[K-TRAVEL④] Incheon Wolmi-do: An island where you can see Korea’s past and present together

*This content was translated by AI.

As the Hallyu wave has grown, the number of travelers from around the world visiting various parts of Korea has increased significantly, and K-travel is also establishing itself as a new trend. StarNews introduces travel destinations that allow visitors to fully experience Korea’s unique charm and beauty without being overly crowded. You can gain your own Korean charm and memories.

[K-TRAVEL④] Incheon Wolmi-do

If you truly love Korea, we recommend Incheon Wolmi-do as an essential route for Korean travel. Beyond Incheon, this island holds the pain of Korea’s history while coexisting with today’s prosperity and joy. Thus, it becomes an opportunity to understand Korea more deeply. It is easily accessible from Seoul, and Korea’s gateway, Incheon Airport, is not far away.

Wolmi-do, located 1 km off Jeompo in Incheon, is an island that is not quite an island, with Wolmi Mountain (108m) at its center and a perimeter of 4 km connected to the mainland by road. Since the establishment of Wolmi Park and Culture Street in 1989, it has become known as a space for various rest areas, cultural and artistic venues, places for meetings and exchanges, and performance grounds. It is now considered an attractive destination not only for Incheon residents but also throughout Seoul and across the nation.

On Wolmi-do, we first recommend light walking and jogging combined with healing. Walking along the 2.3 km (Meeting Plaza ~ Wildflower Garden ~ Dondae Intersection ~ Meeting Plaza) path at the midsection of Wolmi Mountain usually takes about 40 minutes. You can stroll lightly through the forest and enjoy nature together. Strolling through the forest that changes with the seasons in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, breathing in fresh air as the forest changes colors every moment, is a top-recommended place at Wolmi Park to relieve stress and recharge.

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

the sound of birdsong that soothes your mind and body. At one time, it was selected as one of the "15th Beautiful Forest National Contest" among 21 sites and also recognized as a "good walking course in the capital area." Its proximity to the city center is also an attractive feature. If climbing to the summit is difficult, you can take the shuttle vehicle called the Sea Lion Car and reach the top in about 15 minutes.

While walking along the path, the dense forest makes it difficult 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 look down on Songdo and Cheongna districts where skyscrapers reach toward the sky, tour boats and port facilities off Jeompo, and in the distance, Incheon Bridge, Cheongna Bridge, and Yeongjong Island. It is also a moment when you can visually confirm Incheon’s growth into a world-class city.

If you have found mental rest 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. Along with diverse sashimi restaurants featuring West Sea coast cuisine, cafes and other venues continue to echo with lively laughter. Families and couples strolling down the street move with light steps. Even on the faces of people lost in thought while gazing at the sea, you can find smiles. On one side of the street, there is "Taga Disco" (Disco Pangpang), famous for its cheerful and exciting DJ commentary; the Viking ride, known as the scariest in the country; and a large Ferris wheel where you can enjoy the refreshing sea view. These attractions ensure the area remains full of energy and liveliness. If your mood has dropped, visiting here can help you regain high mental tension. Just watching the innocent and carefree expressions of people enjoying "Taga Disco" naturally brings smiles to your face. Videos featuring such scenes on YouTube are popular worldwide.

This vibrant Wolmi-do had almost no historical records except for a note that a royal palace was established on the island during the 4th year of King Hyojong’s reign in the Joseon Dynasty (1653). However, as nearby Jeompo Pohang developed into an active maritime trade port, the population increased significantly, and from the 1920s to 1930s, it began to enjoy its golden age as a resort with beautiful islands and beaches.

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

Jeompo Pohang, where Wolmi-do is located, is also the starting point of Korea’s immigration history. For this reason, the Incheon Immigration Museum is situated on the island. It offers a broad view of Korean migration and living history, ranging from the first emigration to Hawaii in the early 1900s to migrations to Manchuria and the Russian Far East, as well as overseas adoptions. Historical materials are displayed showing how Koreans, who were poor at the time, left their homeland for distant foreign lands to earn money, whether willingly or unwillingly. This reveals that Korea, which now leads the global Hallyu wave, once endured such difficult and challenging times, evoking a solemn mood 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 affairs, marine culture, a children’s museum, and a digital immersive video room. With many educational materials, it is recommended as a family travel destination for those accompanied by children.

The domestic longest urban tourist monorail circulating around Wolmi-do is also a local specialty. The total operating distance is 6.1 km, and at an average speed of 9 km/h, it takes about 42 minutes to complete one full loop around the island. Two railcars are combined into one train, 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 Incheon Bridge in the distance. Especially, it allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the West Sea at a glance, making it a new representative tourist attraction of Incheon.

Wolmi-do also operates tour boats (Wolmi-do Marine Tourism), allowing visitors to enjoy romance on the sea. The cruise takes about an hour and a half to circle around Yeongjong Bridge, Ara Waterway West Sea Lock, or the area around Incheon Bridge. Onboard performances and night views are particularly attractive. Most notably, the Fireworks Cruise that departs every Saturday is famous. Since there is so much to see, enjoy, and taste only 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 you can enjoy Chinese-style streets and buildings. Adding such an itinerary makes your busy footsteps even more urgent.

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*This content was translated by AI.