STOPOVER
Incheon / 8 hours
Tour Highlights
- Wolmido Island
- Open Port Museum
- Modern Architecture Museum
- Sinpo Market
Meet your tour guide upon arrival at Incheon International Airport and begin your exploration of Incheon ? a city where Korea’s modern history began. Your journey starts with a scenic drive across Korea’s longest suspension bridge, stretching 21 kilometers across the sea.
Your first destination is Wolmido Island, one of the three landing operation sites during the Korean War (1950?1953). Here, you’ll learn about Operation Chromite, the daring amphibious landing launched on September 15, 1950, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. With 75,000 soldiers and 261 battleships, this operation became one of the most spectacular amphibious assaults in modern warfare, paving the way for the recapture of Seoul by UN Allied Forces.
Continue your journey into history with a visit to the Modern History and Culture District, often described as an open-air museum. This district preserves an array of buildings from the late 19th century, offering an intimate glimpse into Incheon’s transformation during Korea’s opening to the world.
Explore the Open Port Museum, which houses a rare collection of artifacts representing Korea’s early encounters with Western civilization. Many of the exhibits showcase “firsts” in Korean society - including private schools, trains, football, fire stations, hospitals, electricity, hotels, telephones, ham, rubber shoes, tea houses, and soap - all symbols of a nation in transition.
Next, visit the Modern Architecture Museum, where historical photos and architectural remnants exude an old-world charm. Though some original buildings have been lost, the area once hosted the British, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian consulates, as well as the Incheon Mint, Meteorological Observatory, and Incheon Surveillance Office.
A short walk away lies the Sinpo Fashion and Culture District, a lively area known as the gateway for foreign goods in early modern Korea. Browse shops selling jewelry, glasses, casual wear, and sports apparel, blending the old with the new.
End your tour at the bustling Sinpo Traditional Market, the birthplace of Korean fried chicken. Be sure to sample Dakgangjeong, the famous sweet-and-spicy crispy chicken that originated here.
After a memorable journey through Incheon’s history and culture, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to Incheon International Airport, arriving in time for your next flight.
