[One Day Walk] The Mysterious Land Created by the Sea... Walking Along Incheon Wetlands and Pogu Paths

‘all ways Incheon’ Many roads connect in Incheon. From small alleys and mountain paths to highways, railroads, sea routes, and airways... Incheon communicates with the world through its roads. Among these many paths, we introduce the Incheon Dullegil, which adds the joy of walking by allowing you to feel Incheon’s history, culture, nature, and people.

This section starts from Incheon Grand Park Arboretum and follows Jangsu Stream and Sorae Wetlands (mudflats). Passing through Jangsu Stream, a representative ecological stream of Incheon, and Sorae Wetland Ecological Park, a treasure trove of wetland ecology, you can directly see and experience various ecological environments. Although the distance is somewhat long, most of the course is flat and can be walked without much difficulty. The total length of Jangsu Stream, which starts from the artificial lake in Incheon Grand Park and flows into Sorae Port, is 6.9 km. The walking path along Jangsu Stream crosses Seochang JC and several city roads multiple times, so it is designed to use underpasses instead of roads for convenience. The underpasses are decorated with various distinctive sculptures, adding to the enjoyment.

Hosugongwon

Jangsu Stream, which had deteriorated water quality due to the inflow of domestic sewage, is being restored as an ecological stream. It receives water supply from the Han River, and through the ‘Save Jangsu Stream Movement’ carried out over several years by releasing loaches and introducing EM mud balls, the stream is regaining its original state. Thanks to the efforts of many, migratory birds now visit, carp come back, and on summer nights, you can even see fireflies flying over the wetland park.

The path enters Dambang Village, whose name originates from ‘dambang,’ imitating the sound or shape made when an object falls into water and sinks. Sorae Gaetgol, where Jangsu Stream flows gently and unfolds a long journey, can be said to start from Dambang Village. In the past, seawater used to flow into Jangsu-dong and Mansu-dong. This means that even the areas now lined with apartment buildings were originally wetlands. Currently, Sorae Gaetgol extends from the point where Jangsu Stream ends and joins Mansu-dong, passes in front of Sorae Wetland Ecological Park, continues to Sorae Port, and meets Siheung Gaetgol.

Sorae Tidal Flat Observation Deck

The ecological park was created to restore the mudflats, tidal channels, and abandoned salt farm areas into land where various organisms can live. Originally, this site was the Sorae Salt Farm. Built by the Japanese in the 1930s, salt was produced here until 1996. The salt produced was transported by railway and ended up in Japanese hands, where it was used as a raw material for making explosives. The mysterious land created by the ebb and flow of tides, the mudflats, is a gift from nature. Just as farmers cultivate the land, fishermen cultivate the mudflats. They obtain salt, clams, and fish to sustain their lives.

Red Windmill of Sorae Wetlands

This path reflects on our lives dependent on nature and our responsibility to protect the natural environment. The route, starting from Incheon Grand Park, a representative site of Incheon, follows the stream to the sea. The ‘So’ (蘇) in Sorae means ‘to awaken’ or ‘to revive,’ and ‘Rae’ (萊) means uncultivated fallow land. Just as uncultivated fallow land is revived to create new land and inspire new life, perhaps now is the time for us to face our situation where we must breathe with nature and rely on its power.

Incheon Dullegil Course 6

● Distance and Duration: 9.8 km, 2 hours 30 minutes

● Route: Incheon Arboretum (Incheon Grand Park) - Incheon Grand Park (Lake Park) - Jangsu Stream (Jangsu 3 Bridge, Dambang Village) - Namdong Gymnasium - Sorae Wetland Ecological Park (North Gate) - Sorae Wetland Ecological Park (West Gate) - Sorae Wetland Ecological Park Exhibition Hall - Sorae Port Market - Sorae History Museum

● Transportation: Main buses 8, 8A, 11, 14-1, 16-1, 30, 47, 103-1 (Get off at Incheon Grand Park)