Major Tourist Attractions In Incheon

Incheon is not only a city of trade, it has a number of tourist attractions - temples, museums, parks, markets, cultural centres and eating places. The Wolmido area near the station has some great seafood and Chinese eating places where you can indulge yourself and experiment with local cuisine. The waterfront is packed with entertainment opportunities and an amphitheatre where regular cultural performances take place.

The Jeondeungsa is a 1600 year old Buddhist temple within the historical Samnang-Seong fortress. The temple has an ornately sculpted main hall, splendid paintings, murals and an ornamental iron bell that was made in a Chinese temple and is considered a Korean treasure. In the courtyard grows a 600 year old gingko tree that bears no fruit - a grim warning to the greedy, according to popular legend.

Other sights to visit are the Incheon Dohobucheongsa, built in the 17 th century as a magistrate’s office, and the Incheon Hyanggyo, an old Confucian school. Both the buildings have a display of dolls evocative of the Joseon dynasty.

The Hwadojin Park was originally a fortress built to commemorate the signing of the Amity and Trade Treaty between Korea and the US, Britain and Germany in 1882. The park has an exhibition hall with historical and cultural relics of the period. The Jayu Park, also called the freedom park, is a beautifully landscaped garden with pretty cherry blossoms and a spectacular view of the harbour and Wolmido Island. The statue of General MacArthur and the centenary tower occupy pride of place in the park.

Incheon’s Chinatown started as a thriving commercial area where Korea and China traded in silk, celadon and medicinal herbs. Chinatown’s popularity continues, both as a shopping centre and for its Chinese restaurants. Ganghwa market on Kanghwa Island is a large market that specializes in ginseng and mats made of rushes. It follows a unique system of being open only on days ending in the number 2 or 7!

There are a number of exciting beaches, especially on the islands off the coast, which have pretty promenades and parks. Yeongjong Island is Incheon’s fast-moving side, especially after the new Incheon International Airport was built here. Close by is Ulwangli Beach on the dragon-shaped Yongyu Island, a lovely stretch of sugary sand and all the beach-resort facilities you could ask for. Fishing and swimming are wonderful at Wangsan, while Mashiran is new but still secluded.