Fun things to see around Asan: Mediterranean town, Hyeonchungsa shrine, Gingko tree road, Oeam Folk Village, Sinjeongho Lake Park, Maengssi Haengdan, Onyang Folk Museum
Asan was the first place I visited via subway. I didn't yet know I could take my bike on the subway (at the very back train and via the elevators) so I decided to visit all of the sites on foot. My only goal was to visit the museum and the shrine, but I made a couple of stops along the way.
At the time, they were periodically pulling cars off the side and spraying them down for COVID. Passengers were told to exit the train and wait for the next train. Guess who didn't exit the train because they didn't speak Korean and wasn't paying attention? This guy. I was last on the train when they pulled it off to the side. A worker came out who didn't speak a lick of English. We ended up communicating via translation apps on our phones. He told me I was supposed to exit at the last stop for a transfer. Luckily once they understood my predicament, they were very friendly. The ladies spraying down the train escorted me to the right platform for Asan once the train arrived back at the station.
I was very impressed with the view of Asan as I exited the train. First thing I saw was a memorial tablet within a shrine at the square. After admiring it, I jetted up my Naver app and started walking toward the museum. Along the way I came across the Asan culture park.
It was a neat little park with some pavilions and fountains. Luckily the park was right next to the museum so it didn't take long to get there. The museum entrance fee was fairly cheap and I paid with credit card. The museum grounds were actually more impressive than inside the museum. The grounds included village guardian totem poles (jangseung), a mini folk village, a pagoda garden, and many statues.
Inside the museum were many cultural exhibits and descriptions. Luckily many of the texts also had English translations.
After the museum, my next stop was the shrine. Along the way, I came across this immaculate boarded and paved walkway meant only for pedestrians. It seemed like the perfect place for a nice stroll. I would later find out this roadway is called gingko tree road because it is lined with Gingko trees.
Just north of the road, I finally arrived at my intended destination, hyeonchungsa shrine. Because I was on foot, I'd barely made it before closing. The grounds were free of charge but I only had one hour to explore. They close at 6 pm.
The gardens around the shrine were stunning, replete with a koi pond, bridges, and beautiful lawns. At the top was the shrine itself. I arrived just moments before closing. I couldn't believe how beautiful the shrine looked atop the hill, surrounded by fields and Korean style fencing.
The trek back was long and painful. My feet and all my joints ached, and I was starved. I picked a random restaurant with food that looked tasty. I picked the shanks with the help of my Papago app. The waiter was surprised because, as I quickly found out, the meal was meant for two to three people. I still managed to finish off the plate. They were impressed as I left and told me to go back anytime.
It was just turning dark as I made my way back to the train station. The city lights were coming on making for a marvelous view.
I have been back to Asan many times since. Asan remains one of my favorite nearby cities along with Osan, Suwon, and Gongju.
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