A major port city in South Korea, Incheon Metropolitan City has long served as a transportation hub by air and sea. It’s home to the country’s main airport and one of the world’s best, Incheon International Airport. Unbeknownst to many, Incheon has so many unique attractions you probably didn’t know existed.
1. Jjajangmyeon Museum
One of the staple food in South Korea, jjajangmyeon is noodles in black bean sauce that was introduced in 1905 by a Chinese immigrant from the Shandong Province. The Chinese restaurant they ran back then is now the Jjajangmyeon Museum. The museum aims to promote the historical as well as cultural values of the Korean-style Chinese dish. It’s open all year round and features the history of Chinese immigrants in South Korea and jjajangmyeon.
2. Wolmi Theme Park
Wolmi Theme Park was first opened in September 1992 as My Land, before it was remodeled and reopened under a new name in August 2009. Located on Wolmido Island, the park features various rides including the 70m high Hyper Shoot Drop, a two-storey Viking Ship, a 115m high Ferris Wheel, Tagada Disco and many more. Wolmi Theme Park gained more popularity after it appeared in various variety shows, dramas and music videos.
3. Heungryunsa Temple
Originally established during the Goryeo Dynasty, the temple was named Cheongnyangsa after the nearby mountain, Cheongnyangsan. Unfortunately, during the Japanese Invasion, the temple was lost to a fire and left desolate for over 300 years until a new temple was constructed in 1938. The temple boasts of a stunning view at any time of day, but it’s especially beautiful during the sunset.
4. Goryeosan Mountain
Steeped in folklore, it’s been said that in the year 416, a monk named Cheonchunguk found Oryeonji Pond when he climbed the mountain, where the five-coloured lotus flower blossomed. He picked the flower, blew it into the air, and then built a temple where each of the petals landed. All five temples were named according to the colour of the petal: Jeokseoksa Temple (red lotus), Baengnyeonsa Temple (white lotus), Cheongryeonsa Temple (blue lotus), Hwangryeonsa Temple (yellow lotus), and Heungnyeonsa Temple (black lotus).
5. Baedari Secondhand Book Alley
Prior to the establishment of Gyeongin Railroad, this alley was referred to as Ugakli Street and was the representative road to Seoul. There are about 10 bookstores in the area selling both secondhand and new books in a wide range of topics, from ancient Korean literature to modern lifestyles. Among the bookstores, the one that particularly stands out is Hanmi Bookstore which appeared in the popular drama, Goblin.
6. Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
Bring out the kid in you at this fairy tale village in Incheon. There’s an explosion of colours everywhere you look, with beautiful murals, decorations and a variety of art installation that surely will bring you back to your childhood. From Korean folk tales to Disney Princesses, every surface and every corner of the village has been splashed with vibrant colours and no space is left untouched.
Get in touch with Sri Sutra Travel to find out how you can travel to Incheon.
