Incheon's Best-Kept Secrets: An Alternative Guide To South Korea

If you want to leave behind the busy city life, you can go to some of the lovely islands near Incheon; Wolmido Island is surely the must-visit one. Going to the island is very convenient, as it is just located one kilometer off the coast of Incheon. There is a highway connecting the mainland and the island, so you don’t have use the ferry to get there, and can instead take a local bus from the Incheon subway station. The island is beautiful, and you can walk along the coast and appreciate the tranquil sea, as well as going some scenic spots, including Wolmi Traditional Park and Wolmi Amusement Park. Wolmido Island © travel oriented/Flickr

The street is named Baendaengi Street because this area is famous for its plentiful catches of baendaengi (large-eyed herring), which tastes sweet and fresh. There are numerous seafood restaurants providing baendaengi in different styles, such as roasted, salted, baendaengi sashimi, as well as cooking baendaengi in a spicy soup. They provide other fresh and delicious seafood as well, making this street one of the most famous seafood streets in Incheon. It’s best to go there during March and April, as it is said the fish are the freshest and largest during this period.

Located in the West Sea, Ganghwado Island is the fifth-largest island in Korea (out of 11 inhabited islands and 17 uninhabited islands). The island is believed to have a pretty long history, as there are records of people living on it from the prehistoric period. Those early people left a lot of valuable ancient artefacts, such as the Goindol Rocks, which were actually graves of the ancient rulers of the island. These rocks were designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as they represent an important stage in the development of human civilization. Goindol Rocks © Brian Negin/Flickr

Located along the coast, at the foot of Cheongryangsan Mountain, Songam Art Museum is a building built in an French architectural style. It was initially used for storing a private collection of antiques, but the owner later donated the building and all those antiques to Incheon City, thus it became a museum and is now open to the public. Besides various relics, the museum also exhibits paintings and ceramic wares, which make the collection more various and attractive. But it is not just a place simply showcasing art pieces, the museum also work as a pioneer to promote art in Korean through punishment of books.

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-6pm

Spanning 21.38 kilomenters, Incheon Bridge is the longest and largest bridge in Korea, as well as the fifth-longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It links Incheon International Airport and the Songdo International Business District, providing locals and tourists with a convenient transport route. Visiting Incheon Bridge Memorial Hall is a good way to learn about the bridge. The hall is also a place for tourists to appreciate the beauty of the bridge, as there is a observation floor with huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Incheon Bridge © Edi Ding/Flickr

Sinpo International Market is a popular market in Incheon, offering locals and tourists a wide range of traditional Korean street food. The market has a long history, as it is believed to have developed from the late 19th century. There are a lot of street vendors peddling their produce, making the market have an amazing hustle and bustle. The food sold there is so appetizing that you can probably spend a whole day trying tasty delicacies. In the market you can also feel the locals’ passion and hospitality, as everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

Opening hours: 9am-10.30pm daily

Located on the beautiful Wolmido Island, Wolmi Traditional Park is a interesting place where you can fully experience traditional Korean life and culture. The park was designed as an ancient Korean garden with Yangjindang(a typical Bukchon house where aristocratic families lived), Soswaewon(a main garden), Buyongji(a pond), and Eryeonji(a pond). Surrounded by the sea and mountains, the environment of the park is totally fine and delicate, while the natural beauty can surely make visitors feel relaxed and peaceful.

Opening hours: 5am-11pm Wolmi Park © travel oriented/Flickr