Anyone who has taken the KTX train must have heard of Cheonan-Asan Station at least once. Cheonan and Asan are well-known cities, but not many of us are familiar with them as travel destinations. To our surprise, remarkable tourist spots await you in Cheonan and Asan. Let’s get off at the Cheonan-Asan Station and take a journey to Cheonan and Asan. You will enjoy exotic yet traditional Korean styles at places just 40 minutes from Seoul.

Just about 10 minutes car ride from the station, you can find a small ‘Bread Village.’ Toujour Dolgama Bread Village is one of most popular bakery houses in Cheonan, also known as the city of bread. Here, you can enjoy exploring everything about bakery, including the hall of bread, cafe, and cake house. Proudly representing the village, Dolgama, a five-meter-diameter and nine-meter-long large stone kiln, welcomes you at the entrance. Toujours Bakery uses a stone kiln to bake bread, following the authentic method from the Roman era, and the sweet scent of baking the bread is sure enough to attract tourists.

Every corner of the village is full of exotic things to see and eat that make you want to upload them on social media. Their most popular breads are Dolgama manju pastry, turtle-shaped bread, Dolgama bread, and more. Baking in the stone kiln quickly gives the breads the texture crispy outside and soft and chewy inside. Most ingredients, including mugwort or strawberries, are from local farms in Cheonan. Since the Master of red bean with 20 years of experience cooks 100% authentic Korean red beans every day, it is also a good idea to taste Patbingsu, the shaved ices with red beans, one of Korean traditional desserts. Toujour Dolgama Bread Village definitely gives the delights to the taste buds and eyes of travelers.

The next traveling spot is the Mediterranean town of Asan. Sixty-three residents of the area created this community after a large display industrial complex was established in their home town where they earned a living through grape farming. The Mediterranean town is divided into three themes: Provence, Parthenon, and Santorini. The town consists of beautiful European-style architecture buildings with flowers planted between the alleys. The residents of the town always greet the travelers with warm smiles.
You can buy pretty Provence-style souvenirs in souvenir shops for loved ones and experience making handmade chocolate. Enjoy the beautiful street view with a cup of coffee at a cafe you encountered while strolling. You will be able to make the most of your trip without hurrying.

SureStay Plus hotel, located only 10 minutes away by foot from the Mediterranean town, is designated as a certificated hotel of ‘Korea Quality.’ Since Korea Quality is a system that guarantees hygiene and safety through strict evaluation and certification according to service quality standards, it was reliable to make a reservation.

The hotel has a clean interior, air purifier, and bathtub in each room to ensure the relaxation of their guests. A laundry is on the second floor, and a small garden is on the ninth floor for customer’s convenience. Having fresh Korean food as breakfast served in the hotel restaurant with a great view through large windows is also one of the advantages of the SureStay Plus hotel. At the lobby, they provide delivery menus in English for foreign guests.

Nearby the hotel are major tourist attractions such as Hyeonchungsa Shrine and Mediterranean Town. Close to the hotel is a walking trail connected to the end of Garakbawisoryuji Reservoir. If you are seeking beautiful scenery and tranquility, stay in the SureStay Plus hotel and enjoy the richness of the seasons of Asan.

If you are traveling to Asan, Hyeonchungsa Shrine is a must-visit destination attracting many visitors every year. Hyeonchungsa Shrine was built to commemorate the achievements and spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, and it takes about an hour on foot to explore the place. At the Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin Memorial Hall, you can watch the remarkable victory of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Joseon naval forces during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Afterward, you can try to feel the spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin by shooting arrows at the Korean archery experience zone.

If you like walking, go on a stroll through the Hyeonchungsa Shrine Dullegil Course (3.9 km). The trail is full of trees on both sides of the road from Jeongryeo and Chungmumun Gate to Hyeonchungsa Shrine. You will also find the 570-year-old ginkgo tree in front of the pond that boasts a majestic beauty.
Hyeonchungsa Shrine always welcomes its visitors with fresh green nature and peaceful Korean beauty. The memory of a trip to the most historical place in Korea surrounded by beautiful nature will last for a very long time.

Only about a five-minute drive from the Hyeonchungsa Shrine, there is the Ginko Tree Road, one of the 10 Most Beautiful Garosu Streets in Korea. Thanks to the trending cafes, star-rated restaurants, and complex cultural spaces established by Asan’s artists, this area has attracted more people recently. The various exhibitions and the artistic scenery of the street are more than enough to captivate any traveler.

I recommend you to have brunch at a cafe called Underhill where you can see the view of the Ginko tree road. Cafe Underhill renovated an old house, and plain but fresh tomato basil and chicken tender sandwiches are its signature menu. After having brunch, the next recommended course is the “Love Mailbox,” the famous attraction of the Ginko Tree Road. When you send a letter through the mailbox, it will be delivered in six months. After six months, the memory of the trip will be delivered to you as a gift.