A Journey to the Sea and Around the World by Subway: Discovering the True Charm of Ansan
Take a light trip to Ansan, the place where you can find the most colorful scenery near Seoul.
Meeting Ansan Like This
With a population of over 650,000, Ansan is a much larger and more charming city than you might think. Easily accessible via the metropolitan subway, it embraces the wide-open sea and islands of the West Coast, as well as exotic alleys gathered with flavors from all over the world. It is the very first place that comes to mind when you want to escape the busy downtown on the weekend and enjoy a different kind of scenery.
Stories Woven into Every Footstep
Ansan is a deeply historical place where Scholar Seongho Lee Ik of the Joseon Dynasty conducted his studies, and Byeolmangseongji Fortressโbuilt during the Joseon Dynasty to protect the seaโstill remains. Following the footsteps of ancient scholars, you can catch a glimpse of its aspect as a military stronghold defending the West Coast. The traces of people who have lived embracing the sea and fields for a long time are quietly embedded throughout the city, making it a wonderful place to stroll and explore.
Ansan's Landscapes You Must Walk Through
The highlight of traveling to Ansan is undoubtedly the sea and its exotic alleys. If you head toward Daebudo, you will encounter everything from a mysterious island where a sea route opens up, to a cozy village where you can experience tidal flats with children. Moreover, near the subway station, there is a special street where you can fully feel diverse cultures from around the world, making you feel as though you are transcending time and space in a single day.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โYou can walk in when the sea route opens twice a day, appreciating the panoramic scenery of the West Coast and beautiful sunsets.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โA place where you can go into the tidal flats with children to dig for clams and spend a leisurely time against the backdrop of the calm West Sea.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โPerfect for a weekend family outing course, offering not only tidal flat experiences but also various rural and fishing village programs.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โJust taking the subway and walking around allows you to experience exotic scenery and various Asian foods as if you came on a world tour.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โThe burial site of Seongho Lee Ik, a late Joseon Dynasty Silhak (practical learning) scholar, and a great place to enjoy a calm stroll while reflecting on its historical significance.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โYou can feel Ansan's long history by walking along the traces of the old fortress walls built for coastal defense during the Joseon Dynasty.
Ansan's Nature Embodied by Sea and Islands
As Lake Sihwaho and the West Sea meet, Ansan possesses a wonderful natural environment great for walking while feeling the cool sea breeze. In particular, the tidal flats and islands around Daebudo put on different outfits every season, presenting fresh scenery whenever you visit. We recommend directly experiencing the mystery of nature by walking along the sea route revealed at low tide.
Ansan's Charm Captivating Your Taste Buds
The flavors of Ansan are truly 'global.' Heading to the Multicultural Special Zone allows you to taste authentic world cuisine made by locals, while going down toward Daebudo awaits you with kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) generously loaded with fresh short-necked clams. It is a place where the city's modern convenience, the richness of nature, and cultures from around the world harmonize, allowing you to discover new joys every time you visit.
Authentic Restaurants Recommended by Locals
A trip wouldn't be complete without food. Ansan is full of fun choices to suit your taste, ranging from refreshing kalguksu specialty stores near the Daebudo beach to savory gopchang (tripe) and hearty Korean beef (hanwoo). Especially the kalguksu tasted by the beach has a broth so rich and refreshing that it washes away travel fatigue in one go.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โFamous for its rich and refreshing clam kalguksu and chewy noodles, this is a signature restaurant you must visit when traveling to Daebudo.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โA popular gopchang specialty restaurant where locals even wait in line, boasting a fantastic combination of savory, chewy gopchang with zero gaminess and chives.
ํ๊ตญ๊ด๊ด๊ณต์ฌSearch โAfter mixing seasoned wild greens into savory barley rice, healthy kalguksu boiled with tri-color noodles is served, taking charge of a hearty meal.
Reliable Travel Tips to Know
Since the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 4 (including the Suin-Bundang Line shared section) passes through Ansan, car-free travelers can easily visit by subway. However, when heading deeper toward the beach sides like Daebudo or Nueseom, it is much more efficient to take city buses with spaced-out dispatch intervals or use a car. If you check the tide times in advance before visiting, you will be able to enjoy the Nueseom sea route more leisurely.
Essential card for using Ansan city buses and subways
Check metropolitan subway and train timetables
Reserve express buses coming to Ansan from all over the country
Information on Ansan's various tourist attractions and festivals
Official administrative and lifestyle information for Ansan City