First published on TripZilla.

Whenever the word “Incheon” is mentioned, South Korea’s airport comes to mind. After all, Incheon Airport is the gateway to Korea for many around the world. However, did you know that Incheon is actually a city in itself, and is well worth your time exploring?

Incheon is South Korea’s third largest city, after Seoul and Busan. It is also Korea’s second largest port city, and is home to the country’s only official Chinatown. Here are 3 places to visit other than the airport!

Chinatown

A towering gate is visible the minute you exit Incheon station, marking the entrance to Chinatown.

The streets are lined with vibrant red buildings, adorned with countless red Chinese lanterns swaying in the wind. The alluring smells of dumplings, soup and noodles fill the air, and utensils are heard clinking against bowls that clatter against each other. Street vendors are aplenty; their chiming voices accompanied by sticks of food that they wave in the air. Together with the Chinese traditional music, it’s almost as if you’re no longer in Korea, but transported to China!

The most famous dish here would be the jajangmyeon, also known as black bean noodles. The popularity of the dish is so great that it’s become somewhat of Chinatown’s icon.

Don’t miss the Samgukji Mural Street, a row of murals illustrating China’s Three Kingdoms Period.

Take a stroll over to Sinpo Market as well, a modest market boasting more than 140 stalls. Sinpo Market is famous for its dakgangjeong, deep fried crispy chicken glazed in a spicy, sticky, and sweet sauce – so be sure to grab some while you’re there!

Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village

As part of a project to revive decrepit housing areas, the Korean government has transformed a district of rundown old houses into a fairytale wonderland enjoyed by adults and children alike. The Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village can be reached by a 10 minute walk from the station through Chinatown, and the route is clearly signposted.

The houses are so elaborately decorated that it is easy to forget that this is very much a real village, with residents still living in the houses.

The government has incorporated various elements into the décor, such as popular Disney characters and colourful murals. No surface is left untouched, and even the poles and pipes along the walls are decorated!

Magic is indeed in the air at the Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village!

Wolmido Island

 Spend an afternoon at Wolmido Island, an island connected to the mainland via a highway, making for convenient and easy access. Wolmido Culture Street consists of a waterfront esplanade full of restaurants and game arcades. Dine at one of the many fresh seafood restaurants, or try your hand at old-school traditional carnival games such as balloon darts!

The esplanade is a great place to relax beside the calming waters...

Or to catch a resplendent sunset!

One interesting sight would be the sunken jetty, an abandoned jetty that is half-submerged.

Try your luck at some carnival games, or take on some thrilling rides at the Wolmi Amusement Park located along the boardwalk. Admission to the park is free, and you pay per ride.

There are some interesting sculptures along the waterfront that make for good photo opportunities and you might even be able to catch a free concert too!

To get to the Wolmi waterfront esplanade, take buses 2 or 23 from the bus stop directly in front of Incheon Station. There’s so many things to see and do at Incheon, which is located right at the end of Line 1 of the Seoul Metropolitan subway. Start planning your trip to one of South Korea’s hidden gems today!