Ansan

Understand

Ansan is a mid-sized city on the outskirts of Seoul. It is well integrated with Seoul's transport system, and generally speaking can be considered as a suburb. The city was planned by Park Jeong-hee in 1970 and is an important industrial center. Ansan has one of Korea's largest immigrant communities. The percentage of multi-cultural families here is the highest in South Korea, although it is less known than Itaewon among English-speaking foreigners, as most immigrants here are Chinese and other Asian blue collar workers.

Orientation

History Ansan used to be Janghanggu County or Gosaya Holcha County in Goguryeo. It was promoted to Janggu County during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla. In the early Goryeo Dynasty, it was renamed Ansan-gun, and in the 9th year of King Hyunjong (1018), it became a vassal county of Suwon and became Ansan County.

Climate Ansan's climate is very similar to that of nearby Seoul and Suwon.The following table is Suwon's climate. Compared to Incheon or Seoul, Suwon is relatively hotter and colder. It features continental climate. Ansan is close to the West Sea so there are a lot of winds from the sea. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast, it is not always well buried in Incheon and Suwon, but it is much similar to Incheon's climate than inland Suwon and mainly belongs to the temperate rain. It is about 2 degrees cooler in summer and 2 degrees warmer in winter than Seoul or Suwon like the beach. Except for Daebudo Island, it is an area that has no characteristics of coastal cities, but it is quite pleasant because it has a combination of marine climate characteristics. Annual precipitation is about 1,300mm, which is as high as a general west coast area. The drainage facilities are well equipped, so there is no flood damage. However, due to the nature of the oceanic climate, it is very humid in summer. In summer, there are many days when humidity is more than 90% even on days when it does not rain, and 100% is also recorded during the night time.

Read Sangnoksu Station(상록수역) is a subway railway station on Seoul Subway Line 4. Sangoksu means "Evergreen Tree". The station is named after the book Sangnoksu (1935) by Sim Hun. The setting of the novel Sangnoksu is stream in Sangnok-gu.

Local information Ansan City Hall website

Getting there

Cities nearby include Gunpo and Uiwang to the east, Hwaseong to the south, and Siheung to the north and west. Approximate travel times from other locations are as follows:

By subway

Ansan is located on Subway Line 4 and the Suin–Bundang Line Travel times to the center of Ansan (Jungang station):

From Seoul Station (Seoul): 1 hr 10 min From Geumjeong Station (Gunpo): 20 min From Oido Station (Siheung) : 20 min From Gimpo airport (Seoul) : 40 min Ansan is served by eight subway stations (all on Line 4. five stations are shared with the Suin-Bundang Line), listed from the closest to Seoul: Banwol, Sangnoksu, Hanyang University at Ansan, Jungang, Gojan, Choji, Ansan, Neunggil. Ansan is scheduled to open the Shin Ansan Line connecting Ansan and Yeouido on December 31, 2024, which is expected to provide convenient access to transportation and increase inflows to the Yeouido and Mapo areas of Seoul.

1 Banwol (반월). Banwol is the first subway station of Ansan city, from the direction of Seoul. 2 Sangnoksu (상록수). The distance between Sangnok and Banwol stations is the longest among the inter-station streets on Line No. 4 and has three tunnels. (updated Oct 2019) 3 Hanyang Univ. at Ansan (한대앞). It has the name of Hanyang Univ. at Ansan Station, but it is not located right in front of the school. So a shuttle bus is running. (updated Oct 2019) 4 Jungang (중앙). It is a railway station on Seoul Subway Line 4 and Suin Bundang Line. It is a busy station. This is because it is commercially busy and is the closest station to the bus terminal. (updated Oct 2019) 5 Gojan (고잔). There is a Koryeo university Ansan Hospital nearby, and Ansan City Hall is 1.2 km away. (updated Oct 2019) 6 Choji (초지). Near the station, Shin Ansan University is located. Transfer with Line 4, Suin-Bundang Line and Seohae Line. (updated Oct 2019) 7 Ansan (안산). Although the station's name is Ansan Station, it is easy to mistake it as the center of Ansan City, in fact, the area around Jungang Station is a relatively central commercial area of Ansan City. Rather, Ansan Station is in the western part of Ansan City, and City Hall is closer to Gojan Station. (updated Oct 2019) 8 Singil Oncheon (신길온천). The name means Singil hot spring or Singil spa, but there isn't any hot spring in this station. There was a plan to develop a hot spring when a committee considered the name, but since then, they received an order to stop the spa business and foster housing complex from an auditor. (updated May 2021) The Suin-Bundang Line runs from Cheongnyangni to Incheon. It opened in 17 Sep 2020. Besides sharing wit

Getting around

By bicycle

Hiring a bicycle is a good way to get around this city. There are bicycle sharing services such as 'Everybike (에브리 바이크)', 'KakaoBike (카카오 바이크)' and 'SOCAR elecle (쏘카 일레클)'.

everybike(에브리바이크), [email protected]. It is a method of lending recognizing QR registered on blue regular bicycles placed around the street. The fare is reasonable and cheaper than other companies, but it can be a little difficult because it is not an electric bicycle. (updated Sep 2025) Kakao Bike (카카오바이크). It can be used after scanning the qr code, and the location and battery of the bike can be found through the app, and how to use the bike can be checked. It is a structure in which a rate is set in proportion to the time you ride it (updated Sep 2025)

By City Tour Bus

City Tour Bus operates from 10:00 to 17:00 every Wednesday and Saturday from April to December but it is flexible according to climate. You must make a reservation through telephone or the website. The telephone numbers are 031-407-0101 and 031-413-1212. The bus boarding place is at Exit 2 of Jungang Station on subway line No. 4. In a regular tour, there are five courses. The first course is a tour about Ansan culture and arts. The second is a tour about multicultural streets and traditional markets. The third is about Daebu Haesolgil which means pathway along the Daebu Island. The fourth is about 'Daebu Bada Hyanggi Theme Park'. The fifth is about experiencing art in Daebu. You can take a course freely, but it has to involve over 30 people. In the experience tour, there are several courses including mud flat experience and salt pond experience.

By taxi

Regular taxi You can take a taxi at taxi stand. Basic fare of regular taxi is around ₩4,800. The taxi stand is near the bus station. As of July 2023, the basic fare for regular taxis is ₩4,800 (₩5,800 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to 1.6 km (1 mi), plus ₩100 per 135 m.)

Call taxi When you move to another place where is hard to access, you can call a taxi. Basic fare of call taxi is around ₩3,800. You can call kakao taxi or T-map taxi. Kakao taxi is easier to call than T-map taxi.

Ansan Call Taxi, ☏ +82 31-501-0002. BARO Call Taxi, ☏ +82 31-419-8000.

See

1 Ansan Arts Center (안산문화예술의전당), 817 Gojan-dong Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-481-4000. There are music concerts, art exhibitions, contemporary dances, etc. 2 Ansan Botanical Garden (안산 식물원), 113, Seongho-ro, Sangnok-gu (take the bus from 'in front of botanical garden' bus stop or 'in front of underpass' bus stop. From Hanyang University Station, you can ride bus 11, 23, 33, 66, 125, 511. From Sangnoksu Station, you can ride bus 11, 23, 33, 66, 71, 71-1, 99-1, 301. From Suwon Station, you can ride bus 11), ☏ +82 31-481-3168. Summer season: 10:00-18:00; winter season: 10:00-17:00. There are three parts: tropical exhibition, middle part exhibition, and southern part exhibition. Tropical exhibition is a pyramidal glass green house, so it is available to see in all four seasons. You can see various kind of palm tree and cactus. Middle part exhibition is also glass greenhouse. There are lots of wild flowers and plants which grow naturally in central district in South Korea. But it is not available in winter season. Southern part exhibition is glass greenhouse and it is also not available in winter season. You can see lotus, water lily and scented trees in this exhibition. Free. (updated Oct 2015) 3 Ansan Cultural Center (안산문화원), 144, Seokho-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-415-0041, [email protected]. Closed every weekend, holidays. At first floor, exhibitions are divided into four zones-A zone, B zone, C zone and D zone. In the A zone, it exhibits relics from ancient times. You can learn about Ansan's history. In the B zone, you can learn about values of mud flat. Mud flat has been providing living foundation for Ansan resident. In the C zone, You can learn about Ansan's industry. Ansan's major industry is not only agriculture but also fishing and salt farms. So you can see farming implements and so on. In the D zone, you can see traditional remains which are used in daily life. It is divided into three section - food, clothing and shelter. In addition, you can see model and video clip about Dunbaemi play. It is a traditional play in Ansan. 4 Ansan Light House (누에섬 등대전망대), Mt. #170 (Silkworm Island), Seongam-dong, Danwon-gu. It is called silkworm island because it shapes like silkworm. Road to light house is appeared at the time of low tide, but it is disappeared at high tide times. So tourists have to check the tide time. It has observatory and exhibition room for tourists. 5 Ansan Hwajeong English Village (안산 화정 영어마을), 97, Kkodumul-gil, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-484-6100. It is also known as Gyeonggi English Village Ansan Camp. 6 Ansan Olympic Museum, 604 Gojan-dong Danwon-

Do

Festivals There are several regular festivals in Ansan.

1 Ansan Street Arts Festival (안산거리극축제), 312 Hwarangro, Danwon-gu (http://www.ansanfest.com/_en/intro/map.asp), ☏ +82 31-481-0531, fax: +82 31-451-4034, [email protected]. Ansan Street Arts Festival is held in May every year. The festival has drama, dance and music. 2 Ansan Yeoremio Festival (안산여르미오페스티벌), 157, Gwangdeok-daero, Danwon-gu (After getting off at Gojan Station on Line 4, it takes 20 minutes on foot), ☏ +82 80 481-4000, [email protected]. A representative summer festival. Various participatory programs such as music concerts are provided. (updated Sep 2025) 3 Byeolmangseong Art festival (별망성 예술제), 14, Hwajeong Cheondong-gil, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-485-3844, +82 31-483-3845, fax: +82 31-482-5061, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2022) Daebu Grape Festival, Business park, Daebubuk-dong, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-481-2317, [email protected]. A biennial festival, usually held in September in every other year. You can make wine and participate in a photographic contest. 4 Ansan M Valley Rock Festival, 1481-10, Daebuhwanggeum-ro, Danwon-gu. Ansan Valley Rock Festival is held every July. (updated Jun 2022) 5 Seongho Cultural Festival (성호 문화제), 131, Seongho-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-481-2798, +82 31-415-0041. Traditional folk performances and games, held yearly in May. (updated Oct 2015) 6 Moonlight Festival in Wol-pi (월피동 달빛축제), 45, Sinang-ro. It is a representative festival in Wolpi-dong that everyone enjoys based on harmony and communication among local residents. It is a rich festival full of food, things to see and enjoy by operating various experience booths and food booths such as work presentations, exhibitions, magic, and balloon art. (updated Sep 2025) 7 Urban Regeneration Street Culture Festival (도시 재생 거리 문화 축제), 643-20, Gojan-dong. Urban Regeneration Street Culture Festival is a street culture festival specializing in public design. You can enjoy busking, performances, and various experience booths. (updated Sep 2025)

Sports

OK Financial Group Okman, 422, Yongsin-ro, Sangrok-gu (near Sangroksu subway station line 4). A professional volleyball team that plays in the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO). Their home arena is Sangnoksu Gymnasium. They were known as OK Savings Bank Rush & Cash until 2020. You can buy tickets by online (the website is in Korean only) or ticket box on site. (updated Jun 2022) Flying. 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 h

Buy

Lotte Mart, Homeplus and E-mart are some of Korea's major supermarket/shopping mall chains; they have several branches in Ansan. There are also several other large shopping malls and numerous medium and smaller stores. Around Ansan station and ERICA campus there are many foreign markets (Chinese, Russian, etc.) providing foreign food and merchandise.

1 Lotte Mart Ansan, 427, Chungjang-ro, Sangrok-gu, ☏ +82 31-508-2500. 10:00-24:00. This is a large supermarket that includes a variety of facilities such as a food court and various beauty stores. 2 Homeplus Ansan, 432, Chungjang-ro, Sangrok-gu, ☏ +82 31-412-8000. Another large supermarket 3 E-Mart Gojan, 46, Wonpogongwon 1-ro, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-599-1234, +82 31-599-1250. 10:00-24:00. Another large supermarket 4 Sangnoksu furniture street (상록수 가구거리), 434, Yongsin-ro, Sangnok-gu. 5 Ansan fashion town, 45, Samni-ro, Sangnok-gu. Many clothing shops are located in that area

Eat

There are many foreign restaurants including Indian, Indonesian, Pakistani and others mostly being situated near Ansan station.

1 Multicultural Street in Wongok-dong (원곡동 다문화거리), 16, Damunhwa-gil, Danwon-gu (558m from Ansan Station Exit 1). It is a distance where you can experience the culture and food of various countries.

Budget 2 Meal PlanB (밀플랜비), 1149-11 Sa-dong, Sangrok-gu. This restaurant is in front of Hanyang University. It is famous for Mexican food, especially burritos. (updated Nov 2024) 3 DosMas (도스마스), 3-1, Haksa 2-gil, Sangrok-gu, ☏ +82 1899-2948, fax: +82 31-409-8484, [email protected]. This restaurant is in front of Hanyang University. It is famous for Mexican food, especially burritos. You can add delicious ingredients at cheap prices. (updated Sep 2023) 4 Lotteria (롯데리아 안산중앙역), 915, Jungang-daero, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-402-8765. 24 hr. Korean fast food restaurant at the station.Lotteria is like a Korean McDonald's or Burger King. There are dozens of other Lotteria outlets in the town. Korean Bulgogi Burger ₩5,500, Lotteria Burger ₩2,300. (updated Sep 2019) 5 Alchon (알촌), 2, Haksa 2-gil, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-415-3001. Su-F 09:00 - 21:00, closed Saturday. One of the busiest restaurants in front of the Hanyang University. If you order, the food you ordered comes out very quickly, so you can enjoy your meal even if you don't have enough time to eat something. The dish of Alchon is relatively cheaper than other restaurants nearby the Hanyang University. ₩3,000-4,500. (updated Sep 2019) 6 Warm Table (따뜻한 밥상), Room 203, 17 Yesuldaehak-ro, ☏ +82 0507-1357-1538. 11:00-19:00. A Korean restaurant serving set meals, including spicy pork with rolled omelet (jeyuk and gyeran-mari jeongsik) and beef seaweed soup (soegogi miyeokguk). Meals are served with rice and side dishes. (updated Nov 2025)

Mid-range 7 Eoullim dolsot (stone pot) rice (어울림 돌솥밥), 92-11 il-dong, Sangrok-gu, ☏ +82 31-407-5880. This is a Korean table d'hote restaurant with hot pot rice. Eoullim dolsot (stone pot) rice ₩8,000, bulgogi ₩10,000. 8 Ansan bulgogi house (안산 불고기집), 654-11 I-dong, Sangrok-gu, ☏ +82 31-407-1717. This is a Korean-style barbecued beef restaurant. It also serves a lot of delicious chicken. Bulgogi ₩9,900, makguksu (buckwheat noodles) ₩4,900, kimchi pancake ₩4,900. 9 Kantipur (칸티푸르 레스토랑). It's an Indian cuisine restaurant. This restaurant is found across the street from Ansan Station, in Asia Town. Once across the street, walk 3 blocks further, directly away from the station, and look to your right. It is on the second floor, above a shoe shop and cell p

Drink & nightlife

Ansan's main downtown area is opposite Jungang Station and features dozens of bars and coffee shops.

Café 1 Radio (라디오), Room 205, 206, Yangjipyeon-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 507-1410-6789. Daily 11:00-21:00. Regular holidays are every Thursday, A cafe with a pretty view over the park (updated Sep 2024) 2 To Presso (토프레스), 2-1, Haksa 2-gil, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-407-3406. Weekday 10:00-02:00, weekend 10:00-01:00. To presso is a dessert cafe near by the Hanyang University. To presso sells a variety of drinks and ice flakes with syrup. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Fashion Design Cafe (패디카), Seongan 1-gil, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 031-402-5798. 10:00-23:00. Delicious coffee and comfortable sofa. It consists of 1st floor, 2nd floor, and rooftop. ₩4000-6000. (updated Sep 2019) 4 Yogapresso Ansan Hanyang University Branch (요거프레소 안산한양대점), 45 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 031- 437- 6800. 09:00-23:00. Coffee, latte, smoothie ₩3000-5000. (updated Oct 2019) 5 Starbucks Hanyang Univ. at Ansan Branch (스타벅스 안산한양대점), 1569-1 Sa-dong, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-409-2614. M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-22:00. ₩4500-7000. (updated Oct 2019) 6 Momo Coffee (모모커피). 10:00-22:00. You can enjoy coffee and other drink as ice-tea, be able to drink at a relatively low price (updated Dec 2022) 7 Caesar Coffee (시저커피), 1154-5 Sa 3(sam)-dong, Sangnok-gu. M-F 11:00-23:00, Sa Su 12:00-00:00. Many students visit to work on assignments and study. A menu called "Ice Age" is the Caesar coffee's signature menu. ₩4,000-7,000. (updated Oct 2023) 8 PROSCONS (프로스콘스), 12 Haksa 2-gil, Sa-dong, Sangnok-gu. 12:00-23:00. There is a large space in the basement of the cafe where students come to study or work on team projects (assignments). ₩4,000-5,500. (updated Oct 2023) 9 Cafe Maru (카페마루), Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sa 3(sam)-dong, Sangnok-gu. 11:00-22:00. ₩3,000-5,000. (updated Oct 2023) 10 Baek Geumdang (백금당), 15, Songho 3-gil, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 0507-1315-3062. 12:00-22:00. -Cafe with delicious soufflé pancakes -Free parking, kids welcome, all menu items made in store -For more information, please call the store. (updated Oct 2023) 11 Village Shop Life (마을상점생활관), 35, Idonggongwon-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 0507-1346-7733. 13:00-19:00. Sell books, flowers, and coffee. They also sell used goods on consignment. In addition, they plan and run programs for the local community. (updated Oct 2023) 12 AP coffee&bakery, 60, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu (second floor, In front of the front gate of Hanyang University). 11:00-23:00. This is a bakery cafe that sells bagels. There are many desks that are easy to study. It is also a space where c

Sleep

There are a bunch of cheap love motels in Ansan. To find these cross the street from the station, go 5 or 6 blocks and veer to your left a street or two. They range from between ₩50,000 to ₩80,000, and most will have large TV's with cable, Internet and PC, and some nicer ones even have baths. Hotels, in the standard sense, are rare in Ansan and are mostly 'business' hotels serving foreign visitors who visit Ansan's large industrial complex. Hotel 'Hi-Vice' is a basic business hotel and may serve for foreign visitors, with room rates ₩40,000-120,000 it is opposite Jungang Station and also features a wedding hall. There is also an international hotel located close to Sangoksu Station. However, as mentioned above, many motels are on par with 3-4 star hotels and are typically rather cheap.

Guest house is in Hanyang University. However, you need a permission from Hanyang University. Fee of standard room is ₩129,000, twin room, deluxe double and deluxe twin for ₩176,000 and Royal suite for ₩400,000. They furnished super high speed of Internet, central heating system, individual air condition, available international phone call at anytime and satellite broadcasting that provide variety of internal and external channels. 1 C&B Hotel, 20, Sangnoksu-ro, Sangnok-gu, ☏ +82 31-406-1212, fax: +82 31-415-1483. Standard room for ₩100,000 in weekday and ₩120,000 in weekend. Suite room for ₩120,000 in weekday and ₩140,000 in weekend.. 2 Hivice Hotel, 885, Jungang-daero, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 1-410-6350. The hotel has 60 rooms. Additional facilities: banquet hall, buffet, coffee shop The cost varies according to each room. 3 Luxury Sightseeing Hotel, 945, Jungang-daero, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 31-475-1648. The hotel has 108 rooms. Additional facilities: restaurant, nightclub The cost varies according to each room.. 4 Hotel Wall (선부동 월 호텔), 85, Seonbugwangjang-ro, Danwon-gu, ☏ +82 0507-1419-6969. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Hotel Clover (호텔 클로버), 22 Yangjipyeon‑ro, Sangnok‑gu, ☏ +82 31 417 9300. The hotel is conveniently located with above-ground and underground parking, as well as a hotel-only parking lot across from the hotel. Services include storage; Laundry service; Business center. It's aomfortable hotel with storage, laundry, and business center. (updated Sep 2025) 6 Ruem Hotel (루엠 호텔), 182, 4‑5th floor, Seonbu Plaza 1‑ro, Danwon‑gu, ☏ +82 31 413 9432. Hotel Luem in Danwon-gu offers clean rooms, high-spec PCs, OTT streaming, and free drinks, with rates starting around 58,000 KRW. It is a cozy hotel with a clean interior. It's comfortable with clean interiors; good for travelers w

Go next

Daebudo - an island administratively part of Ansan and famous for its mud flats. Suwon - with the world heritage listed Hwaseong Fortress. Songdo - also called "Songdo International Business District", with lots of skyscrapers. Incheon - South Korea's third largest city, best known for its airport but also featuring many cultural attractions. Seoul - the lively national capital with modern and ancient attractions to keep you busy for weeks. Yongin - Korean amusement park Ever-Land is in Yongin.