Cheonan Community

English Speaking Hairdresser in Cheonan

2011-03-30T18:53:00.000+09:00

I recently met this lady named Sunny who is a hairdresser. The best part about it is that she trained/worked in London for a few years so she speaks excellent English AND knows how to color/cut foreigner's hair. She charges 12 000 Won for a cut and does an excellent job. Here is her website: Sunny Hair.

Foreign food!!!

2010-04-02T09:24:00.001+09:00

Some good news for you my friends. Oatmeal and cilantro are here! Get yourself over to the new foreign food market, right by Cheonan Station. And while you're at it, stop by the most delicious Indian restaurant and support other foreigners in town.

Directions:

From the Cheonan Station courtyard side (Dongbu-Exit 1), walk down that big road towards the bus terminal for about 1 minute. The "World Food" store will be on your right hand side. You can't miss it.

Finds:

Cilantro, a big bag for 2000 won. Those big jug things of oatmeal for 15 000. A nice selection of random spices. Dried beans of all varieties. Import beers. Thai noodles, rice papers, etc. Check it out...I promise you'll come away with something.

Gap: Big Size Clothes

2008-09-04T08:01:00.002+09:00

Ever walked into a Korean store, looking for clothes to fit an expat but having no success? Well, hope is now here: in the form of Gap (a North American favorite). They have an abundance of big size clothing. Expat size you could say. They've got all the basics.

It's at the YaWooRi. Just go in the main entrance and go straight to the back. Or from the bus terminal, go up the stairs near the Coffee Bean (the inside one) and you'll see it.

Piercings in Cheonan

2008-04-10T20:38:00.002+09:00

There's a store called "Artbox" in Cheonan that does piercings. It's on a side-street, right next to the CGV Movie Theater. If you're walking down the main road from downtown to Cheonan-yeok, keep walking past the train station and turn left at Baskin Robbins and you'll find it on your left hand-side.

I got my eyebrow pierced for 10 000 won. You'll have to stop by the store for more information about other stuff, I didn't ask.

Immigration in Cheonan!

2008-03-25T18:42:00.004+09:00

Dajeon Immigration Office opens

Cheonan Branch Office

▪Opening Date : November 1, 2010
▪Office Location :
충남북부상공회의소 4층 (충남 천안시 서북구 불당동 492-3 충남북부상공회의소 4층 403호)
Chungnam Bukbu Chamber of Commerce & Industry
(403, 492-3 Buldang-Dong, Seobuk-Ku, Cheonan-Shi, Chungnam)
▪Work
- Foreigner sojourn : extension of stay, change status of stay, change/add work location, foreigner registration and etc.
- Visa Issuance Procedure
- Investigation of immigration offence/custody
- Issuing certificate
※ Nationality/Naturalization and immigration offence/custody work are to be conducted in Daejeon Immigarion Office.
▪Territory : Cheonan-shi, Asan-shi, and Yesan-kun, Chungnam
▪Contact information : Hot line ‘1345’
☏ 041-621-1345, 042-220-2004
▪Map

* Public tranportation (bus)

- From Cheonan Terminal : 20번. 21번. 13번(천안ㆍ아산역 하차 - 10 minute walk)

- From Asan Terminal : 990번. 991번(천안ㆍ아산역 하차 - 10 minute walk)

* Subway

- Line 1, at Asan station 1호선 아산역 하차(10 minute walk)

* KTX

- KTX at Cheoan Asan Station 천안ㆍ아산역 하차(10 minute walk)

Krispy Kreme is Here!

2008-03-07T17:40:00.000+09:00

I can't believe it! Krispy Kreme is here in Cheonan!

We used to make special trip to Seoul to get our sugar buzz but now we just have to go to the bus terminal to pick up a box of sweet melt in your mouth stay on your hips goodness. Some of my friends complain Krispy Kreme is no longer special because you can get it any time you want. But I'm not complaining.

Location: Yawoori first floor. Main street entrance.

http://www.krispykreme.co.kr/

Kyobo Book Store

2008-02-20T17:35:00.004+09:00

There is a new Kyobo Bookstore in Cheonan. They have a small selection of English books (novels and textbooks). If you apply for the KYOBO Book Club membership you can get a 10% discount on English books.

Kyobo also has a nice selection of stationary supplies and a record store.

Location: 5th floor Yawoori.

Immigration in Cheonan every Wednesday

2007-09-28T12:34:00.000+09:00

Immigration is now in Cheonan every Wednesday from 10:30-4:30. It is very busy so get there early to get a number and get in right away or get there at 10:30 and plan to come back in the afternoon sometime. Even if you're missed your number being called, you can go up to the front of the line.

Location:

충남북부상공회의소(원성2동 소재) 041-556-7131

Chungnam Bukbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It is not too far from downtown. If you're walking from downtown, head towards the Kyobo Building (past Oryong Stadium on your left). At the Kyobo Building intersection, turn right and walk for about 5 minutes. It's on your left, on the other side of the street.

Services: Alien registration, permission for extension of sojurn. You need to purchase the stamps (fee) in advance at a post office.

New Airport Bus Schedule

2006-12-20T23:01:00.000+09:00

Starting on December 1st 2006 there will be new airport bus times. That's great news. Getting back to Cheonan on a evening flight used to be a hassle. Check out the new Cheonan to Incheon Airport Bus Limosine schedule here.

If you do have to stay in Incheon overnight or if you have a really early flight, stay at these cheap hotels near the airport:

Incheon Guest House 48,000 won/night for a double bed
www.ghincheon.com korea@ghincheon.com, 032-747-1872
It was highly recommended. You need a reservation. They have regular shuttle buses to and from the airport.
Jan. 1. 2006 Rates: Single room : \38.000 Double room : \48.000 Twin room : \48.000 Triple room : \58.000

Incheon Airport Backpacker Hotel $48.96/night for a single, $56.94/night for a double
032-747-0161

Cheonan Immigration Office

2006-11-01T21:46:00.000+09:00

The Daejeon Immigration Office visits Cheonan twice a month on Wednesdays.
They operate on the third floor. Go as early as possible since there is a long line and make sure you write your name on the sign-up sheet since it is first come first serve.

The officers are short staffed and grumpy. Be prepared to wait.

They can handle all issues related to foreign registration ( getting an alien registration card, getting multi-entry visa, etc.) You can get your documents returned to you by special delivery (for an extra fee.) This is a great service. No more treks to Daejeon!

If you are just changing your address on your alien registration card you should go to the new Cheonan City Hall located in Buldang-dong. However, if you have an F4 visa then you have to go to the Daejeon Immigration Office (either in Daejeon or the office visiting Cheonan)

This month you can visit the office on November 8th and 22nd.

Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pmLocation: Chungnam buk-bu-sang-kong-hui-eui-so ( 충남 북부상공희의소 ) between the Kyobo building and Cheonan Office of Education. A 3 minute walk from the Office of Education.

Starbucks

2006-10-12T20:00:00.000+09:00

Can you believe it? Cheonan now has a Starbucks. Caffeine and CAKE!

Starbucks is not to be confused with the knock-off Korean chain Starpreya. Starbucks, the Seattle based company, recently lost a trademark dispute with Starpreya.

To read the full story in the Korea Times check out dispute

Starbucks is located downtown across from the Galleria Department Store.

Vietnamese Food in Cheonan?

2006-01-18T10:15:00.000+09:00

Looking for something different to eat? There is a Vietnamese restaurant in Ssangyong-dong across from Lotte Mart. It's on the second floor above Nong-hyup Bank. The service is terrible but the noodles are a nice change.

New to Cheonan?

2005-06-14T10:56:00.000+09:00

Hi. If you're new to Cheonan, here's some info on this mid-sized city.

Across the street from Yawoori is a seven story building. Red Mango smoothies is on the second floor. On the seventh floor is a good pool hall with two pool (Koreans call it pocketball) tables. Nice view of the urban sprawl and they offer you French toast if you're feeling peckish. There are numerous bars, singing rooms, clubs, and billiard halls around the area.

It's a nice place to live, Cheonan, but it's not a tourist hotspot. There are lots of places to eat. It's like a neighborhood of the capital city. They were thinking of moving the capital here but there was too much opposition.

By bus it's an hour to the express bus terminal in Seoul. From the KTX to Seoul station, it's 33 minutes, but the KTX station is way out in the boonies. It's near the Asan border where I live.

Other places to see are the big, bronze, busty Buddha (alliteration) and Independence Hall which is full of anger and sadness. Take the whole family.

Submitted by bj

Getting to Know Cheonan

2005-05-02T12:37:00.001+09:00

CHEONAN (천 안) is a small, but growing city located in Chungchongnam-do (충청남도), South Korea. Above is a map of Cheonan city and the surrounding area. In the last five years there has been a population explosion in Cheonan. Construction of new apartment complexes is booming. Cheonan is located an hour south of Seoul by bus or train. It's a conveniently located city. The high speed train (Cheonan-Asan KTX) can take you to Seoul in 35 minutes or to Busan in 2.5 hours.

The most notable tourist sites are Independance Hall (독립기념관), Mt. Taejo (대조산)/ The Great Bronze Statue of Buddha (청동대좌불) and Gwandeok Temple (광덕사.)

There are many large department/grocery stores like E-mart, Lotte Mart, Carrefour and Galleria. There are even 5 McDonald's restaurants, one Burger King and a zillion Baskin Robbins and Dunkin Donut eateries. Cheonan has come of age!

Five years ago, the sole fast food restaurant chain here was a small McDonald's located in the bus terminal. Large independent movie theatres were overcrowded, overheated and offered their trademark sticky floors. Those days are gone. Cheonan now has a glitzy movie multi-plex located in Yawoori department store, next to the Galleria department store.