This year is Visit Incheon 2009, Korea. Incheon's city government has focused on creating sightseeing programs and building sightseeing infrastructure. For these the city government, Incheon Tourism Organization, and the committee managing the event finished their overall preparations. First they set a symbol with three colors - yellow, blue, and red. This trinity stands for Global Incheon. Yellow symbolizes the hope, blue shows the dreams, and red signifies the passion of Incheon. Then, they selected a slogan - Come together, Fly Incheon. Through the slogan they expressed their hope to see a rapidly-rising Incheon.
Various Hot Spots
Palmi Island has opened with a lighthouse which has been there for one hundred years, and an esplanade. If you like jajangmyeon, Chinatown has good restaurants. You could get some excellent jajangmyeon and make a great memory. Baeknyeongdo Island is also wonderful. You can feel the beauty of nature in the rock cliffs of the Dumujin, and the sandy Sogot Coast.
In April you can go to Goryeo Mountain at Ganghwa Island, when azaleas are in full bloom. If you are with the azalea blossoms and the spring sunshine, Incheon is sure you can have a fantastic time no matter who you go with.In May, Bupyeong is filled with Korean traditional folk music, and it might make you dance.In June, it is a perfect time to stay at a temple. The temple stays allow you to feel the value of slowness and emptiness.In July, Incheon recommends a paradise - Ongjin. You can enjoy not only swimming but also fishing in the sea, and catching clams in the foreshore.
In August, through the Global Fair & Festival 2009, Songdo will reveal itself to the world. The fair is scheduled for August to October. It will entertain visitors by providing 65 programs. Especially, Global Culture Street is very unique - it is the perfect setting for visitors to create an unforgettable memory. You will notice that Songdo has two looks: the global city and the future city.
In September, Korea's longest bridge - and the fifth longest in the world - will open for the first time. There will be lots of events celebrating the completion of the construction work.In October, Sorae Wharf Festival will start. You can see and smell the ocean, and the foreshore is filled with various creatures which can help you to energize yourself.In November, the everlasting theme of Wolmido Island is romance. You can find out why while you are walking through the picturesque streets with your loved one.In December, Seokmodo Island has the greatest sunsets. The sunset paints all things red - the sky, the sea, and you. It will be a good experience to finish the year, and to reflect upon yourself.
The famous Korean TV series Boys Over Flowers was shot in Incheon. The Incheon Tourism Organization attracted the series to inform people of various showplaces. This famous series chose Palmi Island, Songdo, and Muuido Island as its background because these spots beautified the scenes and made the ending look incredible.
The last scenes of the series showed the beautiful islands and sea of Incheon together. Through this opportunity Incheon showed off its charm to the whole nation.
The heroine confessed her love to the hero first and kissed him on Fairy Rock Beach, in Eurwangni. Also, they took their last trip to Incheon at Silmido, Jamjindo, and Eurwangni.
The committee plans to use the series to inform people about Incheon, and has uploaded information and photos about the film locations to its homepage. In addition, the committee is developing many sources for sightseeing and attracting tourists both foreign and domestic.
Railroad Traveling
The Incheon Tourism Organization made programs to let people enjoy the showplaces of Incheon on the Korea Railroad for Visit Korea Incheon 2009, and Global Fair & Festival.
First, the Love Story Starlight Train is a package deal. The train starts from Seoul Station and goes to Incheon Station, and then stays for one hour in Chinatown. Before this tour, the railroad trip was a little boring, but this tour is different. It makes up for the weakness by serving wine, music by a DJ, and live performances. Responses from twentysomethings and thirtysomethings have been very good. The package will be sold until late September this year, and trains will operate just 31 times. You can check the schedule and make a reservation on Korail Tourservice's website (www.korailtours.com). It costs 35,000 won (US$26.13) per person.
Moreover, the package deal called “Do you know Incheon” is divided into two parts. First, you can see Korean modern history. Incheon was an open port for accepting modern civilization from foreign countries. It was the main stage in Korea's early modern era. There is Chinatown, Jayu Park, and modern architecture. You can tour around this area with Cultural Heritage Interpreters. Then you can rediscover Incheon as Korea's city of modern civilization.
Second, Incheon is the nearest port from the Seoul metropolitan area. You don't need to go far away from Seoul to feel the atmosphere of a port. There is Korea's earliest lighthouse, which was locked for 106 years and was opened recently, on Palmi Island; Incheon Bridge, which is the longest in Korea at 21.27 kilometers, and the fifth-longest in the world; and Incheon Complex Fish Market. The Incheon Complex Fish Market has cheap and fresh fish and generous traders. It is the best spot to enjoy gourmet seafood dishes for a sensitive wallet with your family, friends, or your significant other.
This package is sponsored by the Incheon government. You can enjoy the package at a cheap price - 19,900 won (US$14.87) per adult, and 14,900 won (US$11.13) per child. It will be sold until late December of this year. Trains operate every weekend. You can make a reservation at Seoul Metropolitan West Office of the Korea Railroad (02-2634-2401), Train Tour (02-1577-7788, www.114ktx.co.kr), and Hongik Tour (02-717-1002, www.ktxtour.co.kr).
