INCHEON

Though it is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area, Incheon is a major city and destination in its own right, holding appeal for business, architecture, art, culture, cuisine and nightlife interests. Korea’s third-most populous city with more than 2.7 million residents, Incheon is a busy industrial port nestled along the Yellow Sea. Check out the city’s arts and entertainment scene in the Arts Centre central square, and then go shopping and satisfy your taste buds with local and international dishes in the Bupyeong district and Korea’s only Chinatown. After exploring downtown, hop on a ferry and discover the offshore beauty of Incheon’s several islands.

GETTING THERE

Located west of downtown Incheon on Yeongjong Island, Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the largest airport in South Korea and the main hub for Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Jeju Air. Taxi service to the city center costs about $50 and takes 25 minutes. For subway service, you have to take the AREX (Airport Express) to Gyeyang (about $2.50) to transfer to the Incheon subway line (less than $3). By using the express service (same price), you can save 30 minutes of travel time. Limo buses ($10 for a 50-minute ride) travel from the airport to many major points of interest in Incheon.

GETTING AROUND

Operated by the Incheon Rapid Transit Corporation, the Incheon Subway is a single subway line with 29 stations throughout the city and connected to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway system at Bupyeong station. Fares are priced at about $1 for the first six miles and about 10 cents for each additional three-mile increment. The local bus system is another great way to get around the city, with more than 2,000 operating buses. Taxi service starts from $2.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

Jayu Park
Take in the many statues and sculptures, along with the great views of downtown Incheon and the Yellow Sea, on a walk through Jayu Park, also known as Liberty or Freedom Park. Like an open-air history museum, the park has many features of historic importance, including a statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who led an amphibious landing at Incheon during the Korean War, and a monument celebrating 100 years of friendship between the United States and Korea.

Jeondeungsa Temple
Located on the top of Mt. Jeongjoksan on Ganghwa Island, Jeondeungsa Temple is considered one of the oldest in Korea and is said to have been built by the three sons of Dangun, the founder of Korea, as a shrine to their family ancestors. Admire the ornate carvings and 800-year-old paintings that decorate the site’s 10 wooden buildings of various architectural styles. Visit in April or early May before or during the Lotus Lantern Festival to see the area brimming with colorful lanterns.

SKY72 Golf Club
Tee off at SKY72, the largest golf club in Northeast Asia and a Nicklaus Design course. Boasting a 400-yard driving range with 300 stations, SKY72 features four distinct courses offering different terrains and natural elements including cliffs, mountains and full views of the ocean.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Hanmeneun Cherry Blossom Festival
Celebrated annually during the month of April in Jayu Park, the Hanmeneun Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes the return of spring. Admire the many flowering cherry blossoms while enjoying live music and contests.

Hwadojin Festival
Every May, locals and visitors come together to celebrate the enduring friendly relations between the United States and Korea at the Hwadojin Festival. The event commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation between Korea and the United States, concluded May 22, 1882. Events include multiple musical performances.

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
Held annually for three days in July or August, the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is one of the largest live music events in the country. Both locals and music fans worldwide flock to this event to attend concerts of various genres of music, primarily rock and electronic, in Incheon Dream Park.

RESOURCES

For more information, visit visitkorea.or.kr