Ansan

Ansan 안산시
Specific city
Korean transcription(s)
• Hangul	안산시
• Hanja	安山市
• Revised Romanization	Ansan-si
• McCune-Reischauer	Ansan-shi
Emblem of Ansan
Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 37°19′0″N 126°50′0″E / 37.31667°N 126.83333°E / 37.31667; 126.83333Coordinates: 37°19′0″N 126°50′0″E / 37.31667°N 126.83333°E / 37.31667; 126.83333
Country	South Korea
Region	Sudogwon
First mention	940
City status	1986
Administrative divisions	2 gu, 25 dong
Area
• Total	149.39 km2 (57.68 sq mi)
Elevation	139 m (456 ft)
Population (July 31, 2016)
• Total	693,546
• Density	4,600/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
• Dialect	Seoul
Postal code	425020-426910
Area code(s)	(+82) 31
Bird	Chinese egret[1]
Flower	Rose
Tree	Ginkgo
Website	www.iansan.net

Ansan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies southwest of Seoul, and is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. It is connected to Seoul by rail via Seoul Subway Line 4. Ansan is situated on the Yellow Sea coast and some islands lie within its jurisdiction. The largest and best-known of these is Daebu Island. Several higher learning institutions are located in Ansan. They include Ansan University, Ansan College of Technology, Seoul Institute of the Arts, and the ERICA campus of Hanyang University. The Korea Transportation Safety Authority, a government agency, is also headquartered in Ansan on June 3, 2002.^[2][3] With its high number of foreign workers, Wongokbon-dong has been designated a multicultural area.^[4]

History

Ancient Era

The first humans in Ansan were in the New Stone Age, and many shell middens and prehistoric remains are found at Oido, Sihwaho, Chojidong and Daebudo.^[5][6] In the Seonbu-dong and Wolpi-dong area, over 10 stone dolmen tombs can be found.^[7]:28 Also in 1995, Old Stone Age relics were found while constructing the Seohaean Expressway.^[8][9] Most dolmens in Ansan are north dolmen, but the dolmen in Seonbu-dong is table-shaped and another table-shaped tomb was found in Hakon-dong, Gwangmyeong. There are many ancient relics found in the city.^[10][11]

Three Kingdoms and Goryeo Era

Not much evidence or antiquities survive from the Proto-Three Kingdoms and Samhan periods are in Ansan and nearby areas.^[7]:29 The Mahan confederacy in Chen Shou in Records of the Three Kingdoms preserves writings about the chiefdom state.^[10][12] Ansan was in communion with Baekje but very little has been saved.

In the Later Three Kingdoms era, the Ansan area was owned by Taebong (also known as Hugoguryeo, "Later Goguryeo") in Silla Hyogong's 4th year (AD 900).^[7]:31 After then, Gung Ye, who was ruler of Taebong, was overthrown by Wang Geon, and the Ansan area was turned over to Goryeo, founded by Wang Geon. First the Gung Ye Ganggu-gun was changed to Ansan-gun but the state of the military was preserved.

Joseon Era

Ansan belonged to Gyeonggijwa-do (left Gyeonggi province) in the Joseon dynasty. Taejo's 5th year (AD 1396), Ansan-eoso (meaning Ansan fishery) that is now under direct control of a detached building of Saongwon (the Department of foods and meals in the Joseon dynasty) was set up.^[7]:32 After Gyeonggijwa-do and Gyeonggiwo-do (right Gyeonggi province) were unified in Teajong's 2nd year (AD 1402), Ansan was still called Ansan. Under Teajong's 13th (1413), the whole country was detached into eight provinces.

Modern Era

Until 1914, Ansan City and the southern part of today's Siheung city consisted of Ansan County. In 1914, Ansan County was annexed to Siheung County. This region produced high quality salt from ancient times and valuable marine products. Ansan was then a fishing village.^[13] In 1986, several towns of Hwaseong county became incorporated, representing the beginning of Ansan as a city. With currently over 700,000 residents, Ansan now has two distinct and separate districts:^[14] Danwon, which has 12 dongs as of 2009, and Sangnok, with 13.

Geography

Ansan is located in the southwest of Gyeonggi Province and is situated on the coast of the Yellow Sea (locally called West Sea), at 37°19′N 126°50′E / 37.317°N 126.833°E / 37.317; 126.833. Portions of various Yellow Sea islands lie within its jurisdiction. The largest and best-known of these is Daebu Island.

Ansan Canal

Ansancheon Stream

Blossoms near Ansan Canal

Ansan Downtown at Night

Located at the south of the city are Daebudo^[15] and Pungdo.^[16] Kwonsun, Gunpo, and Anyang are located in the east of Ansan. The Yellow Sea to the west, Hwaseong to the south, and Siheung to the north are other boundaries.

Transportation

Railway

The Ansan Line is a major rail line in Ansan. The Ansan Line is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway as Line 4. Service connects to Oido and Songdo in Incheon. The subway is also connected to the public bus system in Ansan. Previously, the first railroad in the city was the Suin Line which was opened by Korea under Japanese rule.

• Korail

• Seoul Subway Line 4 (via Ansan Line)

(Gunpo) ← Banwol — Sangnoksu — Hanyang Univ. at Ansan — Jungang — Gojan — Choji — Singiloncheon → (Siheung)

Future expansion

The Suin Line connecting Suwon to Incheon is set to expand in 2016 when the route from Suwon will connect at Hanyang Univ. at Ansan.^[17]

• Suin Line (via Ansan Line)

(Hwaseong) ← Sari — Hanyang Univ. at Ansan — Jungang — Gojan — Choji — Ansan — Singiloncheon → (Siheung)

The Shin Ansan Line will connect Yeouido to Ansan in 2023.

Yeouido - Yeoungdeungpo - Dorim Sageori - Daerim Samgeori - Guro Digital Complex - Doksan - Siheung Sageori - Suksu - Gwangmyeong - Mokgam - Sungpo - Jungang - Hosu - Hanyang Univ. (Technopark at Ansan)

It will take only 30 minutes from Yeouido to Ansan.^[18]

Bus

Ansan Bus Terminal

The Ansan Bus Terminal (안산종합버스터미널) near Ansan Station provides daily bus service to Incheon International Airport and most cities in South Korea. Buses travel via Gimpo International Airport and Incheon International Airport. Express buses to Iksan, Dongdaegu, and Gwangju are also available.^[19] Near Sangnoksu Station are buses going to Suwon Station and Gangnam Station. Ansan has 53 bus lines with 537 buses operating in and out of the city limits, connecting the city with Seoul and other outlying Gyeonggi cities. The Ansan transfer center also has express city buses, city buses and intercity buses to link to Banwal industrial estate, Sihaw lake and nearby cities.

Public institutions

The Korea Transportation Safety Authority, a government agency of South Korea, is headquartered in Ansan.^[2] Other major institutions in Ansan include:

• Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology
• Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
• Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office
• Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Kyeonggi Province Technology Ansan Center
• Korea Testing Laboratory, Ansan Center

Administrative districts

The administrative district of Ansan is parted into 25 Dong, 1187 Tong and 5884 Ban. The extent of Ansan is 149.06㎢ (Sangrok-gu : 57.83㎢ Danwon-gu : 91.23㎢).^[20] The population standard was 281,829 households and 761,279 people at the end of 2012, of which the Korean citizen population was 715,108 with 43,465 foreigners recorded.^[21]

Larger map of the Ansan-si districts. Danwon-gu district covers the west mainland part and stretches to the sea to cover Daebudo and Pungdo islands.

Education

Ansan had the Hyanggyo of national education organization of the country throughout the Joseon Dynasty and Goryeo. Institutions of higher learning located in Ansan include Ansan University, Ansan College of Technology, Seoul Institute of the Arts, and the ERICA campus of Hanyang University.

List of universities in Ansan:

• Hanyang University, ERICA Campus at Ansan^[22]
• Shin Ansan University^[23]
• Seoul Institute of the Arts^[24]
• Ansan University^[25]

There are 24 high schools, 29 middle schools, 54 elementary schools and 96 kindergartens in the city.^[26] Danwon High School in Ansan was particularly affected by the Sinking of the MV Sewol in 2014 as a large number of the passengers were students from the school, and city streets featured many ribbon memorials and other markers and ceremonies for the disaster.^[27]

Economy

Because Ansan is a planned city built behind the Ansan Smart Hub following the government's industrial planning, the proportion of agriculture in Ansan industry is very low. Meanwhile, as the government intensively drove a manufacturing industry plan in the Ansan area before Ansan was built, many people work in the manufacturing industry. There are two national industrial complexes, Banwol and Sihwa, as well as the local Banwol plating industrial complex.^[28][29][30]

Cultural institutions and heritage

In the past Ansan had fewer attractions due to its industrial and fishing roots, but the east side of the city has recently experienced several beautification projects. The canal systems which bisect the city have bicycling and walking paths, and are covered with roses, tulips, and cherry blossoms in spring. A community bicycle system sponsored by the city is also available for park access and riding. Nowadays, Ansan has many museums and galleries, such as the Ansan Culture and Arts Center, Seongho Memorial Hall, Danwon Sculpture Park, and Hwarang Public Garden. Ansan has run city bus tours for cultural heritage sightseeing since 2008.^{[31][32][33][34][35]}

Events

The Jet-mer-ri village deity is held every year in Jet-mer-ri shrine to the village deity from 1984, and since 1987 the Beal-Mang-Sung art festival is held. Also, since 1991 the Danwon art festival and since 1996 the Sung-ho cultural festival is held. The Ansan Street Arts Festival is held in Ansan Culture Square in May since 2005. Other festivals in Ansan include:

• Ansan Kim Hong-do Festival (September)
• Byeolmangseong Art Festival (September)
• Seongho Cultural Festival (May)
• Ansan Street Arts Festival(May)
• Ansan Daebu Island: The scent of ocean tulip festival (April)
• Ansan Valley Rock Festival (July)

Historical monuments and structures

Historical monuments and structures in Ansan include:

• Ansan Town Wall^[36]
• Byeolmangseong Fortress^[37]
• Cheongmundang^[38]
• Daebudo Island Charity Monument (Daebudo Jaseonbi)^[39]
• Gosong Pavilion^[40]
• Hong Jeonghui Gate of Filial Duty (Hongjeonghui Hyojamun)^[41]
• Jaetmeori Local God Shrine^[42]
• Korean Juniper Tree in Palgok-ri^[43]
• Ojeonggak Pavilion^[44]
• Sasechungyeolmun (Shrine of Loyalty, Virtue and Filial Duty)^[45]
• Seonbu-dong Dolmens^[46]
• Ssanggyesa Temple^[47]
• Tomb of Ahn Tandae^[48]
• Tomb of Choi Hon^[49]
• Tomb of Gang Jing^[50]
• Tomb of General Choi Jeong-geoi^[51]
• Tomb of Han Eungin^[52]
• Tomb of Hong Cheoyun^[53]
• Tomb of Jeong Eonbyeok^[54]
• Tomb of Princess Jeongjeong^[55]
• Tomb of Yi Ik^[56]
• Tomb of Yi Inhyeon^[57]
• Tomb of Yu Seok^[58]
• Tomb of Yun Gang^[59]

Modern monuments and cultural institutions

Modern monuments and cultural institutions in Ansan include:

• Gyeonggi Museum of Art (sometimes known as the Ansan Art Museum)^[60]
• Ansan Botanical Garden^[61][62]
• Ansan Cultural Center^[63][64]
• Ansan Culture and Arts Center^[65]
• Ansan Lighthouse^[66]
• Ansan Sled Park^[67]
• Choi Yong-sin Memorial Hall^[68][69]
• Fishing Village Folk Museum^[70][71]
• Gyeonggi English Village Ansan Camp^[72] (also known as Ansan Hwajeong English Village)^[73]
• Olympic Memorial Hall^[74]
• Seongho Memorial Hall^[75]

Parks and natural landmarks

Ansan is home to several parks, including:

• Ansan Lake Park^[76]
• Daebu Island^[77][78]
• Hwarang Public Garden^[79]
• Lake Sihwaho^[80]
• Mt. Gwangdeoksan^[81]
• Mt. Surisan^[82]
• Nojeok Bong Park^[83]
• Seongho Park^[84]
• Seongpo Arts Square^[85]
• Sihwaho Lake Reed Marsh Park^[86][87]
• Marronniergongwon Park^[88]

Ansan canal through trees

Ansan Canal, South Korea

Ansan Dutch Garden Roses

Sports

Large and small stadiums have been founded from the 1990s on in Ansan.^[89] Major sports events in the city take place at the Ansan Wa~ Stadium.^[90][91]

The city is home to Shinhan Bank S-Bird Woman’s Basketball Team (member of the Women's Korean Basketball League)^[92] It was also a home to the now-defunct National League soccer club Ansan Hallelujah.

Ansan is also home to Ok Savings Bank Rush & Cash Volleyball Club . (member of the Korean Volleyball League) Now Ok savings Bank volleyball Team`s main coach is Kim se Jin.^[93]

TV and Movies

The pension complex on Daebu Island is used as a location for dramas such as Boys Over Flowers (TV series) and A Man Called God^[94]

• The Last Scandal of My Life
• Boys Over Flowers (TV series)
• No Limit
• A Man Called God
• The secret of birth

Sister cities

Sister cities (foreign cities)

• Anshan, People's Republic of China
• Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
• Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia^[95]
• Kholmsk, Russia

Sister cities (domestic cities)

• Haenam County, South Korea
• Cheongyang County, South Korea
• Chuncheon, South Korea
• Jecheon, South Korea

Friendly Cooperation Cities

• Waldviertel (Zwettl), Austria
• San Fernando, Philippines
• Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, Viet Nam
• Yantai, People's Republic of China

Government offices

• Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute
• Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
• Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office
• Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
• Korea Testing Laboratory

Mayors

• 1st - Jeon Chang-seon (January 1, 1986 ~ February 10, 1988)
• 2nd - Jang Ui-jin (February 11, 1988 ~ June 4, 1988)
• 3rd - Lee Sang-yong (June 5, 1988 ~ December 26, 1989)
• 4th - Lee Soo-yeong (December 27, 1989 ~ January 2, 1992)
• 5th - Cho Gun-ho (January 3, 1992 ~ January 10, 1993)
• 6th - Kim Tae-su (January 11, 1993 ~ October 5, 1994)
• 7th - Choi Soon-sik (October 5, 1994 ~ June 30, 1995)
• 8th - Song Jin-sub (July 1, 1995 ~ June 30, 1998)
• 9th - Park Sung-gyu (July 1, 1998 ~ June 30, 2002)
• 10th - Song Jin-sub (July 1, 2002 ~ June 30, 2006)
• 11th - Park Joo-won (July 1, 2006 ~ June 30, 2010)
• 12th - Kim Chul-min (July 1, 2010 ~ June 30, 2014)
• 13th - Je Jong-gil (July 1, 2014 ~ )

Famous people from Ansan

• Actors : Kim Sung-eun,^[96] Hong su-a, Jung Woong-in, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Tae-sung
• Models : Hye Park
• Comic actors : Kang Sung-bum (appearances in KBS Gag Concerts)
• Singers : Lee Ji-hyun, Kang Seulgi (Red Velvet)
• Pro-gamers : Jun Tae
• Baseball players : Kim Kwang-hyun (SK Wyverns), Kim Min-Woo (Kia Tigers)
• Cartoonists : Lee Mal Nyeon^[97]

Exchanges

• Council of the National Multicultural City
• Council of the National Lifelong Learning City
• Metropolitan mayor nationwide council

See also

• List of islands in Ansan
• Ansan street arts festival

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ansan.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ansan.

• City government website

Gyeonggi Province
Suwon (capital)
	Specific cities	Ansan Danwon Sangnok Anyang Dongan Manan Bucheon (no district subdivisions) Goyang Deogyang Ilsandong Ilsanseo Hwaseong (no district subdivisions) Namyangju (no district subdivisions) Seongnam Bundang Jungwon Sujeong Suwon Gwonseon Jangan Paldal Yeongtong Yongin Cheoin Giheung Suji
	Cities	Anseong Dongducheon Gimpo Gunpo Guri Gwacheon Gwangju Gwangmyeong Hanam Icheon Osan Paju Pocheon Pyeongtaek Siheung Uijeongbu Uiwang Yangju Yeoju
	Counties	Gapyeong Yangpyeong Yeoncheon