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A juxtaposition of old world and new, Songtan (population: 171,000) is an eclectic blend of 21st-century architecture and old-time farmhouses, many of which are now dilapidated and vacant. Devoid of mega-attrac- tions like nearby Yongin City’s Everland Park, greater Songtan manages to offer surprisingly quirky diversions for anyone willing to venture a bit off the beaten trail. That said, you don’t need to travel far: The city is only a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Seoul on the Gyeongbu Expressway; a 50-minute bus ride from Gangnam’s Nambu Bus Terminal; or a subway ride straight to Songtan Station on line 1. Regardless of how you get there, you’re sure to experience the most offbeat urban-rural contrasts in all of Gyeonggi Province. Start near Sinjang Mall, opposite the Osan Air Base’s main gate in central Songtan, and walk east under the archway and down the main pedestrian drag; here the street is lined with trendy shops and noisy clubs blaring rock ‘n’ roll, bustling with activity seven days a week. You’ll find a range of major cuisines: Filipino, Vietnamese, Mexican, Thai — there were five Thai eateries alone at last count — and, of course, pizza. Sinjang Mall is one of the few spots outside Seoul or the U.S. military facilities that can offer authentic piz- za. If you’re really keen on the comfort food, check out Miss Jin’s legitimately famous hamburger stand immediately on the left before the archway. Managed by Jin and her daughter, the stand has been featured in national media since it first opened in 2002. While many places offering Western-style food make you pay a premium for the luxury, Miss Jin’s also has the distinction of being inexpensive. Cheeseburgers are 3,500 won and hot dogs go for 3,000. Want cheese? No problem. Just fork over another 500 won; they’ll customize your entire meal if you like. Artery-clogging, absolutely, yet still worth trying at least once for a nostalgic snack. www.groovekorea.com / July 2014 70 DESTINATIONS Eat , hikE , swim This summer, plan on songTan the street is lined with trendy shops and noisy clubs blaring rock ‘n’ roll, bustling with activity seven days a week. Edited by Shelley DeWees (shelley@groovekorea.com) Story by ron roman / Photos by ron roman and merissa Quek