Incheon (인천)

A One Day Guide To Incheon: Moraenae Market To GTower Sunsets

When people think of Incheon, Korea, generally they think of Incheon International Airport and that’s it. There’s actually a lot more to do in Incheon than people might realize. The island around Incheon International Airport as way more to do than people take advantage of but, Incheon is a lot larger than that too. Probably the most popular places in Incheon to go are Chinatown and Wolmido Island, and yet there’s more. If you’re looking for some more things to do in Incheon, then you’ve come to the right place. From markets to sunsets and where to get the views, here are three other things to see in Incheon, Korea.

Moraenae Market, Namdong-gi, Incheon, Korea: Korean side dishes

Ready to see more of Incheon? Stop into these three places:

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Moraenae Market (모래내시장)

This outdoor traditional market was opened in 1982 in Namdong-gu and like most traditional markets, is the place to head in order to support local vendors and locally made products. There are the requisite fish and meat vendors alongside the vegetable and fruit vendors that the locals visit to get their weekly groceries. There are the Korean side dish vendors that are always appealing to me just for the colors and numerous Korean food fixins they prepare as well. Did you know most side dish vendors will also let you taste test their dishes if you ask politely?

Moraenae Market, Namdong-gi, Incheon, Korea: Korean side dishes

Moraenae Market is trying to up the ante when it comes to tourism so the vendors here are especially welcoming to visitors and hope that everyone has a great visit to their neck of the woods. If you want to plan your own Incheon trip and get around on your own, check out the Incheon Hop On/ Hop Off bus. It stops at all the big Incheon spots that you must see and makes getting around super easy.

Even if you’re not trying to buy groceries to take home, traditional markets are still the best places to go to get delicious budget friendly food in Korea. There are some scrumptious treats in this market including a vendor with a rather substantial variety of the common and uncommon kimbabs (rice rolls). There’s a vendor selling some uber popular sticky rice donuts. There are also fish cakes on sticks, spicy chicken skewers and some other delicious oft found market fare, too. There’s definitely something for everyone. As a tourist, I would say the best time spent in the market would be stall hopping and eating.

  • Address: 1264 Guwol 4-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 남동구 구월4동 1264)
  • Directions: The Seoul subway system also services Incheon. Moraenae Market Subway Station is on the orange Incheon Line 2. Go out of exit 3 and walk to the second street and turn right. There is a sign over the street with Moraenae Market so it can’t be missed. This street will lead into the market.

Sudoguksan Museum of Housing and Living (수도국산달동네박물관)

This museum isn’t large so it makes for an easy stop off for an hour or so. Located in Songhyun Park, the area is a great place to take a walk and enjoy some of the local Hanok houses that are still in use. The museum itself is dedicated to the days of yore and learning about the life of citizens living in a “daldongne” or a moon village, though that is a much more romantic translation for the impoverished hillside neighborhoods that they are. Having visited a living daldongne some years ago in Seoul that had been the spot for some street art beautification, I found it especially intriguing to see how they used to be. The exhibits showcase a barbershop, a corner store, restrooms and homes straight out of Korea in the 1960s and 1970s. There is even a room where visitors can try on historical school uniforms for a photo-op.

It’s an interesting spot to learn more about the trying times of Korea’s past and to see how the residents of moon villages, which still exist in some areas, live and support each other. This stop is also quite kid friendly and would be a great learning location for children tagging along as well.

  • Address: 51 Solbit-ro Dong-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 동구 솔빛로 51 (송현동))
  • Days: Tuesdays ~ Sundays; Closed New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year Holiday (Seollal), and Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok)
  • Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm (final admission allowed 30 minutes prior to closing)
  • Admission: Adults: W500; Students: W300; Children: W200 (Seniors over 65 and infants under 4 and handicapped visitors are all free)
  • Amenities: parking, bathrooms

GTower (G타워)

Next up on our daytrip in Incheon, we headed to GTower to watch as the sun set over Incheon Bridge. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy so the sunset wasn’t as beautiful as it could have been from the top floor, but it provided some beautiful views anyway. The iconic bridge could still be seen and the planes coming in over the clouds really could take your breath away.

GTower, Incheon, Korea: Sunset ViewGTower, Incheon, Korea: Sunset View

  • Address: 24-4 Songdo-dong Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 연수구 송도동 24-4)
  • Directions: By subway: Central Park Subway Station, exit 3. Make a u-turn out of the station and then walk about a block back. Look up to see the tall building with GTower on the top.
  • Hours: Weekdays: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm; Weekends: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm

Incheon city west of Seoul is a fun and easy spot to get away to from Seoul and there is a lot to see. Incheon has the only China Town in the country and is where the famous jjajamyeong dish (or black noodles) were created. Not only can you visit China Town, but you should also visit Fairytale Village which is in the same block. Also out in Incheon is the stunning Tri-Bowl, an architectural wonder that you just need to see in person to understand. Play on the man-made lake for the day in Central Park and then you can actually visit the GTower from this post too because there in the same local. Check out these posts for more information on what I just mentioned and have all the fun!

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16 Comments

  • Cynthia Williamston

    I love the idea of a self sustaining economy, and love that they want to give tourists an authentic Icheon experience. With the improvements that you suggest I am certain that they will do very well.

  • Sarah Kim

    I’d love to go on this tour because I went to Korea and didn’t know how to communicate so well because of the language. I like that you mentioned that it was a bit too jam packed ’cause it’s always good to have a well-rounded view.

  • Cori Carl

    This looks really neat! I love visiting markets and a housing museum is something I’d absolutely have to see.

    Yesterday when I asked someone to repeat themselves they actually rolled their eyes, sighed, and then repeated themselves in perfect English. So going to a place where people are happy about the tourism industry sounds pretty good to me right now!

  • Sandy N Vyjay

    Stall hopping and shopping, there is nothing to detest about it. The bridge and sunset pictures are enchanting.
    After all that roaming around in a day, I could very well say that the day spent in Incheon was well spent.

  • The Travel Ninjas

    Incheon looks so fun and beautiful. I love Korean food and would love to try it a big local market. Play planet sounds cool too. I’ll have to check it out.

  • Shelley @Travel-Stained

    I like your honest review of this platform. There are a lot of these “tour around with a local” offerings around, and it just seems so hit and miss to me. What if you end up with a local that has no idea what they’re talking about? I really must get out to Incheon though one day to explore…been here almost 8 years, and still haven’t made it out there! Shame.

    • Hallie

      No kidding. I told Jae-oo we need to go back out to see China town and the Fairytale Street Art Road. There’s a few things that I think a baby would be into with me. Maybe we can go out together!

      • Shelley @Travel-Stained

        That sounds perfect! I’ve been wanting some proper Chinese for awhile now. And Naia needs more play dates… poor girls so starved for interaction she stacks other kids on the streets ?

      • Hallie

        Are you sure? Is your babe not registered here? I thought she was… I remember we talked about your visas. Maybe I’m confused. Koreans. Multicultural families and some other groups that pay into the healthcare system get it too. You should check at your dong office to see. If you’re getting the monthly subsidy now then it just changes so the subsidy goes toward the child care instead of to you.

      • Shelley @Travel-Stained

        We don’t get the monthly subsidy either… I’m considered a foreigner even though I’m Korean. Wait, what? Seriously the system here is so backwards in so many ways… ??????

  • Krysten

    This platform seems super cool! I would love to go somewhere and experience things that I normally wouldn’t get to. Your experience looks really cool, too! I would have loved to be there.

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