A One Day Incheon Itinerary: From Chinatown to Fairytales

Do you want to make the most of a daytrip to Incheon? If you’re looking for a packed Incheon itinerary so you can eat until your belly is content, find plenty to take pictures of, and have some fun, then this is it. Incheon, Korea has a lot to do and Incheon is actually a lot more than just the Incheon International Airport, so don’t be confused. For this itinerary in Incheon, we’re headed to the popular Jung-gu district home to the only official Chinatown in Korea, the Songwol-dong Fairytale Village and more! 

Here’s what to go on a daytrip to Jung-gu, Incheon, Korea:

• Songwol-dong Fairytale Village (송월동 동화마을)
• Incheon Chinatown (인천 차이나타운)
• Incheon Art Platform (인천아트플랫폼)
• Sinpo International Market (신포국제시장)
• Wolmi Island (월미도) & Theme Park (월미테마파크)

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Songwol-dong Fairytale Village (송월동 동화마을)

When things start to get old and run-down in Korea, they’re either torn down and something new is built, or someone has a bright idea to remodel it. Luckily for the Songwol-dong area, remodeling was the idea. This run down neighborhood was given new life when the houses were revived with vibrant colors and fairy tale character decorations. There isn’t a nook or cranny that isn’t painted some bright color or with some smiling character.

Alice in Wonderland is sliding down a building to jump out to catch the white rabbit and Rapunzel’s hair is draped nonchalantly down the side of a “castle”. See these characters amidst cherry blossom flowers in the spring. Characters from western fairy tales and Korean fairy tales alike are everywhere you turn making for some fun photo-ops. 

This is a fun way to start out a day in Incheon and only takes about an hour to cover. If you want to visit some of the similarly decorated villages in Seoul, check out Ihwa Mural Village or Mullae-dong.

• Address: 38 Donghwamaeul-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 중구 동화마을길 38 (송월동3가) 일대)
• Directions: Take Seoul subway line 1 out to Incheon Station and take Exit 1 (the only exit available). Across the street, you’ll see the entrance to China Town. Head through the China Town gate and walk up until it dead ends and turn left. On this road you’ll see the Fairy Tale Village welcome archway and clearly see where all of the vibrant colorful buildings and paintings begin.
• Time Needed: 1 hour

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Incheon Chinatown (인천 차이나타운)

Opening in the Incheon Port area in 1883 and becoming an extraterritoriality of the Ching Dynasty the following year, this neighborhood is now home to the 2nd and 3rd generation Chinese residents who are descendants of early Chinese settlers. The iconic red Chinese decor is everywhere you look from hanging lanterns to doorways but the area is most famous for the Chinese-Korean fusion dish known as jajangmyeon, or black noodles.

The original building that served up the dish is now a Jajangmyeon Museum, an easy and interesting short stop to learn about the history of the dish in Korea and while this dish is popular here and loads of restaurants are selling it, the good restaurants also have lines hours, yes with an “s”, long. Instead of eating the dish here, I would recommend partaking in the numerous but oh so delicious street foods in the area. From lamb skewers to mooncakes, Chinese dumplings and more, there is so much to eat on the streets, you wouldn’t want to wait hours for one dish of jajangmyeon anyway.

For more info on what to see, what to eat, and where to go, check out this guide to Chinatown in Incheon.

• China Town Address: Seollin-dong / Bukseong-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 선린동 , 북성동 일대)
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours
• Directions: From the Fairy Tale Village, head back into China Town the way you came and be sure to walk up and down and all around to see everything.

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Incheon Art Platform (인천아트플랫폼)

This complex of buildings is a collection of remodeled buildings from the 1930s and 1940s. They have been artistically decorated and revamped to house artist studios, a library, an exhibition and performance halls. The complex is free to walk along (galleries and experience programs may warrant a fee) and we found it fun to see what history looked like in Korean architecture with some brightly colored artistic touches here and there too. There are also museums housed in some of the older buildings which require a small fee to enter. Never hurts to open a door and see what you can see though.

• Address: 3 Jemullyang-ro 218beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 제물량로218번길 3)
• Directions: While the Fairy Tale Village was just north of China Town, the Incheon Art Plaza is just south, so you’ll walk away from the Fairy Tale Village to get there. If you head back to the China Town main gate and then turn left and walk around the  main road, you’ll come to the platform easily.
• Time Needed: 30 minutes to an hour depending how many buildings you want to pop into. If there’s an event, you could easily spend longer here.

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Sinpo International Market (신포국제시장)

Sinpo Market dates back to the 19th century when vendors began selling to the settlers from Japan, China and other western countries. Officially registered in 1970, there are now 140 vendors serving up both traditional and modern Korean dishes. One popular dish in the market is dakganjang, or a crispy chicken dipped in a chili and sweet sauce. Visitors hoping to get this dish may expect to wait up to 30 minutes to dig in, but it’s worth it. Get a bite to eat here and then head on for some fun. Bustling traditional markets should always be in your Korean itinerary if you ask me.

• Address: 11-5, Uhyeon-ro 49beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 중구 우현로49번길 11-5 (신포동))
• Directions: From the Incheon Art Platform, you’ll continue walking away from China Town. The market is just down the main road and follow it as it turns slightly left and you’ll see the entrance. You might also see signs for Sinpo Market Subway Station. You’d want to follow exit 4 out if you find that station.
• Time Needed: 1-2 hours

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Wolmido Island (월미도) & Theme Park (월미테마파크)

At this point, you’ve looped back down to Incheon Subway Station. You could go home if that was enough for you, but if you want to continue on for some more fun, head out to Wolmido Island via the Wolmi Sea Train. From the train windows, you’ll be able to see the largest mural in the world! The first stop from the Wolmi Sea Train is land that was redeveloped from military barracks grounds in 2001.

The development opened up the area to welcome tourists and provide locals with a relaxing natural park to spend the day in. From a traditional garden area with curated plots of land to a glass observatory and deer to feed from your hand, this park is a great place to take a rest outdoors before heading to the vibrant and loud Wolmi Theme Park. 

Formerly known as “My Land”, Wolmi Theme Park opened in 1992 and has various rides like the Hyper Shoot Drop, Tagada Disco, a Viking Ship, Ferris Wheel and more. The park became a bit more famous after it was used as a filming location for the shows “We Got Married”, “Two Days and One Night”, “Running Man” and a few more so expect some crowds. This theme park also has a large indoor children’s playground with water activities and other facilities so adults and children alike can enjoy the pier area.

• Address: 6 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 월미로 6)
• Directions: Go to Incheon Subway Station and outside of exit 1 turn right to find the building just next to the subway station.
• Hours: April – October: Friday – Sunday & Holidays: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm; Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – March: Every day: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Days: Closed Mondays
  • With your ticket, you can get on and off at the stations on the loop. You don’t have to just circle around. Feel free to disembark and re-embark.Admission: Adults: W8,000; Youth (13-18): W6,000; Children: W5,000
• Website: Wolmi Sea Train

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A one day itinerary for Incheon:

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This is just one area of Incheon, Korea with so much to see. If you’re looking for more things to do in Incheon, be sure to plan another day out to visit Songdo Central Park to see some stunning architecture and don’t miss all the sights to see AROUND the Incheon International Airport. And if you want the best sunset spot, stop into the GTower to watch the colors change from high above the ground.

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