[K-TRAVEL④] Incheon Wolmi-do: A Place to View Korea’s Past and Present Together

*This content was translated by AI.

As the Hallyu wave has grown, travelers from around the world visiting various parts of Korea have increased significantly, establishing K-travel as a new trend. StarNews introduces travel destinations where one can fully experience Korea’s unique charm and beauty without large crowds. Visitors can gain their own Korean-style charm and memories.

[K-TRAVEL④] Incheon Wolmi-do

If you truly love Korea, we recommend Incheon Wolmi-do as an essential stop on any Korean tour. Beyond Incheon, this place holds both the pain of Korea’s history and the coexistence of today’s prosperity and joy. Thus, it becomes an opportunity to understand Korea more deeply. It is easily accessible from Seoul, and not far from Incheon Airport, Korea’s gateway.

Wolmi-do, an island-like land connected by road to the mainland with a circumference of 4 km and Wolmi Mountain (108 m) at its center, lies 1 km off Jeompo in Incheon. Since the establishment of Wolmi Park and Culture Street in 1989, it has been known as a diverse resting space, a venue for culture and arts, a place for meetings and exchanges, and a stage for performances and games. It is now considered an attractive destination not only for Incheon residents but also throughout Seoul and the nation.

On Wolmi-do, we first recommend light walking and jogging combined with healing. Walking along the 2.3 km (Meeting Square → Wildflower Garden → Dondae Intersection → Meeting Square) path at the midsection of Wolmi Mountain typically takes about 40 minutes. Strolling lightly through the forest allows one to connect with nature. Walking through the forest that changes colors seasonally and breathing in fresh air helps relieve stress and recharge, making Wolmi Park a top-ranked recommended spot.

The walking path in Wolmi Park features trees that have formed a tunnel, untouched by public access for over 50 years. As you walk, you are greeted by the fragrant scent of trees and

the sound of birdsong, which soothes both body and mind. At one time, it was selected as one of the "Top Walking Paths in the Capital Area" and among the "21 Beautiful Forests Nationwide" in the 15th Beautiful Forest National Competition. Its proximity to the city center is also a major attraction. If climbing to the summit is difficult, you can take the shuttle vehicle called the "Seal Car," which reaches the top in just 15 minutes.

While walking along the path, the dense forest makes it hard to see the surrounding scenery. However, from the Wolmi Mountain observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of Incheon’s cityscape and the sea in all directions. You can see skyscrapers reaching toward the sky in Songdo and Cheongna districts, tour boats and port facilities off Jeompo, and in the distance, Incheon Grand Bridge, Cheongna Bridge, and Yeongjong Island. It is also a moment to witness Incheon’s growth into a global city with your own eyes.

If you seek mental relaxation through walking, visiting Wolmi Culture Street—where various sashimi restaurants, cafes, and amusement facilities are concentrated—will fill you with energy from its vibrant atmosphere. Alongside diverse sashimi restaurants featuring West Sea seafood, cafes echo with lively laughter, and the footsteps of families and couples strolling down the street are cheerful. Even on the faces of people lost in thought while gazing at the sea, smiles can be found. On one side of the street, you’ll find "Taga Disco" (Disco Pangpang), famous for its witty DJ commentary; the Viking ride, known nationwide as the scariest; and a large Ferris wheel offering refreshing views of the sea. These attractions ensure the area is always lively and full of energy. If your mood dips, visiting here can help you regain high mental tension. Just watching the innocent and joyful expressions of people enjoying "Taga Disco" naturally brings smiles to your face. Videos featuring such scenes on YouTube have gained global popularity.

This vibrant Wolmi-do had little historical record until the installation of a royal palace in the 4th year of King Hyojong’s reign (1653) during the Joseon Dynasty. However, as nearby Jeompo Pohang developed into an active maritime trade port, the population grew significantly, and from the 1920s to 1930s, it began enjoying its golden age as a scenic island and beach resort.

During the Korean War, Wolmi-do was heavily bombed during the Incheon Landing Operation, leaving the island in a state of utter devastation. Since then, it has rapidly recovered and thrived alongside Korea’s development. If Korea’s modern progress is often compared to the "Miracle on the Han River," then Wolmi-do’s transformation can be described as its own miracle, achieving remarkable growth to reach its current form.

Jeompo Pohang, where Wolmi-do is located, also marks the starting point of Korea’s immigration history. For this reason, the Incheon Immigration Museum is situated on the island. Beyond the initial migration to Hawaii in the early 1900s, visitors can broadly explore the movement and daily lives of Koreans through exhibits covering migrations to Manchuria and the Russian Far East, as well as overseas adoptions. Historical materials are displayed showing how impoverished Koreans at the time were forced or chose to leave for foreign lands thousands of miles away in search of livelihood. This reveals that Korea, now leading a global Hallyu wave, once endured such difficult and challenging times, evoking solemn reflection among Koreans.

Recently, the large-scale Incheon Marine Museum has been built nearby, allowing visitors to explore exhibits on maritime exchange history, shipping and port operations, marine culture, a children’s museum, and a digital immersive video room. With its educational materials, it is highly recommended as a family travel destination for those accompanied by children.

The domestic longest urban monorail circulating around Wolmi-do is another local specialty. The total route spans 6.1 km, and at an average speed of 9 km/h, it takes approximately 42 minutes to complete one full loop around the island. Each train consists of two cars, accommodating up to 46 passengers. The Wolmi Sea Train’s tracks range from 7 meters to a maximum height of 18 meters above ground, offering views of Wolmi-do’s scenery, Incheon Inner Port, the West Sea, and even the distant Incheon Grand Bridge. Especially popular is the ability to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the West Sea at a glance, making it a new representative tourist attraction in Incheon.

Wolmi-do also operates cruise ships (Wolmi-do Marine Tourism), allowing visitors to enjoy romance on the sea. The cruise tours the area around Wolmi-do, Yeongjong Bridge, Ara Waterway West Sea Locks, or Incheon Grand Bridge for about an hour and a half, featuring onboard performances and night views as highlights. Notably, the Fireworks Cruise departing every Saturday is particularly famous. With so much to see, enjoy, and taste exclusively on Wolmi-do, depending on how you plan your schedule, even a single day may feel too short.

Wolmi-do has relatively spacious free parking lots around the island. If using public transportation, it takes less than 10 minutes by bus from Incheon Station. Nearby Incheon Station is home to Chinatown, where visitors can admire Chinese-style streets and buildings; adding this to your itinerary will require brisk walking.

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*This content was translated by AI.