Cheonan is a city in South Chungcheong, a province of South Korea, located 83.6 kilometers south of the capital, Seoul. Cheonan has been dubbed “the nation’s core city” because it serves as the entryway to the area around the national capital region and western Chungcheong, as well as the key transportation center for the national road, railways, and expressways. The Gyeongbu Line crosses north to south at the Korail station in the city core, while the Janghang Line extends to the south-west. It is also connected to the Seoul Subway Line 1 and the KTX. Land roads connect Seoul to the north, Asan to the west, Gwangju and Daejeon to the south, and Daegu and Busan to the east.
Cheonan has historically been an important transportation hub in Korea due to its proximity to Seoul and placement near a gap in the eastern mountain range that provides access to the main southeast hubs of Daegu and Busan. For a long time, Cheonan’s Samgeori park has been highlighted as a crucial center of transportation and a site where culture has expanded. It is the point at which Samnamdaero, which begins in Seoul, splits, with one branch continuing to the south-eastern Yeongnam region and the other through Gongju and Nonsan to the Honam region.
The Independence Hall of Korea
The Independence Hall of Korea, a National Heritage monument encompassing 23,424 square meters, is South Korea’s largest museum. Since its inception in 1987, it has drawn tourists and locals alike who are interested in the country’s history and progress. Learn about the numerous movements that contributed to the country’s freedom, and view exhibits ranging from prehistoric beginnings to the most current history. Explore the seven exhibition halls and see a documentary at the on-site theater. Brochures in braille are available at the museum for visitors with low vision.
Address: Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan-si, Dongnam-gu, Mokcheon-eup
Gagwonsa Temple
Gakwonsa Temple is about halfway up Taejosan Mountain, a natural feature in Cheonan. On May 9, 1977, the temple was dedicated in order to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. The temple features a bronze figure of Buddha, and it is the second largest temple in Gyeongju after Bulguksa Temple, and it attracts many Buddhist followers as a prayer destination.
Address: 245 Gagwonsa-gil, Anseo-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Postal Museum
Originally, the postal museum (우정박물관) was located on the fourth floor of Seoul’s main post office. The postal museum relocated here in February 2004 after the building was demolished and is now part of the Ministry of Information and Communication Officials Training Institute in Cheonan. The museum covers the full history of the postal system, but it does so in a very quick manner that is easy to see.
Address: Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan-si, Dongnam-gu, 양지말길 11-14
Beartree Park
Not far from Cheonan, Beartree Park is located in Sejong. The park was founded by entrepreneur Lee Jae-yeon. Lee began the park as a private garden that he personally maintained. The garden was transformed into a park and opened to the public in 2009, with a stunning collection of flora and animals. Indoor and outdoor botanical gardens, junipers, wild flowers, irises, and bonsais are meticulously maintained. Visitors can see a family of deer, bears, birds, and other animals in addition to the lovely gardens.
Address: 217 Sinsong-ro, Jeondong-myeon, 특별자치시, Yeongi-gun, 세종
