After traveling Incheon for a day, CAH found out four salient charming features of Incheon. First, people can feel the scent of the sea. Because it is located near the sea, people can see the ocean whenever they want. Second, there is a lot to enjoy. Travelers can make good memories in Incheon. Third, a variety of foods attract many travelers. Last, Incheon is famous for its historical value. Now, it is time to explore the attractions of Incheon specifically.
Chinatown is located right in front of the Incheon subway station. It is also known as a Small China in Korea. Amazingly, the gate of Chinatown makes people really feel as if they are in China. The gate, called “Paeru,” is a symbolic architectural construction that represents Chinatown. The gate is designed sophistically and aesthetically which exudes Chinese impression. When entered the town, tourists can see many Chinese restaurants and shops that sell Chinese related products. Korean-Chinese Cultural Center was located near the gate. It was built in 2005 in order to help cultural and historical exchange between South Korea and China. It hosts Chinese plays and circus, Chinese and Korean classes, and displays of items that represent Korean and Chinese culture. This building helps visitors to have a look on both cultures and compare their history, culture, economics, life and social differences. CAH got into one of the Chinese restaurants called “Ja geum Seong” to eat lunch. We ordered Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and Jjambbong. As expected, the taste was great. That Chinatown is the origin of Jajangmyeon is an interesting fact. After eating lunch, CAH headed to Samgukji Mural Street. It is a 135-meter long wall where people can see the 77 major scenes from the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukji). Even a person who had not read the novel would get a feeling of having read the entire novel just by walking along the mural street. The pictures drawn on the wall are very realistic and impressive. Next, CAH went to Jayu Park. Developed in 1888, it is the first park in Korea constructed in western-style. In the park, there were many aged people socializing and classical music spreading around the park. Many trees and huge squares would make tourists feel relaxed and calm.
Besides the places mentioned above, there are more to see in Chinatown. Gonghwachun is one of them. It is a Chinese-style hotel built for merchants in South Korea. The building is remarkable for its masonry style walls, a wooden truss roof, and a Chinese-style interior. It would be developed as a museum which displays information about Jajangmyeon and history of Chinese Koreans. What tourists should know about the building is that it is a place where Jajangmyeon is invented for the first time in Korea.
Wolmido Island
CAH took bus number 45 in front of the Chinatown to get to Wolmido Island. It is charming and entertaining tourism icon that whomever travelled to Incheon must visit. After getting off the bus at Wolmido Island station, CAH went to Wolmi Amusement Park called “My Land.”
Operating time: 10:00-24:00
Ticket Price:
One ride Three rides
Adult 4000 won 10000 won
Children 3000 won 10000 won
Viking ride at the amusement park is known as Korea’s greatest one. When the Viking went up to the very high, it feels like flying. The slope of the Viking when it got to the very high is the steepest among many Viking rides in Korea. The next famous ride is Apollo Disco. It is operated by a DJ who makes funny and witty remarks of the riders. Riders need much power to hold the handle otherwise they would roll over and over due to the shaking of the ride. Then, CAH went to Wolmi Culture Street. Along the street, visitors can enjoy ocean scenery, a variety of performances, and works of street painters. The street is divided into four sections – ‘Meeting area’, ‘Art Exhibition Area’, ‘Performance Area’, and ‘Customs Area’. It was great to walk along the street after enjoying rides in My Land. On the street, there is a quay where one can get cruise ship. The price of a cruise ship ranges from 15,000 won to 55,000 won for adults and 8,000 won to 45,000 won for children.
Wolmi park is located two stations before wolmido island. It is an ecological park with a well-preserved nature, and a historical park where the Incheon Landing Operation happened during the Korean War. It was opened to the public in 2001 after 50 years of restriction while the military was stationed there. The park is also famous for a place where Korean ancient architecture was found. It would be a good chance to visit here in a sunny day because they would be amazed by a well-preserved natural ecology.
Wolmido Cultural Festival is held every October, and holds various events including ocean fireworks. It is held on the culture street, and is a festival open for anyone. Unfortunately, when CAH visited Wolmido Island, the festival was not taking place. Hope students stpend a great day of festivity in this October in Wolmido Cultural Festival.
Sinpo Market
CAH took bus number 45 to get to Sinpo Market. Warm-heartedness of people together with market food impressed tourists. Since Sinpo market is famous for chicken gangjeong, CAH tried it right away. It was sweet and spicy at the same time. Its price was 15,000 won. In the market, there were many shops that sell variety of goods such as flowers, shoes and bags. The road was cleaner than expected. Walking along the market, CAH also tried Gonggal bread as well as Hangari dumpling. Ggonggal means a lie in Korea. Its big shape cheats one’s eyes because it actually has nothing inside. The sweet honey attached to the surface of the bread attracts many customs. Another delicious food sold in the mark is Hangari dumplings. Hangari means a jar in Korean. Hence, it is dumplings roasted inside a jar. This is special because dumplings are usually grilled on frying fan. CAH could feel the Korean traditions by enjoying these market foods.
Songdo International City
Songdo International City is located 15 minutes away from Incheon International Airport, and CAH took bus number 45 again to get to the city. CAH was excited to visit the city since the city was developed as a center of international business and many fields of industries. In Songdo Central Park, people can take a water taxi. It takes about fifteen minutes to go around the park. It was fun because people can enjoy the view and relax. Tri-Bowl is a famous building in Songdo International City which was constructed to commemorate Global Fair and Festival 2009 Incheon. Its unique form, a three-dimensional curved surface, catches viewers’ eyes. It looks like three bowls floating on the water. It is comprised of a basement and three stories. In the Tri-Bowl, people can watch cultural events.