[Harumanbo] Seeing the Real China Inside Korea... Incheon Station

[Editor's Note] The course introduction of Harumanbo is evolving. Walking several thousand steps within about an hour during your commute or lunch break can boost both your body and mind. The subway is not only an easily accessible and safe mode of transportation for everyone but also a key point in Harumanbo. We introduce pleasant walking spots around subway stations.

Today's featured course is Incheon Station. Incheon Station is well known for Chinatown, but Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village is also popular. According to the Seo-gu Office of Incheon, Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village was transformed in 2013 through a residential environment improvement project, theming the entire village with world-famous fairy tales by adding colors and installing sculptures. Eleven themed streets such as Dorosi-gil, Red Riding Hood-gil, and Traditional Fairy Tale-gil were created. Most houses and buildings in the village are decorated like locations from fairy tales. Utility poles have turned into the giant beanstalk from , and gas meters have become the Tin Woodman from . Deeper inside the village, there is a mural street decorated with traditional Korean fairy tales, where taking photos in front of large paintings makes you feel like a character in a fairy tale, creating special memories for both adults and children. Across the mural street, ‘Trick Art Story’ is another must-visit hot spot in Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village. Trick Art Story is a two-story venue offering an engaging experience with 39 three-dimensional paintings that provide visual fun.

Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
[Photo by Incheon Jung-gu Office]

Chinatown is a ‘Little China within Korea’ where Korean and Chinese cultures coexist. Chinatown was formed after the Qing Consulate was established in 1884, when about 2,000 Chinese people moved to the current Seonlin-dong area. Four paifang gates?Junggahga (中華街), Seonlinmun (善隣門), Inhwamun (仁華門), and Hanjungmun (韓中門)?mark the boundaries of Chinatown. These gates have traditionally served as the village entrance and spiritual pillars for the Chinese community. They are typically tower-shaped with red pillars and roofs, featuring elaborate decorations. Dozens of Chinese restaurants, Chinese bakeries, and cafes are thriving, and there are many attractions such as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms mural street, Jayu Park, and the Fairy Tale Village.

Korea-China Cultural Center
Photo by Incheon Jung-gu Office

The entire Eungbongsan area around Incheon Station is called Jayu Park, preserving landmarks such as the General MacArthur statue, the 100th Anniversary of Korea-US Diplomatic Relations Monument, the Nature Protection Charter Monument, the Memorial Tower, and Seokjeongru Pavilion. From Seokjeongru, you can get a panoramic view of Incheon Port and Wolmi Mountain’s Bukseong Port. Since opportunities to experience Chinese culture are rare in Korea, visiting Chinatown is not just about eating and entertainment; it is also recommended to visit the Korea-China Cultural Center to deepen your understanding of China.

Main Stops Incheon Station - Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village - Jayu Park - Bukseong-dong Original Jajangmyeon Street - Korea-China Cultural Center

Course Distance: 2.1 km, Estimated Time: 31 minutes