Incheon
Live Out Your K-Dreams
Often overlooked only as a city with an international airport, Incheon has much more awaiting to be found. Being the third largest city in South Korea, Incheon has a lot to offer to locals and tourists alike. From fairy tale villages which will make you think of ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay’ and futuristic Songdo Central Park, Incheon has something for everyone. Only an hour away from Seoul, it is definitely worth putting it on your travel itinerary.
P.S. If you are a fan of Hotel Del Luna, then check out Wonderbox (Paradise City) as this is one of the K-drama filming locations!
Chinatown
Incheon’s Chinatown came into being with the opening of Incheon Port in 1883. Although it is now over 100 years old, the Chinatown managed to maintain its authenticity up until today. The place used to be a hotspot for trading goods imported from China, however more recently, many Chinese businesses have closed and become restaurants instead. The area is interesting to wonder around as the restaurants offer a number of flavours, while the traditional Chinese culture of the first generation is still preserved.
Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
The place has a stunning unity of Asian and Western tales, as world-famous fairy tales such as ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Snow white’ are lined along many other South Korean folk tales too. Not only it is a haven of pictures and activities for the children, it is also a great place for adults to relive their childhood and find new inspiring stories along the tiny little streets too.
Jeondeungsa Temple
Built in 381, the temple stands as one of the oldest temples of South Korea. Located on the Ganghwa Island and built atop of the forestry mountain, it soon becomes clear that the atmosphere here is different to any other temple. Make sure to check out the temple stay programme where you can indulge in a tea time with monks and so much more.
Songdo International City/Songdo Central Park
In 2019, Songdo Central Park was selected as one of the ‘100 Must Visit Spots in South Korea’ by none other but the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) itself. Located in the heart of an International Business District, Songdo central park was inspired by New York City’s Central Park! Everything comes to place, once you find yourself staring at the astonishing high-rise complex reflections in the lake right by your feet.
K-drama filming location: Descendants of the Sun; Are You Human; Guardian: the Lonely and Great God
K-pop filming location: Heize- Your Name
Wolmido Island
Interesting to know that although now an island, Wolmido used to be part of the mainland. The place is famous within South Korea for its amusement park and DJ-operated rides. Take a stroll down the Culture Street to enjoy the performances of various street artists and you’ll discover an atmosphere like nowhere else. Down at Wolmi Park, there is also a great observatory, where you can admire the stunning views of the port all year long. If you walk down the coast, you will find a variety of seafood restaurants to try out the Korean cuisine.
The Memorial Hall For Incheon Landing Operation
A war memorial hall built in remembrance of the opening of Incheon Port in 1984, its theme being the successful Incheon Landing Operation led by the United Nations Commander in Chief General McArthur during the Korean War. The place offers visitors a glance into Korean history, with pictures of arms used by the North and South Korean military as well as the pictures of the daily life back then. Outside, you can find various displays of the machinery, statues of important soldiers and an 18-meter long memorial tower.
Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) is another must-try Korean dish that should be on everyone’s itinerary. Although it requires one to cook it yourself, it requires little culinary skills, as the chunky slices of pork belly are being cooked on the grill. It's then wrapped in lettuce or sesame leaf with different sauces and accompaniments such as green chilly peppers or onions, raw onions and garlic, as well as kimchi. Give it a go, we are sure you’ll love it!