. Mon-Fri 19:00-03:00. cocktail(Free refill) is 15,000 won. 15,000 won.

• Banana Bar. Banana Bar in Shinbudong, across the road from Shinsegae Department Store is a great place to fellow expats and Koreans. Pool competitions, open mic night, quiz night and a full stage for performers and bands are available. You can call 010-3424-6309 and speak to Mr Oh.
• NV. Around the corner from Banana is NV. The owners are foreign English teachers and very friendly.
• Dolce Bar. Dolce Bar is another really good bar near Cheonan Station. Walk out the east exit and walk towards Mount Fishtail Indian Restaurant. A few stores past Mount Fishtail is Dolce bar on the basement level. They usually have some kind of theme on Fridays or Saturday nights, decent selection of bottled beers and usually flat draft Korean beer. Complementary chips and salsa and peanuts are common. The owner is Korean and speaks very good English. He's a good guy to talk if you happen to stroll in by yourself.

Banana Bar. Banana Bar in Shinbudong, across the road from Shinsegae Department Store is a great place to fellow expats and Koreans. Pool competitions, open mic night, quiz night and a full stage for performers and bands are available. You can call 010-3424-6309 and speak to Mr Oh.

NV. Around the corner from Banana is NV. The owners are foreign English teachers and very friendly.

Dolce Bar. Dolce Bar is another really good bar near Cheonan Station. Walk out the east exit and walk towards Mount Fishtail Indian Restaurant. A few stores past Mount Fishtail is Dolce bar on the basement level. They usually have some kind of theme on Fridays or Saturday nights, decent selection of bottled beers and usually flat draft Korean beer. Complementary chips and salsa and peanuts are common. The owner is Korean and speaks very good English. He's a good guy to talk if you happen to stroll in by yourself.

• Asan - Hot-spring resort with which Cheonan shares its KTX station.
• Cheongju - Provincial capital of North Chungcheong, and historic town in its own right. Birthplace of jikji, the world's oldest moving metal type print book.
• Chungju - Gateway to Danyang and Suanbo, two hours by direct bus from the intercity terminal
• Gongju - City to the south, and former capital of Baekje, known for its Beakje tombs. Also the gateway to hiking a nearby national park.
• Suwon - Satellite city of Seoul, and sporting a World Heritage fortress.