Incheon

Incheon (Hangul: 인천, Hanja: 仁川, formerly romanized as Inchon) is a city in South Korea on the coast directly bordering the west of Seoul.

Not to be confused with Icheon.

This article is about the city. For its airport, see Incheon International Airport

Understand

Incheon is a historically and economically significant place for Koreans. During the Korean War, the city was the site of the Incheon Landing by American forces. Today, it is a metropolitan city with the population of about 2.8 million, politically independent from Seoul. Also, the city serves as a transportation hub by air and sea, with a massive harbor and a major international airport. Several beautiful islands, such as Yeongjong Island and Ganghwa Island, are also within city limits.

The status of the area is set to increase as various national projects are in development here. The New Songdo City plan, the most expensive real estate development in Korean history, is in progress. One of the world's tallest twin tower buildings, 151 Incheon Tower, is under early construction and one of Korea's tallest buildings, the Northeast Asia Trade Tower, is already finished. It is planning to launch further independent mini-cities for shopping, housing, and education. Added to this real estate development, and will also invite a large number of visitors for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Despite these developments, the Songdo district of Incheon is unfinished and not yet permitted for full inhabitation, not yet a viable destination for tourists. Travellers are more likely to enjoy the bustling inland eastern side of Incheon which blurs into the vast expanse of Seoul.

Climate

Incheon
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       7.9     3 −4       17     6 −2       8.5     11 4       44     17 9       74     22 13       63     25 19       227     28 22       122     28 22       94     26 19       60     20 12       46     13 6       24     1 −5 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Korea Meteorological Administration, 2014
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       0.3     37 25       0.7     42 29       0.3     52 39       1.7     62 48       2.9     71 56       2.5     78 67       8.9     83 72       4.8     82 72       3.7     78 66       2.4     68 54       1.8     55 42       1     35 22 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Incheon's climate is similar to Seoul.

Get in

By plane

Incheon International Airport is South Korea's main gateway. The AREX train connects the airport to Gyeyang (20 min), where you can transfer to the Incheon subway line. Alternatively, the limousine bus line (50 min) is always available to go to many places in Incheon, or you can take a taxi (25 min) to get into the city.

By boat

Incheon Port International Ferry Terminal has connections to several cities in China, such as Weihai, Dandong, Qingdao and Tianjin.

The largest operator is now Weidong, but passengers can look at full listings on the port's website (only in Korean). These ferries are similar to miniature cruise lines and provide karaoke rooms, console games, and DVD rentals (private rooms only).

The trip can take as long as 24 hours, so if you have an economy ticket, request a sleeper bunk for a comfortable trip. If they are all taken, however, the only other option for an economy ticket is the sleeping deck where everyone will stay like sardines in a can. Arrive at the terminal 2–3 hours before departure to ensure there is availability for the bunks.

By subway

Kyeong-in line called Metropolitan Line 1 links Seoul to Incheon. The line often provides express trains that skip some minor stops between Dong-incheon station and Yongsan station. By using the express trains passengers can save up to 30 minutes depending on where they go and for the same fare.

• 🌍 Incheon City Hall station

By bus

From various cities in South Korea, there are numerous Intercity Bus routes heading to Incheon. Travellers can book some routes from the Kobus website such as Busan, Daegu and Gwangju.

From Seoul, there are some express bus routes which mainly exist for commuters.

Number	Origin	Destination
1000	Seoul Station	Gyeongnam Honorsbill
1100	Seoul Station	Naho Park
1200	Seoul Station	Miju Bathhouse
1300	Seoul Station	Dongmak Station
1400	Seoul Station	Incheon Terminal
1500	Seoul Station	Lotte Mart

Most of them connect Incheon from Seoul station, Shinchon and Gangnam station. For example, route 1400 links Seoul station, Shinchon, Hongdae and Bupyeong.

Get around

There are several ways to get around Incheon.

By subway

Subway line No.1 and Suin line have connected to Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The subway line passes through many famous places.If you get off the 'Gyeyang station', you can see the Gyeongin Ara Waterway.

By bus

For visitors who want to visit more places in Incheon, local bus lines could be another great option. There are about 2,000 operating buses; therefore, a visitor can go almost everywhere.

Land and water double use bus

In Ara waterway, there are several 'land and water double use buses'. You can stop by and experience them. It takes about 1 hours and you can look around in Ara Waterway. The hours of operation are 11:00-11:30 to 15:30-17:30 on weekdays. On weekends, the hours of operation are from 10:00 to 18:00. The times between departures are 30 minutes or 1 hour.

By taxi

There are a number of taxis on the street, and a taxi can be called under 1577-5588.

See

Arts Centre central square (Rodeo street), Guwol-Dong.

Cultural properties

• 🌍 Taeung-jon Hall, Chondung-sa Temple (전등사 대웅전). This temple is Korea treasure 178 issue. It was appointed in 1963. 
• 🌍 Incheon government office building (인천도호부청사), Namgu-maesohol road 589. It was the first to be declared a tangible cultural property in Incheon. 
• 🌍 Buddhist Sanctuary,Jeong-Su Temple (강화 정수사 법당), Hwado-myeon Sagi-ry 467-3, Gwanghwa. It is the No. 161 national treasure. 
• 🌍 GangHwa Hyanggyo (강화향교). Hyanggyo is the Confucian temple and school to teach local students in the Joseon Dynasty period. 
• 🌍 GangHwa mountain fortress (강화산성), Guk hwa-ri,Ganghwa-eup. It was built in Goryeo period. 
• 🌍 GangHwa Daesan-ry dolmen distant view (강화대산리지석묘원경), 1189,Daesan-ry,Ganghwa-eup. It is appointed in 1995. This cultural property is related to brazen age. 
• 🌍 Seonsu-guard post (선수돈대), 1831, Nae-ry, Hwado-myeon. It was made the Joseon Dynasty period. Also it is one of the guard post in 48 guard post. Nearby are the southern and northern guard posts. 

Other

• 🌍 Arts Centre. An arts and entertainment venue in Guwol-dong (with which it is loosely synonymous). There are several large department stores, cinemas, designer shops, restaurants, and a central square named Rodeo Street. Sporting events are sometimes shown on a screen in the central square. Also, the place has a couple of stadiums for professional baseball and soccer games. 
• 🌍 Chinatown. This is the only official Chinatown in South Korea. Chinatown is full of Chinese restaurants and souvenir shops. Of course, many Chinese people reside there, so Chinese schools are there too. The area is located at the end of Metropolitan Line 1 that directly connects Incheon with Seoul. The main entrance to Chinatown is in front of the Incheon station. The area is very crowded with visitors on weekends, so if you'd like to avoid crowds, go during the week. 
• 🌍 Liberty Park (Jayu park). Liberty Park is next to Chinatown. For most Incheon citizens, the park is well known for General MacArthur's statue and the memorial of the Centennial Anniversary of U.S.-South Korean relations. 
• 🌍 Independence Memorial Hall. This was built to celebrate Korea's independence from Japan. There are a monument of General MacArthur and several other statues that symbolize the country's independence. 
• 🌍 Songdo International City. This is a multi-billion dollar planned city where Korea's tallest building, the North Asia Trade Tower, is located. In addition, the world's tallest twin tower buildings, 151 Incheon Tower, are in the early stage of construction. As part of the Free Economic Zone, Songdo represents the bright future of Incheon. This area is still very much in development, however, and not recommended for visitors. 
• Incheon Islands. There are several islands accessible by ferries. Most islands provide comfortable environments with fresh air and various cuisines that allow visitors to stay away from city life for a while. Also, the islands have great hiking roads and beaches. Here are several islands people can easily visit: Daecheongdo, Yeonpyeongdo, Ganghwado, Yeongjongdo, Muuido, and Deokjeokdo. 
• 🌍 Wolmido. Wolmido was a major harbor in Incheon until Yeonan Budu was developed. However, visitors can still do many things in Wolmido. There is a small park, surrounded by a nature walk road. There are also many seafood restaurants and cafes with a great ocean view. What is more, a small harbor that can bring visitors to several islands is still operating. The most famous place is an amusement park popular with locals. People call Wolmido's pirate ship ride the scariest in the Korea, because the seat belts are loose. However, there are no known safety problems with this ride. 
• 🌍 Incheon Munhak Stadium, 482 munhak-dong, Nam-gu, ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Ara tower (아라타워), Oryu-dong, Seogu. It is tower of Gyeongin Ara canal. 

Do

Munhak Baseball Stadium

• Go to the hot place in Guwol-dong. If you go, you can enjoy the nightlife. It has many delicious restaurants and pubs.
• 🌍 Incheon culture & arts center (인천문화예술회관), 1408 Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, ☎ [phone]. The Incheon Culture & Arts Center has served as the home of culture and the arts in Incheon. 
• 🌍 haughty cat (도도한 고양이), Rodeo Plaza 5th floor 1463-2 Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, ☎ [phone]. It is a pet cat café that you can drink some coffee and enjoy with cats. All beverages: ₩8,000. 
• 🌍 Fairy-tale town (동화마을), Songwol-dong 3-ga, Jung-gu. This town is designed to show like fairy tales. 
• 🌍 G tower, Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu. This tower rises to a height of over 30 meters. It is a great building to see all of Songdo at a glance. 
• 🌍 Central Park, Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu. This park is an ideal place for a walk. 
• 🌍 NCcube Canal Walk, Canal Walk 17-1 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. It is a good place for shopping. It's called Venice in Incheon. 

Movie theaters

There are several movie theaters in Incheon. Big multiplex movie theater chains, such as CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox, are represented in Incheon and show movies of various genres.

• 🌍 CGV Incheon, 4th floor, SEE&SEEE, 1130 Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, ☎ [phone]. 14 screens and 3390 seating capacity. 
• 🌍 CGV Incheon terminal, 15 Gwangyo-dong, Nam-gu, ☎ [phone]. 4 screens and 516 seating capacity. 
• 🌍 CGV Bupyeong, 489, Majang-ro, Bupyeong-gu, ☎ [phone]. 10 screens and 1464 seating capacity. 
• 🌍 Lotte Cinema Incheon, 7th floor, Lotte department store, 1455 Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, ☎ [phone]. 9 screens and 1341 seating capacity. 
• 🌍 Megabox Yeonsu, 106, Beotkkot-ro, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. 9 screens and 1650 of seating capacity 

Eat

Incheon is famed for its Jjolmyeon

In Incheon, there are a large number of quality restaurants but do not expect the staff to be able to speak English.

Bupyeong and Guwol-dong Rodeo Street are two main areas for food and drink. A variety of genres is available. Korean food generally offers a delightful and exciting experience. If someone is not familiar with Korean food, there are also many American and Italian restaurants which could be a safe bet for foreign visitors.

• 🌍 Bupyeong New-York Chinese restaurant (부평 뉴욕반점), ☎ [phone]. It is a very famous Chinese restaurant in Bupyeong. The Sweet and Sour Pork was made with sweet rice. Also, employee directly cut this Sweet and Sour Pork. A course= ₩20,000, B course= ₩25,000, C course= ₩30,000. 
• 🌍 Warmhearted Chicken feet (정든 닭발), ☎ [phone]. It is franchise brand. Many South Korean people like to eat chicken feet. ₩12,000. 
• 🌍 Yeon gyeong white jajang (연경짜장), 5-1,3ga bokseong-dong, jung-gu, ☎ [phone]. This restaurant went on the air lots of times. It is in the Chinatown white jajangmyeon ₩8,000. 
• 🌍 Original Sinpo sweet and sour chicken (원조 신포닭강정), 1-12 Sinpo-dong, Jung-gu, ☎ [phone]. This restaurant serves sweet and sour chicken. The sweet and sour chicken is a thing for which Incheon is famous. 
• 🌍 Samgang Seolleongtang (삼강설렁탕), 95-8 Gyeong-dong, Jung-gu, ☎ [phone]. This restaurant serves seolleongtang. (Seolleongtang is a stock soup of bone and stew meat.) This restaurant boasts of a tradition that goes back 60 years. Seolleongtang: ₩6,000. 
• 🌍 Japanese Bistro (작은식당), Hyundai Hillstate Apt.402 No. 110, 21-60 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. This restaurant serves Japanese food. The pork cutlet with mozzarella cheese is a thing for which Songdo is famous. Set Menu with Pork Cutlet with Mozzarella Cheese: ₩11,000, Set Menu with Pork Cutlet: ₩8,000, Buckwheat Soba Noodles: ₩6,000, Udon: ₩6,000. 
• 🌍 Teru (테루), 107, Art center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. everyday 11:00~22:00. This restaurant serves Japanese food. The cheese fondue pork cutlet is a thing for which Songdo is famous. Cheese fondue pork cutlet: ₩9,900, Triple cheese pork cutlet: ₩8,900, Set menu with soba noodles: ₩7,900, Croquette: ₩1,500. 
• 🌍 Dokyo Panya (도쿄팡야), 194, Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. everyday 10:00~22:00. This is a bakery. This bakery's breads cost more, but they are also more delicious and healthy than other bakeries' breads. 
• 🌍 Sushiway (스시웨이), 232, Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, ☎ [phone]. everyday 11:30~22:00. This restaurant serves Japanese food. It is famous for fresh sushi. 
• 🌍 myeong-dong boiled barley (명동보리밥), 232, 1134, Guwol1-dong, ☎ [phone]. Korea people like to eat boiled barley. If you stop by here, you can eat it. 

Drink

• 🌍 Cuttlefish super, Bupyeong, ☎ [phone]. There are always many people in this shop. And they manage the facebook page 
• 🌍 Cheap Shots, Bupyeong, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su opens at 18:00. A fairly new foreigner-owned bar with weekly trivia nights and other events. Owner Tommy is very friendly and also makes good food. 
• N's pub, Bupyeong. Small but good atmosphere. Very cheap drinks and beer (but no soju); a favorite for both foreigners and Koreans. 
• 🌍 Red Rock chicken, Bupyeong. Many people who go to Bupyeong, they go to this chicken store. It is very popular in Bupyeong. 
• 🌍 The Shine, Bupyeong. A high-class atmosphere for budget prices, The Shine is a traditional bar in that you have to buy anju (안주, appetizer or meal) with your drinks, but the food is quite good. Drinks are reasonably priced and beer can be purchased in towering dispensers which shoot dry ice through a tube and out a chimney on top. 
• 🌍 Korean-style raw beef village, Bupyeong. Many people drink soju or beer in Korea-style raw beef. This store is also popular in Bupyeong. 
• 🌍 Redsun, 153-3, Bupyeong5-dong, ☎ [phone]. Many people drink this place. It has wide size. 
• 🌍 Mad Max, 598-4, Yeonsu2-dong, ☎ [phone]. Western Style bar, serves a good rum & coke. 
• 🌍 Chunnyue Sarang (천년의 사랑), 526-6,ongneyon-dong (Songdo hilltop hotel street.). Korea's original tea & wine, snack. The master's dress is oriental Korea costume and interior is Oriental culture style. ₩5,000 - ₩6,500. 
• 🌍 Woodstock (Bupyeong). The original Woodstock is small (about 2 dozen seats) but is comfy and has nice bartenders. The newly opened second location (also in Bupyeong) is much bigger. 
• 🌍 Liquor Burger, Incheon, Yeonsugu, Yeonsu2dong, 600-1, Third Floor, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 7pm - 3am. This is Yeonsu dong's go-to for beer, burgers and events. The bar is owned by a very friendly American guy and his Korean wife. They have dart leagues, foosball, trivia nights, live music, movie nights and on-demand music videos for free. It's a small neighbourhood, so everyone knows everyone. You'll never go there without seeing a friendly face. Every couple of months they do big events in which they take 40 of the locals on weekend getaways. Great mix of foreigners and Koreans! Drinks from ₩3,000 won. Food from roughly ₩5-₩10,000.. 
• O'Malley's Irish Pub, 1474-3 Guwol-Dong, Namdong-Gu, Incheon, Top Plaza 4th Floor (Across the street from Shinsegae Dept Store, Near Woori Bank), ☎ [phone]. A truly western-style pub/sports bar on the outskirts of the lively "Square" in Guwoldong. They have reasonably priced drinks and great western-style-pub-food (burgers, club sandwich, chicken wings, etc.) Great atmosphere and hang out for mostly westerners but Koreans are usually there, as well. 
• Rio's Western Bar, Guwol-Dong Square (Arts Center). Perhaps the only 'Western-style' bar outside of Bupyeong regularly packed with foreigners. The pub is quite well hidden and therefore tends to attract the same local English teachers rather than wandering tourists. On the 3rd floor in the same building is the massive (and rather infamous) King Kong Hof, also frequented by Westerners on weekends. 
• Goose Goose (Bupyeong). Innocuous enough from the outside, Goose Goose is perhaps the largest and busiest westerner zone in town on a Saturday night. The "pub jukebox" is an open desktop computer running iTunes. Excuse the Canadian's playing Celine Dion. And the Brit obsessed with Adele. 
• Who's Bar (Bupyeong). A cosy western bar great for catching up on English football. The owner is a very friendly young fellow who'll offer a free drink to new ESL teachers. 

Sleep

Hotels

Hotels are gathered in Songdo International City. If you come to city, you don't have to difficult to reserve accommodations.

• 🌍 Sheraton Hotel, Yeonsugu Convensia Road 153 (In Songdo international city), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Oakwood Hotel, Yeonsugu Convensia Road road 165 (In Songdo international city), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Central park Hotel, Yeonsugu songdo-dong 38, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. It is in Songdo international city and comprises two buildings (one is a hotel and the other is a residence). 
• 🌍 Gyeongwonjae ambassador Hotel, Yeonsugu technopark-road 200, ☎ [phone]. It is in Songdo international city and it was made in a traditional Korean style named '한옥'. 
• 🌍 Holiday inn Incheon songdo Hotel, Yeonsugu tower-road 251, ☎ [phone]. It is in Songdo international city and is near Posco Engineering & Construction Building. 
• 🌍 Orakai songdo park-Hotel, Yeonsugu technopark-road 151, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. It is in Songdo international city and is near Songdo Central Park Hotel. 
• 🌍 Ramada-songdo Hotel, Yeonsugu dongchun 1 dong 812, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Resort

These resorts are not far from Incheon International Airport.

• 🌍 W5 resort, Ongjin-gun, yeongheung-myeon, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. US$87-190 according to room size and day of the week. 
• 🌍 Yeong-heung resort, Wae Ry, Ongjin-gun, yeongheung-myeon, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Woosung resort, Nae-ry 724-132,Ongjin-gun,yeongheung-myeon, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The price is varies according to the type of room. The base type of A is US$68 on weekdays, $85 on weekends and $110 in peak season. 
• 🌍 Young Jong Sky resort, yongyuseoro 379,Jong-gu, ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Seonjae-do landscape resort, Seonjae-ro 306 31-99,Ongjin-gun,yeongheung-myeon, ☎ [phone]. The price is varies according to the size of the room. The 11 pyeong rooms' price is US$85 on weekdays, $110 on Friday and Saturday. In peak season, the rated are $127 weekday and $144 weekend. 

Pensions

In South Korea, the word for a boarding house where three meals a day are provided along with your room is "pension". There are 1,635 pensions around Incheon according to a 'Naver page', including the following:

• 🌍 IRIS pension (아이리스 펜션) (Yeongheungdo Island), ☎ +070 4141 6844. 
• 🌍 Summer Aroma pension, Hwado-myeon,Ganghwa-gun, ☎ +032 937 8938. 
• 🌍 Nouelbada pension, yeongheung-myeon,ongjin-gun, ☎ +032 885 1141. 
• 🌍 Largo Ville, Hwado-myeon,Ganghwa-gun sea side road 2845 25, ☎ +032 555 8868, e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Rothem House, Dongmak-ry,Hwado-myeon,Ganghwa-gun, ☎ +032 937 0678. 
• 🌍 Galileeps pension, Dongmak-ry 64-4,Hwado-myeon,Ganghwa-gun, e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Badasory, Nae-ry 2140,Hwado-myeon,Ganghwa-gun, e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Guest houseS

There are 39 guest houses according to a 'Naver page', including the following:

• 🌍 Edel Guesthouse (에델 게스트하우스), 3109-37 Unseo-dong, Jung-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Opened in December 2015. It is close to Lotte Mart and Unseo Station Exit 2, which is also the next station to the airport. ₩20,000-₩100,000. 
• 🌍 Incheon airport guest house, Gonghang-ro 424 50, jung-gu, e-mail: [e-mail]. US$43-78. 
• 🌍 Good time guest house, Jungsan-dong Hanra-vivaldi 923 dong, jung-gu, ☎ + 070 4117 7025. 
• 🌍 Koreamie guest house, woon nam-dong 448-1,jung-gu, ☎ +032 747 0366, e-mail: [e-mail]. US$43-216 according to room size. 
• 🌍 World guest house, woon seo-dong 2850-3,jung-gu, ☎ +032 743 2882, e-mail: [e-mail]. US$43-8. 
• 🌍 Equu guest house, 367, Cheongracanal-ro Seo-gu, e-mail: [e-mail]. US$43-130. 
• 🌍 New guest house, 424-72, Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu. 
• 🌍 Welcome guest house, 424-72, Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, ☎ + 032 743 7711, e-mail: [e-mail]. US$43-78. 

Stay safe

Go next

• Jump on the metro to Seoul
• Take the ferry to China

Routes through Incheon

END ←	W  E	→ Yongsan → Seoul
END ←	W  SE	→ Suwon → Cheonan