A Casual Stroll and Delicious Day Found in Anyang, Home to 550,000 Residents
Escape the busy city of Seoul and easily take a subway trip to Anyang, where I'll share a genuine pause for daily life discovered there.
My First Impression of Anyang
With a population of over 550,000, Anyang is a city in the metropolitan area that you can easily visit whenever you set your mind to it. With large parks and old markets naturally harmonized among a forest of buildings, it is a truly fitting place for those who want to escape the crowded downtown and find relaxation on the weekend.
A Story Where Traces of Time Pile Up
Anyang has been a transportation hub since the Joseon Dynasty, and today it is a place where the modern appearance of Pyeongchon New Town and the sentiment of old alleys coexist. In particular, the Anyang Amusement Park (currently Anyang Art Park) area has long been loved as a representative resort near Seoul. Walking through the alleys, old temples and rock carvings that let you feel the depth of time are hidden away, making you pause your steps.
Anyang Spots I Walked Through and Fell in Love With
When traveling in Anyang, you can plan a diverse course from parks with well-maintained walking trails to quiet temples deep in the mountains. I'll pick out and introduce the places that I enjoyed walking through myself.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βWith a wide lawn and Metasequoia roads, it's really great for taking a walk or riding a bike on a nice weather day.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIt's a neighborhood park just right for quietly enjoying contemplation while walking along Hakuicheon Stream or doing light exercise.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βNestled deep in Samsungsan Mountain, it's a great place to empty your mind while feeling a quiet temple atmosphere.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βYou have to climb a steep mountain path, but the scenery overlooking from the hermitage is top-notch, making you forget all the hardship.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βWith various restaurants and cafes gathered here, it's always a bustling and lively place for dinner or a meeting spot.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βThe savory smell of gopchang spicy-stir-fried on an iron griddle spreads throughout the alley, making it hard to just walk past.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA uniquely shaped rock you happen to encounter on the hiking trail of Samsungsan Mountain, where you can catch a glimpse of long-standing folk belief traces.
Nature That Greenly Wraps the City
Anyang is warmly embraced by large mountains named Surisan and Samsungsan. Walking along the water paths of Hakuicheon Stream cutting across the downtown, you can feel the changing scenery with your whole body. On weekends, the sight of citizens in hiking gear heading to the mountains adds vitality to this city.
Surisan Mountain (μ리μ°)
A famous mountain spanning Anyang and Gunpo, well-equipped with gentle hiking trails so even beginners can easily climb it.
Samsungsan Mountain (μΌμ±μ°)
A mountain where strange rocks and dense forests harmonize, embracing traditional temples like Sammaksa Temple and Yeombulam Hermitage.
Hakuicheon Stream (νμμ²)
An ecological stream in the city center neatly constructed with bicycle roads and walking trails, serving as a resting place for residents.
The Taste and Style of Anyang That Please Mouth and Eyes
Anyang is a place where tradition and modernity are strangely mixed. Going to Anyang Central Market, you can feel the affection of merchants who have kept their places for decades, and especially Gopchang Alley is counted as a must-visit course when going to Anyang. Gopchang-bokkeum, stir-fried on an iron griddle with red seasoning, vegetables, and cellophane noodles, is a complete course even down to the fried rice enjoyed at the end.
Anyang Local Restaurants I Picked Out
In these days overflowing with franchises, genuine restaurants loved for a long time are hidden away in every corner of Anyang. I've selected only the places good for filling your stomach heartily.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA samgyetang place featuring a rich, milky broth, great for a hearty bowl when you need to recover your energy.
A place where you can comfortably enjoy Korean food in nature, popular among family visitors.
A hidden neighborhood eatery frequently visited by locals for its neat side dishes and clean touch of culinary skill.
A good place to visit without burden when you think of a generous table setting and savory soybean paste stew.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA place where you can enjoy freshμ (ssam) vegetables infinitely, and various spicy pork and bulgogi menus are popular.
Practical Tips to Check Before Leaving
Since both subway lines 1 and 4 pass through Anyang, it's really convenient to travel by public transportation. If you are starting from Seoul, you can set out with a light heart taking just one transportation card. Parking around parks can be somewhat congested on weekends, so using public transportation is recommended.