[Latest 2025 Travel Guide] Incheon
🌊 Editor's Guide: A Complete Guide to Incheon Travel
Located in northwestern South Korea, Incheon is a port city adjacent to Seoul and a key gateway to the country. While many people simply use Incheon Airport for transit, the city offers a wealth of sea views, history, culture, delicious food, and great shopping, making a stay of even a day or two truly enjoyable.
📍 Must-see attractions in Incheon
1. Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
- Features : The whole street is themed around fairy tales, with super cute wall paintings and art installations.
- Editor’s Tip : Connect Chinatown and Liberty Park to visit three attractions at once.
2. Incheon Chinatown
- Features : The only official Chinatown in South Korea, with red lanterns and archways creating a very atmospheric atmosphere.
- Editor's recommendation : You must try "Jjajangmyeon" and "Sweet and Sour Pork", as this is the birthplace of Korean-Chinese cuisine.
3. Freedom Park (Jayugongwon)
- Features : The highest point in Incheon, overlooking the port and the city. The cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring.
- Editor’s Tip : Inside the park is a statue of American General MacArthur, a symbol of Korean War history.
4. Wolmido Island
- Features : A small harbor island with an amusement park, coffee street and sea view trail.
- Editor's suggestion : Come to see the sunset in the evening and then have a seafood platter.
5. Songdo Central Park
- Features : Modern cityscape with artificial waterways, sailboats, and skyscrapers.
- Editor’s tip : The lights reflected on the water at night are super romantic and perfect for a stroll for couples.
6. Ganghwado
- Features : About an hour's drive from downtown Incheon, with historical sites, terraced rice fields and coastal scenery.
- Editor's recommendation : Suitable for travelers who want to get away from the city and experience the Korean countryside.
🍜 Must-try food in Incheon
| gourmet food | Recommended locations | Editor's Thoughts |
|---|---|---|
| Jajangmyeon (짜장면) | Chinatown | The sauce is rich and has a more traditional flavor than the one in Seoul. |
| Sweet and Sour Pork (탕수육) | Chinatown | The crispy skin is served with sweet and sour sauce, and the Korean way of eating it is to pour the sauce on it. |
| Seafood Pancake (해물파전) | Wolmido Beach Restaurant | The ingredients are rich and substantial, and it is great with makgeolli rice wine. |
| Raw octopus (산낙지) | Wolmido Island | The freshest seafood challenge. |
| Incheon Fried Chicken | Songdo and Bupyeong | Cheaper than Seoul, with more choices of flavors. |
🚇 Incheon Transportation Guide
1. Subway
- Incheon Subway is divided into Incheon Line 1 and Line 2, and is connected to multiple lines of the Seoul Subway.
- Editor’s Tip : From Seoul, you can reach Incheon’s main attractions by taking Line 1 or the Airport Express (AREX).
2. Bus
- There are convenient buses in the city, connecting the port, Wolmido Island, Songdo and other places.
- It is recommended to use "Kakao Map" to check the route.
3. Taxi
- The price is slightly lower than Seoul, suitable for visiting multiple attractions.
4. From Incheon Airport
- Take the Airport Express (AREX) → Incheon City or Seoul
- Take the airport bus to Songdo, Wolmido, and other major areas
- Editor's note : If you only stay for half a day, it is recommended to visit Chinatown + Fairy Tale Village + Freedom Park directly, which saves the most time.
🎯 Editor's recommendation for a 1-day itinerary
Morning : Chinatown → Songwol-dong Fairytale Village → Jayu Park
Afternoon : Wolmido Island, enjoy the sea and seafood → Songdo Central Park night view
