Ch'onan Off The Beaten Path

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There aren't any buses to Beopjusa, so you will have to rent a car or bribe a friend. Beopju-sa is about 65 miles east of Cheonan, up in the mountains. The standing golden Buddha is one of the prettiest in Korea. Maybe not the biggest, but with the dark green setting of the trees behind, the blue sky trimming the mountain, it is one of the most impressive sights. The rest of the temple is the normal run-of-the mill but the scenery, and the buddha make it worth the 1 1/2 hour trip. The easiest way is to head north out of Cheonan on Hwy #1, NOT Expressway #1. About 12 kilometers north of Cheonan you will turn right on #34. Stay on it until you see the signs directing you to Beopju-sa on your right. The road up the mountain is not straight. caution is advised. It is the only place in Korea where you can have a rear-end colision with yourself. Hyway #34 offers some nice views of orchards, rice paddies, a pair of wonderful churches; one Methodist made of huge slabs of gray sone ,and one Presbyterian apparently made of stainless steel. In general the trip is at least half the experience of going there. It is easier if there are only two people and one them can reant a motorscooter.

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About 2 hours west of Cheonan on hywy 21 is the small island of Anmyeon. During the early spring-May-June there are several flower shows. The beaches alone make the trip there worthwhile, but if you can visit during a flower show you will see some of the worlds most exotic plants. During the winter it is great to just enjoy the bright sunshine, crisp air, and almost empty beaches. Anmyeon is connect to the mainland by a very short bridge and buses run there regularly from most large cities. There is no train service. All of the restaurants have great seafood dishes. One of the best is just across the bridge on the way back to the mainland at the first place on the right. The steamed clams, noodle soup, and cracked crab are all wonderful. Cheap too. For the dedicated phtographer, continue north past the junction with 91. Follow the signs to Malipo. This is a quiet fishing village with a decent hotel--$25.00 a night--great beaches, glorious sunsets, and scenery that is worthy of any calendar or postcard. The attached photo is what happens when you do not heed the "Do not drive on the beach" sign.