Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Yongheunggung Palace is where King Cheoljong (a Joseon Dynasty ruler who reigned from 1849 to 1863) used to live before his ascension to throne. The chief of Ganghwa County, Jeong Gi-se, enlarged the original residence and named it Yongheunggung (meaning palace of the rising dragon) in the 4th year of King Cheoljong’s reign. Its architectural features include a paljak (Korean traditional half-hipped roof) and supporting columns rendered in Jusimpo style, the column brackets placed only on top of the columns. The palace was built in the tradition of dwelling houses such as the Yeongyeongdang and Nakseonjae houses in Changdeokgung Palace, so the palace buildings give off a simple and plain atmosphere. Within the precincts of the palace are a memorial stone and a monument house indicating that the palace used to be the old home of King Cheoljong.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Gwangseongbo Fortress’s outer wall from the Goryeo era was mended in 1618. The fortress was built in 1656 and the outpost was constructed in 1679. It was completely remodeled into a masonry castle with gates in 1745. During Sinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871), Gwangseongbo was the fiercest battle ground in Ganghwa. On April 24, 1871, a fleet with 1,230 American naval forces led by Rear Admiral John Rodgers landed on Ganghwado Island to demand the opening of Korea's ports and commerce. The armed forces attacked Chojijin Fortress and Deokjinjin Camp, then marched to Gwangseongbo Fortress, where they engaged in close combat with the warriors of Joseon. Although General Eo Jae-yeon and the other warriors were poorly equipped with far inferior weapons, they bravely fought to the death against the invading forces.The battlefield ruins of the fortress and the gate towers such as Anhaeru, Gwangseongdon, Sondolmokdon, and Yongdudon were repaired in 1977. The twin tombs of General Eo Jae-Yeon and his brother Eo Jae-seon, along with the anonymous tombs of warriors who died on the battlefield were also honorably arranged at the same time. Furthermore, a stone monument commemorating the restoration of Ganghwa Battlefield was erected on Yongdudondae Post.In 1988, an extensive rest area was created toward the shore for visitors’ convenience. Gwangseongbo Fortress is presently designated as Historical Relic No. 227. A religious service known as Gwangseongje is held annually to commemorate the patriotic spirits of General Eo Jae-yeon and other unnamed warriors. This service takes place at 11 a.m. on every April 24th of the lunar calendar.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Ganghwa's mud flats cover about 105㎢, including notable areas in the southwest such as Yeocha-ri, Dongmak-ri, and Donggeom-ri. These three locations are a maximum of 6km from land and have an area of 90㎢ that accounts for 86% of Ganghwa's entire mud flats area.Ganghwado Island is the path to the river mouth of the Hangang River, Yeseonggang River and Imjingang River, so sediment moved from the rivers piles up and reaches far distances during low tide and the materials again settle around the island as the tide rises.Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center is a prime location for observing migratory birds and the surrounding mud flats. The center offers visitors access to an array of information about mud flats and first-hand experience with tidal flats.


Incheon(Yeonsu-gu)

Located at the center of international business district within Songdo International City, Songdo Central Park was designed to reuse rainwater effectively and reduce heat island effect as much as possible. It is also the first city in Korea to make a lakeside park using seawater. Visitors can enjoy a water taxi ride on the man-made waterway, take a stroll along the promenades or various themed meadows around.


Incheon(Namdong-gu) , Incheon Center

The Sorae Ecology Park was once a facility used to produce salt until 1996. It wasn’t until 2009 that it became a park, restoring the mud flat, tidal channel, and making the closed salt field a ecological habitat for various marine life and migratory birds. The Sorae Ecology Park also provides a history to the facility and houses a Nature Learning Center, where visitors can experience sea salt production and learn more about the various wildlife and plants living in the marsh.


Incheon(Namdong-gu) , Incheon Center

Experience Incheon Effortlessly and Conveniently—Utilize the Incheon Tourist Information Centers! One of the best ways to ensure a smooth, comfortable trip to Incheon is to make use of the city’s Tourist Information Centers. Incheon operates ten such centers throughout the city, providing travelers with all the essential information and services they need. These centers offer multilingual guides and brochures in Japanese, Korean, English, and Chinese, breaking down language barriers so you can easily access the information you’re looking for. The Tourist Information Center at Incheon International Airport is open year-round from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it especially convenient. Other locations operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed during major Korean holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok). At each center, friendly staff provide in-depth explanations of popular attractions tailored to international visitors. Stop by any Tourist Information Center when you visit Incheon to get the latest updates on must-see spots and a variety of services that will help make your trip even more enjoyable. You can get personalized information on cultural experiences, historical landmarks, shopping destinations, and dining recommendations—whatever suits your interests. This wealth of resources makes planning your itinerary easier and your time in Incheon more memorable. On your next trip, make sure to drop by an Incheon Tourist Information Center. Accessing valuable information and services there is key to a convenient and fun-filled experience. Dive into Incheon’s charm and create unforgettable memories—your journey starts right here! Leverage the resources and expertise of the Incheon Tourist Information Centers to enjoy a stress-free adventure. Begin your exploration and discover everything Incheon has to offer!


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

First established in Ganghwa-eup during the 5th year of King Injong in the Goryeo Dynasty (1127), Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School was moved to Ganghwa-gun and then restored at the foot of Buksan Mountain (formally Songaksan Mountain) in 1624 by Sim Yeol during the 2nd year of King Injo. Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School is regarded as an important cultural and historical site in Ganghwa-eup.


Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Since opening on October 25, 2002, the Nokcheongja Museum has been running ceramic classes for visitors and offering academic data about the Green Celadon Kiln Site in Incheon (Historic Site No. 211). The excavation work for the Green Celadon Kiln Site in Incheon was conducted on four separate occasions from December 1965 to May 1966 by joint research teams of the National Museum of Korea and Incheon Metropolitan City Museum. The celadon fired in this kiln has a dark green or brownish green glaze with an uneven surface. The Green Celadon Kiln Site was the first cultural property in this area to be designated as a Historic Site (designated on May 1970).


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Explore Incheon with Ease and Convenience: Visit the Incheon Tourist Information Centers! If you're planning a trip to Incheon, one of the best ways to make your visit smooth and enjoyable is by utilizing the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Incheon city operates a total of 10 tourist information centers strategically located across the city to cater to the needs of travelers. These centers offer a wide range of services and materials to help you navigate the city and make the most of your visit. You can find travel guides and brochures in multiple languages, including English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, ensuring that language barriers are minimized. The tourist information center at Incheon International Airport is particularly convenient for travelers, as it is open year-round, from 7 AM to 10 PM. This means you can get the help you need as soon as you land or just before you depart. The other tourist information centers in Incheon generally operate from 9 AM to 6 PM, except on major Korean holidays such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), ensuring that you have access to assistance during most of the year. At each of these centers, friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to provide detailed explanations about the best attractions, dining options, and activities suited to your interests. They can help you plan your itinerary, find transportation, and even recommend hidden gems that you might not find in typical travel guides. Visiting the Incheon Tourist Information Centers can significantly enhance your travel experience by providing you with the latest updates on must-see spots and essential services. Whether you're looking for cultural experiences, historical sites, shopping destinations, or dining recommendations, these centers are your go-to resource. So, when you visit Incheon, don't forget to stop by one of the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Not only will you get valuable information and services, but you'll also ensure a more convenient and enjoyable trip. With their help, navigating Incheon becomes a breeze, allowing you to focus on creating memorable experiences in this vibrant city. Make your Incheon adventure hassle-free by taking advantage of the resources and expertise offered at the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Your journey to discovering all that Incheon has to offer starts here!


Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway. Island History Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.