Almost everyone who comes to Korea lands in Incheon. Almost no one stays to explore it. That’s a mistake — and one we made on our first trip before rectifying on our second. Incheon is an underrated city with a character entirely distinct from Seoul: a former treaty port with a colonial street grid, Korea’s only authentic Chinatown, a harbor island with amusement rides and fresh seafood, and to the south, one of the most ambitious urban planning experiments on the planet.
We spent an afternoon getting properly lost in the narrow lanes behind Chinatown before finding a jajangmyeon (black bean noodle) restaurant that had been in the same family for four generations. On a different visit, we had dinner in Songdo with the Central Park canal reflecting the lights of glass towers — it felt like eating in a science fiction film.
Getting Around Incheon
From Seoul, take Metro Line 1 to either Dongincheon Station (for Chinatown and Wolmido) or Incheon Station. Journey time is 45-60 minutes from Seoul City Hall. Within Incheon, buses cover most areas; taxis are cheap. Songdo is served by the Incheon Metro Line 1 (separate from Seoul Metro Line 1).
Things to Do in Incheon
Incheon Chinatown is the most authentic Chinatown in Korea — built after the 1882 Joseon-Qing trade agreement brought a wave of Chinese merchants to the port city. The main street is lined with Chinese restaurants, herb shops, and red lanterns. The area borders the Japanese colonial district (turn left at the gate) — a fascinating contrast of two foreign presences in the same neighborhood. Best for wandering and eating. Free entry.
Jayu Park — Korea’s first Western-style public park, built in 1888 on a hill above the port. The MacArthur statue commemorates the general’s 1950 Incheon Landing, which turned the tide of the Korean War. Views over the harbor and Wolmido Island. Free.
Wolmido Island is a small entertainment island connected to Incheon by a causeway. It has a modest amusement park (rides from ₩3,000), but the main draw is the seafood restaurant row along the harbor. Fresh crabs, shellfish, and raw fish at prices 30-40% lower than comparable Seoul restaurants. Best for a casual evening meal.
Songdo International Business District — Take Metro Line 1 (Incheon) south to Technopark Station. The purpose-built district has a proper Central Park (with a canal gondola service), the Tri-Bowl cultural center shaped like three connected bowls, and an observation deck on the G-Tower. It’s a vision of future urbanism that’s either inspiring or unsettling depending on your perspective. Worth 2-3 hours.
Open Port Modern Architecture Trail — Incheon was forcibly opened to foreign trade in 1883, and the surrounding neighborhood retains significant colonial-era architecture. A walking map from the Incheon Chinatown Visitor Center guides you through Japanese, Chinese, and Western-influenced buildings within a 1km radius.
Where to Eat in Incheon
Jjajangmyeon in Chinatown — Incheon is the birthplace of Korean-Chinese jjajangmyeon (black bean noodle sauce). The sauce was adapted from a Chinese dish by Cantonese immigrants and became the comfort food of modern Korea. Eat it at one of the old-guard Chinatown restaurants. ₩8,000-10,000/bowl.
Incheon Seafood — Sinpo International Market — Near Dongchun Station, this market has raw crab marinated in soy sauce (ganjang gejang), steamed shellfish, and local banchan. ₩10,000-25,000/portion.
Wolmido Seafood Row — Fresh crab, clams, sea cucumber, and fish from vendors competing for your business along the harbor. Pick your ingredients from the tank and negotiate the preparation fee. Very casual, very good. ₩15,000-40,000/person.
Where to Stay in Incheon
Grand Hyatt Incheon (Luxury) — ₩250,000+/night. Directly connected to the airport via a covered walkway. Ideal for layovers or early morning departures. Full resort facilities.
Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo (Mid-range) — ₩120,000-150,000/night. Best base for exploring Songdo; nearby Central Park. Modern rooms with city views.
Incheon Airport Transit Hotel (Practical) — ₩80,000 for 6 hours. For connecting travelers who don’t want to leave the transit zone. Basic but functional.
Scott’s Pro Tips for Incheon
1. Logistics & Getting There: If arriving from overseas, you’re already in Incheon. Explore the city before or after your Seoul time — it adds a day without extra transport complexity. From Seoul, Line 1 metro (blue line) runs all the way to Incheon Station with no transfer needed.
2. Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October for pleasant port-city weather. Incheon’s harbor area is windier than Seoul in winter. The Chinatown area has a Chinese New Year celebration worth attending if your timing aligns (January-February).
3. Getting Around: Metro Line 1 (Seoul/Incheon shared) covers Chinatown area. The Incheon Metro (separate system) serves Songdo. Buses cover Wolmido. Taxis are inexpensive within the city.
4. Money & ATMs: Global ATMs at all convenience stores throughout the city. The airport has international currency exchange with competitive rates. Keep cash for Wolmido seafood vendors and Chinatown herb shops.
5. Safety & Health: Incheon is safe. For medical emergencies, Inha University Hospital is the largest facility in the city (+82-32-890-2114). The airport has a medical clinic in the arrivals area.
6. Packing Essentials: Comfortable shoes for the Chinatown/Jayu Park/colonial quarter walking circuit. Windbreaker for the harbor area (coastal wind is real). Camera — the colonial architecture and Chinatown gates are photogenic.
7. Local Culture & Etiquette: Incheon’s Chinatown community has preserved its cultural identity for 140 years — visitors who show interest in the history (asking about the noodle shop’s history, the temple at the end of the street) are warmly received. The Incheon people are generally known for being slightly more relaxed than Seoulites.