Gyeongin Ara Waterway (경인 아라뱃길) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gyeongin Ara Waterway (경인 아라뱃길)

12.0Km    2023-11-10

41 Jeongseojin 1-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon
+82-1899-3650

Ara Waterway flows 18 kilometers from the Hangang River to the West Sea. Opened in 2012, the waterway serves to quickly remove excess water from the surrounding areas to prevent flooding. The waterway also serves as a key route for transporting cargo via ship, as well as a natural green space.

The idea of Ara Waterway started nearly 800 years ago during the Joseon dynasty by King Gojong. Unfortunately, his plan could not be completed at that time due to technical obstacles and the difficult state of the country. After countless efforts and preparation, the construction of the waterway began in 2009 and opened in 2012.

Okgu Park (옥구공원)

Okgu Park (옥구공원)

12.2Km    2024-02-21

277 Seohaean-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do

Okgu Park, situated near Oido Island and elevated at 93 meters, boasts a picturesque landscape adorned with sculptures, making it an ideal location for photography enthusiasts. The park features multiple attractions including a concert hall, a fountain square, and a captivating rose garden. In autumn, visitors can relish the beauty of the silver grass hill. Upon reaching the park's summit, breathtaking views of the sea await. Additionally, during the summer months, a water playground offers refreshing entertainment for visitors.

Siheung Baegot Hanul Park Seawater Pool (시흥배곧한울공원 해수체험장)

12.2Km    2024-02-21

61 Haesongsimni-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do

Siheung Baegot Hanul Park Seawater Pool is a captivating water playground situated within Siheung Baegot Hanul Park. The area is adorned with palm trees and shade canopies, lending an exotic ambiance to it. This summer-only facility offers forty five-minute play sessions, each followed by a fifteen-minute break. It can accommodate up to 1,000 guests per session on a first-come, first-served basis, and admission is exclusively through card payments. For safety reasons, due to the potentially slippery surfaces, visitors are required to wear aqua shoes.

Yeongjong Grand Bridge (영종대교)

12.2Km    2022-07-26

Jangdo Island (Gyeongseo-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon-si) ~ Yeongjongdo Island (Unbuk-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon-si)

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.

National Institute of Biological Resources (국립생물자원관)

National Institute of Biological Resources (국립생물자원관)

12.3Km    2023-04-13

42, Hwangyeong-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon
+82-32-590-7000

Opened in October 2007, the National Institute of Biological Resources is the largest collection preservation facility in Northeast Asia. The institute collects, preserves, manages, and conducts research on biological resources with the aim of growing into a focal biological resource hub of Northeast Asia. The institute is comprised of a spine-shaped collections and research center and a leaf-shaped exhibition and education center. 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.

Yeongjongdo Island (영종도)

12.3Km    2022-05-12

100, Unnamseo-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
+82-32-745-0211

Yeongjongdo Island, combined with Yongyudo and Sammokdo Islands through land reclamation work, connects to the mainland via Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge and is located 3 kilometers northwest of Yeonan Pier, Incheon. The 4.42 kilometer-long ride to Yeongjongdo Island provides amazing views of the ocean and mud flats. A fish market is the first thing that greets visitors to the island, providing fresh seafood daily. The island has the Yonggungsa Temple and Baegunsan Mountain, known for its walking trails. At the peak of the mountain, visitors can see a panoramic view of Incheon International Airport.

Sudokwon Landfill Site Wildflower Complex Dream Park (수도권 매립지 야생화단지 드림파크)

Sudokwon Landfill Site Wildflower Complex Dream Park (수도권 매립지 야생화단지 드림파크)

12.7Km    2024-03-07

61 Geowol-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon
+82-32-560-9300

Sudokwon Landfill Site Wildflower Complex Dream Park is an eco-project park that maintains the function of a landfill site while restoring natural habitats and providing citizens with recreational spaces. It features Green Bio Complex, Wildflower Garden, Nature Observation District, and Wetland Observation District. A leisurely stroll takes about 40 minutes, while exploring every nook and cranny may take around 1 hour and 30 minutes. There's also a dog playground, making it suitable for visits with pets.

Incheon Yonggungsa Temple (용궁사 (인천))

Incheon Yonggungsa Temple (용궁사 (인천))

12.7Km    2021-11-12

199-1, Unnam-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
+82-32-746-1361

Yonggungsa Temple is located in the same region as the Incheon International Airport and sits on the northeastern slopes of Baegunsan Mountain. During the Silla Kingdom (about 1,300 years ago), the temple was named ‘Baegunsa’ by King Munmu, in reference to the temple’s mountain home. During the Joseon dynasty, it was the temporary residence of Heungseon Daewongun (1820-1898, a politician and father of King Gojong), who stayed at the temple for 10 years praying for his son to ascend to the throne. When his son was finally crowned king, Heungseon Daewongun rebuilt the temple and changed the name to Yonggungsa.

The temple consists of various buildings such as Gwaneumjeon (re-constructed by Heungseon Daewongun), Yosachae (home of the monks), Chilseonggak, and Yonghwanggak. In Yosachae, the writings of Heungseon Daewongun are hung on the wall and recently, an 11 meter-high statue of Maitreya was put in place. In front of the temple are two 1,300 year-old zelkova trees.

Bucheon Bow Museum (부천활박물관)

12.9Km    2021-12-23

482, Sosa-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-32-614-2678

Reflected by the outstanding performance of Korean archers at recent Olympic games, Koreans have an esteemed reputation for their skills in archery and craftsmanship. But this undoubted skill has historical precedent, as bows were an important weapon of war throughout Korean history. The Bucheon Bow Museum was established to show visitors the spirit of Korean archery, and demonstrate its ancestral traditions of bowyer craftsmanship. The museum houses traditional bows (gukgung), which are considered prized cultural pieces, and have been made by a Bucheon family, which has fostered a lineage of bowyers across five generations. In addition, the museum exhibits various pieces and articles related to archery.

Oido Island (오이도)

12.9Km    2025-05-08

175 Oido-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do

Located off the western coast of the city of Siheung, Oido Island was originally an island and then connected to the mainland during the Japanese occupation as its tidal flats were used as a salt plant. During the day, the blue sea and the red lighthouse, the symbol of Oido, create a picturesque scene. In the evening, visitors can enjoy the spectacular sight of red sunsets over the sea. It also includes the largest prehistoric site on the west coast. The expansive tidal flats are home to a wide variety of creatures, attracting seasonal migratory birds.