Incheon is a major port city and transport hub just 28 km west of Seoul. Considered the gateway to other important cities in the country, Incheon shot to fame with the building of the new Incheon International Airport on Yeongjong Island.

The airport has helped locate Korea easily on the world travel map and is partly responsible for the city’s reputation as a transportation centre.

A number of tiny islands pepper the coast - some of them are still uninhabited and fun to visit. Though Incheon is a developed city, many of its residents still travel to Seoul for work each day. The city gets commerce from the people of Seoul who seek Incheon’s greener pastures and laidback lifestyle or come for some weekend frolic at the islands. Besides trade, the city is a producer of automobiles, furniture, glass and steel.

Incheon has had an outstanding maritime past. The city shot to prominence as a trading port with China, and soon developed as the major port of call for French, German and American vessels in the 19 th century. During the Korean War, the town became famous as the spot for the strategic MacArthur landing in 1950.

Football was first introduced to Korea by the British seamen at Incheon in 1882. Continuing the footer tradition, Incheon has constructed a massive stadium and has further spruced up transport connections between the city centre and Seoul. The Incheon Munhak Stadium has a seating capacity of over 52,000. The stadium is located at San 8 Munhak-dong, Nam-gu, a five minute’s walk from the Munhak Stadium Station; 40 minutes by road from Incheon International Airport; and 60 minutes by bus from Gimpo Airport.

Incheon is not only a city of trade, it has a number of tourist attractions - temples, museums, parks, markets, cultural centres and eating places. The Wolmido area near the station has some great seafood and Chinese eating places where you can indulge yourself and experiment with local cuisine. The waterfront is packed with entertainment opportunities and an amphitheatre where regular cultural performances take place.

The Jeondeungsa is a 1600 year old Buddhist temple within the historical Samnang-Seong fortress. The temple has an ornately sculpted main hall, splendid paintings, murals and an ornamental iron bell that was made in a Chinese temple and is considered a Korean treasure. In the courtyard grows a 600 year old gingko tree that bears no fruit - a grim warning to the greedy, according to popular legend.

Other sights to visit are the Incheon Dohobucheongsa, built in the 17 th century as a magistrate’s office, and the Incheon Hyanggyo, an old Confucian school. Both the buildings have a display of dolls evocative of the Joseon dynasty.

The Hwadojin Park was originally a fortress built to commemorate the signing of the Amity and Trade Treaty between Korea and the US, Britain and Germany in 1882. The park has an exhibition hall with historical and cultural relics of the period. The Jayu Park, also called the freedom park, is a beautifully landscaped garden with pretty cherry blossoms and a spectacular view of the harbour and Wolmido Island. The statue of General MacArthur and the centenary tower occupy pride of place in the park.

Incheon’s Chinatown started as a thriving commercial area where Korea and China traded in silk, celadon and medicinal herbs. Chinatown’s popularity continues, both as a shopping centre and for its Chinese restaurants. Ganghwa market on Kanghwa Island is a large market that specializes in ginseng and mats made of rushes. It follows a unique system of being open only on days ending in the number 2 or 7!

There are a number of exciting beaches, especially on the islands off the coast, which have pretty promenades and parks. Yeongjong Island is Incheon’s fast-moving side, especially after the new Incheon International Airport was built here. Close by is Ulwangli Beach on the dragon-shaped Yongyu Island, a lovely stretch of sugary sand and all the beach-resort facilities you could ask for. Fishing and swimming are wonderful at Wangsan, while Mashiran is new but still secluded.

Getting there: Incheon is 28 km west of Seoul and well connected to the capital by the KNR line subway and expressways. Almost every international airline flies to Incheon International Airport on Yeongjang Island. The Korea City Air Terminal in the World Trade Centre at Seoul has a limousine bus service to Incheon Airport. Ferry lines connect the city to the Chinese mainland and to other ports in Korea.

Accommodation: Incheon has a range of accommodation options from simple motels to luxury hotels and beach resorts. For the budget traveller, motels, inns, homestays, campsites and youth hostels are available

For detailed country & visitor information, see South Korea.