(Yonhap Feature) Old, new, and something extra in one package at regional Korean city

(ATTN: photos available)
By Shin Hae-in
ASAN, South Korea, April 19 (Yonhap) -- Just a little more than a two-hour drive
from the capital Seoul, Asan has been a city largely unknown even to South
Koreans -- and could barely be called a tourist attraction.
But with pockets made lighter by a global economic crisis, a growing number of
people have been visiting the South Chungcheong city in the past few months, its
traditional folk village attracting up to 3,000 visitors every weekend.
"We are seeing a lot more visitors from in and out of the country," said Shin
Ho-young, the docent of the Oeamri Folk Village. "What the city can offer is much
cheaper than visiting amusement parks, and is just as entertaining and
educational, especially for the children."
Asan, a venue of South Korea's Hyundai Asan Corp. which oversees major economic
projects with North Korea, is one of the fastest growing cities with exports
amounting to US$26 billion last year. At the same time, it is a historic region
which provided early homes to national heroes Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Joseon Dynasty
inventor Jang Young-shil and former President Yoon Bo-seon.
From April 28 through May 3, Asan will hold its annual festival commemorating the
birth of Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), a heroic Korean naval commander noted for his
victories against the Japanese navy during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
With spring flowers in full bloom, Hyeonchungsa, a shrine dedicated to Admiral
Yi, will show off its grandest features in the coming months. Located at the foot
of Mount Banghwa, the shrine embraces a house Yi lived in for some 10 years
studying for the national military service exams.
Originally built in 1706, the shrine was personally named by Joseon King Sukjong
and was designated a historical site in 1974. The portrait of the admiral, his
diary and sword -- all national treasures -- are displayed inside the shrine's
memorial hall.
Oeamri Folk Village, established during the late Joseon period, is one of Asan's
main tourist attractions. The village was designated as a national preservation
district in 1988 as the second area to become such a place in South Korea.
"This village is unique because visitors can actually meet and talk with real
residents," said its docent Shin. "This is not just a tourist location -- it is
home to the spirit of our ancestors, their geological beliefs and faith.
Foreigners adore this place."
About 60 households live in the village built following the traditional Korean
architectural concept called "Baesanimsu," meaning a town that has a mountain
behind it and water flowing in front of it. Korean ancestors believed such
geographical structure brings longevity and fortune.
The village also has a lodging place for foreigners and provides traditional
Korean meals and a village experience.
For something modern, Asan has one of the country's newest and largest spa
facilities, attracting tens of thousands of foreigners on the so-called "medical
vacation" to Korea. The Paradise Spa Dogo, which opened last July, can
accommodate up to 5,000 visitors a day, on a $22-per-day rate, officials said.
"We are seeing a lot of foreigners," said Yi Hyung-jung, the public relations
manager of Paradise Spa. "Asan mineral waters have been proven effective
especially for atopic conditions."
hayney@yna.co.kr
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