Major city · South Korea
Nonsan논산
One night is enough for Nonsan: Gwanchoksa's 18 m stone Buddha, Donam Seowon and the Ganggyeong salted-fish market, then move on.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 30 °C), late Jan–Feb (coldest)avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 86 °F), late Jan–Feb (coldest)
- Airports
- CJJ · ICN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
Nonsan is a small South Chungcheong city of about 125,000 people, halfway between Daejeon and the Baekje sites of Buyeo and Gongju. Its draws are a Goryeo-era stone Buddha at Gwanchoksa, a UNESCO-listed Confucian academy at Donam Seowon, the salted-fish market at Ganggyeong, and Tapjeongho Lake. Sights are spread across the county, so a car or local buses decide your day. Most travellers give it one night, or use it as a stop between Daejeon and Buyeo.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nonsan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetyNonsan is a low-crime provincial city; the real risks are rural roads after dark, unlit lakeside paths and summer heat.
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 (≈ under US$1) Travel helpline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCJJ Cheongju International (Bus or taxi to Nonsan, roughly 1.5 h; check current schedules.).
- Getting aroundcheckLocal buses run to the main sights (fares about ₩1,200–1,500 (≈ US$1–2); check routes and times locally).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₩3,000–5,500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice lunch₩8,000–12,000 (≈ US$6–9)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi base fare₩4,000 (≈ US$3)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride₩1,200–1,500 (≈ US$1–2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₩10,000–25,000 (≈ US$8–18)
- Budget bedLakeside pension (up to 4), a night, per room₩90,000 (≈ US$65)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per room₩80,000 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per room₩150,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩60,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ₩100,000 (≈ US$75) · High ₩180,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CJJ Cheongju International (Bus or taxi to Nonsan, roughly 1.5 h; check current schedules.) · ICN Incheon International (About 3.5 h by train and bus via Seoul or Daejeon; check connections.)
Weather and climate
Nonsan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C37°F
−5°C23°F
7 rd
Feb
6°C43°F
−3°C27°F
6 rd
Mar
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
7 rd
Apr
18°C64°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
May
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
8 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
9 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
13 rd
Sep
26°C79°F
17°C63°F
8 rd
Oct
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
6 rd
Nov
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
7 rd
Dec
5°C41°F
−3°C27°F
7 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses run to the main sights (fares about ₩1,200–1,500; check routes and times locally). Taxis start around ₩4,000 and cost roughly ₩10,000–20,000 to outlying sites. A car is the practical choice for Donam Seowon, Ganggyeong and the lake; the centre itself is flat and walkable.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gongju
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or train toward Daejeon, then local bus; or drive 30–40 min
Gongsanseong fortress and the Baekje royal tombs; pairs well with Buyeo.
Buyeo
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus via Nonsan or drive 40–50 min
Baekje capital sites and the Sabi-era museum; a full day.
Daejeon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Frequent bus from Daejeon Dongbu terminal, about 40 min
Use it as the rail hub for KTX onward to Seoul or Busan.
Sejong City
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus or drive via the Daejeon corridor, about 1 h
Mostly a planned administrative city; go only for a specific sight.
Cheonan
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train or bus north, about 1 h
Better as a rail stop than a day out; Independence Hall is the main draw.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Nonsan Station and bus terminal area
Central, walkable to both terminals; best for one night with bags and early departures.
Ganggyeong-eup
Separate town 20–25 min northwest; stay here only if the salted-fish market is your main reason.
Tapjeongho Lake area
Lakeside motels and pensions; needs a car or taxi for everything.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₩60,000–90,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₩90,000–150,000 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- ₩150,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₩80,000 | ₩80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₩100,000 | ₩200,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₩15,000 | ₩30,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₩31,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₩170,500 per person per day, bed included | ₩341,000≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in won; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₩3,000–5,500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Noodle or rice lunch | ₩8,000–12,000 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Salted-fish (jeotgal) meal in GanggyeongSold by weight at the market; ask the price first. | ₩15,000–30,000 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Local bus ride | ₩1,200–1,500 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi base fare | ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₩10,000–25,000 (≈ US$8–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sights are spread over a rural county: without a car, allow 2–3 bus rides per day and check return times before you set out.
- Gwanchoksa and the Baekje Military Museum are free, but several small museums close on Mondays; check before travelling.
- Ganggyeong is a separate town, not a Nonsan city neighbourhood: budget 20–25 min each way.
- Summer brings the heaviest rain of the year (July–August); winter mornings can be below freezing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)
- 1330
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Nonsan논산
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)1330
Embassy
No embassies in Nonsan; most are in Seoul, with a US consulate in Busan. Check your embassy's site for the current address.
My embassy: —
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo)
- 이거 주세요 — This one, please (igeo juseyo)
- 버스 정류장이 어디예요? — Where is the bus stop? (beoseu jeongnyujangi eodiyeyo)
- 카드로 돼요? — Can I pay by card? (kadeuro dwaeyo)
Sights are spread out; save the Korean names to show drivers.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nonsan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 30 °C), late Jan–Feb (coldest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CJJ and ICN: last bus and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Nonsan station and terminal, Gwanchoksa, Donam Seowon, Ganggyeong.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gwanchoksa, Baekje Military Museum, Donam Seowon, Ganggyeong market) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bus-route fixtures for 101, 203 and 303 so gate checks can go green.