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Illustration: Osan
Gyeonggi-do · south of Seoul

Osan 오산

A market, a forest and a fortress with a legend

4 places3 local dishes

Why go

We start with Osan, the city where the maker of Coreanda lives. It is calm, free of tourist crowds, and shows you everyday Korean life: a market more than a century old, an arboretum for slow walks and a hilltop fortress with a clever story. You can get there by subway from Seoul.

Getting there

Subway Line 1 from Seoul Station to Osan Station (오산역, Osan-yeok), approx. 1 hour 15 minutes. Take a train bound for Cheonan or Sinchang. Some Korail Mugunghwa trains also stop at Osan and take approx. 50 minutes.

Travel times are approximate. Verified in October 2026.

What to see

  1. Osan Osaek Market

    오산오색시장 Osan Osaek Sijang

    A traditional market more than a century old, a 5 minute walk from Osan Station. You will find vegetables, fish, clothes and hot food. On dates ending in 3 and 8 the five-day market (오일장, oiljang) usually joins in and the streets get even busier.

  2. Mulhyanggi Arboretum

    물향기수목원 Mulhyanggi Sumogwon

    A Gyeonggi provincial arboretum opened in 2006, about a 5 minute walk from Exit 2 of Osan University Station (오산대역, Osandae-yeok). It has theme gardens, ponds and a grove of tall trees, all on flat ground. Its name means water fragrance.

  3. Doksanseong Fortress and Semadae

    독산성과 세마대지 Doksanseong-gwa Semadaeji

    A mountain fortress with about 1,100 meters of walls, believed to date from the Baekje period. Legend says that in 1592, during the Imjin War, General Gwon Yul had a horse washed with white rice at the top. From afar it looked like water, so the enemy thought the fort had plenty and pulled back. Semadae means the terrace where the horse was washed.

  4. Osancheon Stream

    오산천 Osancheon

    A stream that runs through the city, with paths along the water for walking and cycling. The city looks after it as a natural river, and every April a bicycle festival with a parade takes place on its banks.

What to eat

  1. Sundae-gukbap Korean sausage soup

    순대국밥 sundae-gukbap

    A hot broth with sundae, a Korean blood sausage filled with glass noodles, plus slices of pork. It comes with rice and you season it to taste at the table. The market has a lane lined with places that serve it.

  2. Dakgangjeong Glazed fried chicken

    닭강정 dakgangjeong

    Crispy bite-size fried chicken tossed in a sweet, mildly spicy glaze. A market classic to eat as you walk.

  3. Hotteok Filled pancake

    호떡 hotteok

    A griddled pancake filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and seeds. It comes out very hot, so wait a moment before you bite.

Best time to go

Spring (April and May) for walks along the stream and through the arboretum in bloom, and autumn (October and November) for the arboretum colors. In early June the market usually hosts a night craft beer festival.

Tip

The arboretum opens at 9:00 and is closed on Mondays, January 1 and Lunar New Year's Day. Last entry is one hour before closing (verified in October 2026). For the fortress, get off at Sema Station (세마역, Sema-yeok): it is approx. 50 minutes on foot, or take bus 31 to the Jigot-dong stop and walk up about 30 minutes more. Bring water and comfortable shoes.

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