Ansan (안산시, 安山市, peaceful.mountain.city) is a city in the province of Gyeonggi-do that lies south of Seoul. The population as of 2004 was 686,873, including:
- 666,784 Koreans and
- 20,089 non-Koreans.
[edit] General information
Ansan is situated on the coast of the Yellow Sea (황해; also locally called West Sea or 서해), at 37°19´N 126°50´E. Portions of various Yellow Sea islands lie within its jurisdiction. The largest and best-known of these is Daebu-do. Ansan is part of the Seoul metropolitan region, and is only 30 km from the city; it is a new city (신도시) and is located mostly on flat ground. Those who live in Ansan generally make their way either to Anyang or Suwon on the weekends for fun.
As Ansan extends all the way to the ocean on the west (see map), care should be taken when moving to the city to ensure that transportation is still convenient, and close to the subway, as simply being inside the city of Ansan could still imply a very rural area. Ansan Station itself is on the line 4, which goes directly up into Seoul, and major locations for hanging out such as Myeongdong Station and Hyehwa Station are on the same line, though it does take over an hour by subway, even without having to change lines.
Cities nearby include Gunpo and Uiwang to the east, Hwaseong to the south, and Shiheung to the north. Approximate travel times to other locations are as follows:
Riding a motorbike through downtown Ansan.
[edit] Climate
The climate is similar to that of Seoul, but with a stronger maritime influence, and thus pretty much the same as Incheon. The yearly average temperature is 11℃, the average in August is 25.8℃, and the average in January is －3.7℃. The average precipitation over the year is 1,300㎜.
[edit] Education
Several institutions of higher learning are located in Ansan. They include Ansan College, Ansan College of Technology, Seoul Institute of the Arts, and a campus of Hanyang University.
[edit] Recreation
Due to Ansan's location along the sea and the surrounding islands, there are a number of companies that offer test flights in light and ultra-light airplanes for an hour or so, including views of most of the nearby islands. These usually cost somewhere around 80,000 won depending on the duration of the flight.
Bike paths exist throughout, making it more bicycle friendly than the average city.
[edit] Restaurants, Bars, and Hang Outs
[edit] Sangnoksu
Sangnoksu seems to be the place where the local university students hang out. There are dance clubs and an active night scene.
[edit] Handaeap (Hanyang University at Ansan)
Across the street from Hanyang University at Ansan Station is the main commercial and residential center of this area. This includes pedestrian-only plazas. Handaeap is quieter than Sangnoksu and Jungang. Yet it is an ideal place to go for dinner and a drink with friends.
- RPM is a bar formerly known as Bon Jovi Rock Bar. It is on the southern pedestrian plaza. The manager, "Silver," is a former show bartender from the now defunct Magic Castle. The bar itself is small and intimate. It regularly has cocktail shows and event parties. Silver is one of the few bartenders in Korea who knows how to make the drink called the Screaming Blue Motherf***er. Great for cocktails and bottle beer but no draught beers.
- (Cass) Beer Plus is a large airy bar with many comfortable sofas and a good jukebox. Its jukebox has the most variety in the area and is rivaled by the internet jukebox in RPM. It's a great place to hang out on rainy days with large groups of friends. There's always space for more, and owner is very hospitable, often giving regulars a lot of service treats. It is located on the northern pedestrian plaza on the second floor on the corner of the building next to Lotteria.
- Coffee Stock is pricey but good and well worth it. It has fresh coffee at its best from all over the world. Just sit back hook up your lap top or open a good book and enjoy the taste of good coffee, the sound of great jazz and that aroma. Refills are often cheaper than the first cup. It's on the main street on ground level between McDonald's and Lotteria.
- Portioli is a small coffee shop on the south plaza. The proprieter speaks some English. The coffee shop is popular for its ham and cheese and tuna paninis.
- Jjokki-Jjokki is on the southern pedestrian plaza. The owner, affectionately known as "Nuna" by foreigners, is very friendly. It is because of her hospitality that her Jjokki-Jjokki is a popular stop for foreigners in the area. She has been known to even allow people to order pizza to eat on the tables outside.
- Habana is a dark bar on the southern plaza that is usually frequented by foreigners because of its free pool table. It regularly closes for a month or so and reopens. There is also a pay upfront policy. They don't allow tabs.
- Yeontan Galbi is a half-outdoor galbi restaurant that looks like a hunting lodge. It is behind the Seowon Tourist Hotel southwest of Hanyang University at Ansan Station. During winter, you can try the sweet potatoes roasted in their wood stove. More information.
[edit] Jungang
- Ray Bar is a place you can come for some live music. It was opened by Im Chang Il in 2004. If you play and want to get up and jam it is usually possible and the new owner, JK (Kim Jong Hun) is a pretty nice guy. If you know Blues Bar and Hunters Bar it's the same building, on the 3rd floor.
- Hang out Bar is also a foreigner hang out, which is a few buildings down from Ray Bar, in the direction of the Heightsville building. Map
[edit] See Also
[edit] Shopping
Carrefour is now called HomeEver but has basically the same stuff and layout.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
