Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge connects the mainland of Incheon with Yeongjongdo Island that is home to the Incheon International Airport. Until the construction of this bridge, the only way to get to and from Yeongjongdo Island had been by boat. The 4.4 kilometer-long Yeongjong Bridge is the world’s first 3-dimensional self-anchored suspension bridge. The bridge carries both highways and rail lines on its decks, and 10,000-ton ships can pass under the bridge. The bridge was designed to withstand strong winds and earthquake.It is the first bridge in Korea to have been completed through private capital inducement project. In addition to its function as a bridge, it is also an architectural beauty as the shape of the cable and the girder was designed to symbolize the eaves of the traditional Korean tile-roofed house. In 2002, Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge won the Tanaka Award by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for the first time in Korea.


Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Yeonpyeongdo Island is a small island resided by fishing communities. Despite the tragic incident of November 2010 shelling from North Korea, this bucolic island offers many natural and cultural attractions. Island History The earliest known history of Socheongdo Island comes from Chungmin-sa Temple, which was built to commemorate the island's once abundant but now extinct fish species called Yellow corbina (Sciaenidae). This fish was related to the family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. When the economy flourished thanks to profitable fishing, the Socheongdo port was congested with fishing boats, so much that it was said that one could cross from one island to the next by walking over boats. The species of fish is depleted, and the island remains as quiet with views of North Korea. In November 2010, Socheongdo Island was hit by the fatal shelling from North Korea that killed two civilians and two soldiers. In recent months, the island has made an attempt to recover its tourism industry and to develop security tourism by blending its newer military presence at tourist attractions.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Completed in May 2007, Oktokki Space Center houses a space theme park that combines education, exploration, and recreation. The center is divided into two sections: an indoor exhibition hall and an outdoor exhibition hall. The wide-range of exhibits and interactive facilities provide an educational experience for children and the whole family. The center has a collection of 500 pieces of aerospace-related exhibition works, a 3D theater, an outdoor theme park, a dinosaur forest, a year-round sledding slope, a water pool and many more.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Gapgot Fortification was built in 1679 to protect the Ganghwa Straits from invasions. A highly strategic location for the Goryeo Kingdom, the site had also endured multiple invasions by the Mongolian troops between 1232 and 1270. The eight cannons that were set up at the time of the fortification construction are displayed at the site.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Ganghwa Seonwonsa Temple Site was first discovered in 1976 during a surface examination around Ganghwado Island undertaken by the Ganghwado Island Academic Research Team of Dongguk University. The site was designated as Historic Site No. 259 in 1977. Seonwonsa Temple was built by General Choi Wu in 1245 (the 32nd year of King Gojong’s reign during the Goryeo dynasty), which was right after the transfer of the capital to Ganghwado during resistance against the Mongolian invasion. The temple was meant to be a spiritual mainstay in fighting against Mongolia. It used to be one of the two largest temples in Korea along with Songgwangsa Temple. However, the temple was completely destroyed during the early Joseon era, leaving only the site itself. The famous wood blocks of Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), currently housed in Haeinsa Temple at Hapcheon, are said to have been originally stored in Seonwonsa Temple. It is believed that the carved wood blocks were taken from Seonwonsa to Heungcheonsa Temple during the Joseon era and again moved to Haeinsa Temple during the reign of Sejo. Located on a mountain slope, the presumed location of the building site extends 250 meters from south to north and 170 meters from east to west.


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Sammok Quay is located in the north of Yeongjongdo (Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon). Boats typically operate between Sammok and other islands in its vicinity (Jangbongdo, Modo, Sindo, and Sido). Its name originates from Sammokdo, where the quay belonged. Sindo is an island near Sammok Quay. It is also called Jinyeom, which means true salt because salt is produced there. Visitors can enjoy the breath-taking view of Yeongjongdo and the West Sea from the peak of Mt. Gubong in Sindo. Two bridges connect Sindo, Sido, and Modo. Sido’s natural beauty is still preserved due to its isolation and has appeared in the Korean soap operas, “Full House” and “Winter Sonata,” attracting tourists increasingly. Around March 15 on the lunar calendar, the sea route between Modo and Hoedong-ri (Gogun-myeon) is said to open for two hours over the x_width of 18 meters. It is often considered the Mysterious Sea Route or Moses Miracle in Korea. Many tourists visit Modo around that time to witness the mystery of nature. Visitors can take a boat from Sindo to Jangbongdo, whose name originates from having many peaks and a long-shaped island. It boasts many coastal wonders. Surrounded by wide tidal land, these four islands are home to rare, precious birds such as Swinhoe’s Egret (Natural Monument No.360) and Black-Tailed Gull (Natural Monument No. 361). Famous local produce includes grapes, dried laver, shrimp, razor clams, and octopus. Modo got itself name after Chinese character ‘Tti’ meaning lines of fish nets because when fishing, no fish were caught hanging in Tti. The story of the Royal Investigator Lee Geon-chang came down from generation to generation with a monument. Trout fishing is formed around the island; mangdungeo, rockfish, conger eel and other are caught as well. Specialties includes grapes with high sugar content and wild oysters.


Incheon(Jung-gu)

Though Wangsang Beach is just 5 minutes away from Eurwang-ri, the beach has quite a different ambiance compared to the Eurwang-ri area. While Eurwang-ri is more like a vacation spot for younger crowds, Wangsan as the relaxing charm of a fishing village. The view of the setting sun at Wangsan is one of eight scenic sites of Yongu.


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

Near Dongmak Beach, Seonsu Port (also called Hupo Port) is the largest port on Ganghwado Island. Fishing boasts anchored here often travel to and from the Seokmodo Island area which is known for catches of Large-eyed Herring. Thus the port is known for its many sashimi restaurants offering freshly-served cuts of this fish.Usually return with Large-eyed herring are known for their tenderness and delicious taste. Herring sashimi is available year-round, but many believe it tastes best in May when the fish grow plump in size. In addition to sashimi slices, Large-eyed Herring can be enjoyed roasted, fried, mixed in dishes, or added to soups. Large-eyed Herring soup is a spicy stew that contains ground herring. This delicious menu item is difficult to find away from Seonsu Port. The fish market inside the cluster of restaurants offers fresh seafood including herring, blue crab, king prawns, bass, gray mullet, and webfoot octopus at reasonable market prices.The seaside destination is close to many nearby attractions including: Jeondeungsa Temple, Dongmak Beach, and a scenic drive along the coast Ganghwado Island. The port is also known for romantic sunsets which are best enjoyed when viewed from between the port and Dongmak Beach. 


Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Opened in October 2007, National Institute of Biological Resources has the largest collection preservation facilities in Asia. The institute collects, preserves, manages, and conducts research on biological resources with the aim of growing into a biological resource hub of North East Asia.The institute is comprised of the spine-shaped collections and research centers and the leaf-shaped exhibition and education centers. The exhibition hall has 3,905 specimens of 1,287 native species on display. Korea's diverse ecosystems are recreated as highly detailed dioramas at the exhibition hall. A small restaurant is located inside the research center, and the extensive grass field in front of the institute provides an ideal picnic spot.