A Moment in History: Enduring Incheon’s Bitter Pain
Introduction
Along the path brushed gently by the Incheon sea breeze, the shadows of long-gone days settle in layers. As you walk through this place where the excitement of port opening and the scars of war intersected, each step brings to mind both the painful moments of our history and the resilience that grew from them.
A Moment in History: Enduring Incheon’s Bitter Pain
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Accommodation Recommendations
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Tour Course Name — A Journey Remembering the History that Endured Bitter Pain and Became Culture
- Location — 27, Jemullyang-ro 232beonan-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungang-dong 2-ga)
- Course Type — One-day historical and cultural exploration course
- Estimated Duration — About 2 hours
- Main Route — Incheon Open Port Street → Daeryong Market, Gyodong-do → Ganghwa Peace Observatory → Ganghwa War Museum
- Inquiries — Please contact the tourism-related departments of Jung-gu Office, Incheon and Ganghwa County Office
- Note — This course combines exhibition viewing with both indoor and outdoor movement, so it is advisable to check the weather and opening hours in advance.
- 10:00 Start at Incheon Open Port Street and explore the former Japanese Consulate and modern bank buildings to learn about the history of the opening of the port.
- 11:30 Move to Daeryong Market on Gyodong-do and stroll through alleys that recreate the market of Yeonbaek-gun, Hwanghae-do, to feel traces of division.
- 13:30 Visit the Ganghwa War Museum and view relics related to wars and national defense that took place in Ganghwa.
- 15:00 Tour the exhibition facilities of the Ganghwa Peace Observatory and encounter the history of the Korean War and division through videos and displays.
- 16:00 From the North Korea Viewing Room, look out over the Yesong River, Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the confluence of the Han and Imjin Rivers, reflecting on the present reality of division.
For Ganghwa Peace Observatory, visit on a clear day for a more vivid viewing experience.
This course is a historical journey that connects Incheon Open Port Street with Daeryong Market on Gyodong-do, Ganghwa Peace Observatory, and Ganghwa War Museum in sequence. As you follow the traces of modern architecture from the port opening period, the Japanese occupation, and the Korean War, you naturally come face to face with the strengthened current of our history, just as the ground hardens after the rain.
At Daeryong Market, you can feel the scars of division through alleys recreated by refugees who reproduced their hometown market. At the Ganghwa War Museum and Ganghwa Peace Observatory, you can experience records of war and the current reality of division through exhibitions and panoramic views. It is a cultural exploration course well-suited to closing your trip with a wish for peace after passing through painful memories.
Program Information
This course follows Incheon Open Port Street, where traces of 126 years have accumulated since the port opened in 1883. Through modern buildings such as the Jung-gu Office building, formerly the Japanese Consulate, and the Incheon branches of Japan’s No. 1, 18, and 58 Banks, you can get a comprehensive look at the history and culture of the port-opening era.
This alley market was formed when residents who fled from Yeonbaek-gun in Hwanghae-do during the Korean War recreated their hometown Yeonbaek Market to make a living. Thanks to scenery reminiscent of a 1960s movie set, it has now become a must-visit course for tourists looking to take photos.
This museum was established to promote Ganghwa’s spirit of national defense, exhibiting various war-related relics centered on wars that took place in Ganghwa. Materials researched, preserved, and collected to help understand both the flow of war history and the region’s defensive role are systematically displayed.
This is a space where you can look at Ganghwa’s national defense experience, North Korean provocations, a comparison of North and South Korean military power, and unification policies all in one place. Through video facilities, you can learn about the background and damage of the Korean War, and from the North Korea Viewing Room you can directly look out over sites of division such as the Yesong River, Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the confluence of the Imjin and Han Rivers.
Since Incheon Open Port Street is within walking distance from Incheon Station, it is convenient to plan a walking itinerary using public transportation.
If you visit when nighttime events such as Cultural Heritage Night Walks are held, you can enjoy historical and cultural experiences in an atmosphere different from the daytime.
For Ganghwa Peace Observatory, check guidance related to the military protection zone and the weather conditions in advance for clearer views and a better visit.
Plan your observatory visit for a clear day for the best views.
Travel Impressions
This is a record of the day I walked through Incheon following the traces of a history that “endured bitter pain.” My heart felt heavy at times, but whenever those long-ago days quietly seemed to speak to me, I also felt a small sense of comfort whispering, “It’s okay.” The wind brushing past the alleys and the colors of the building facades felt unusually calm, and my pace naturally slowed.
My first impression was that it gathered spaces that were quiet yet deeply meaningful. The site of Incheon Prison (Gamriseo), the former Japanese Consulate, and “Dapdong Maruteo,” the path along which Kim Gu escaped prison, remain especially vivid in my memory. These places are not flashy, but information boards and explanations are placed throughout, making past events almost appear in your mind’s eye. Your steps become more leisurely, and sentences from history books seem to take on reality.
The area is not very large, but the route is well-designed. There is an established walking tour course starting from around Incheon Station or Jung-gu Office, and the distances between major points are manageable enough to move around on foot. It takes about 30 minutes to see places with experiential exhibitions, and including outdoor sections such as Dapdong and the prison site, it is best to allow about 2–3 hours for the entire course. For food and rest, the underground shopping arcade in Jung-gu and traditional teahouses nearby provide good places to sit for a while and collect your thoughts when you get tired.
Public transportation access is via Incheon Station, Dowon Station, and others, and while you do need to walk from some bus stops to certain points, the roads themselves are relatively flat. If you travel by car, parking is limited in many spots, so using paid parking lots in central Incheon works better. With family, friends, or anyone interested in history, it becomes even more meaningful as you walk and share your own memories and reflections.
There were some downsides along with my overall satisfaction. Some locations lacked sufficient guidance, so I had trouble finding them alone, and some outdoor heritage sites are difficult to use in rainy weather. Even so, I was left with a strong desire to return on a calm day and walk the same paths in the air and light of another season.
Accommodation Recommendations
If you plan to visit both Incheon Open Port Street and the Ganghwa area, it is convenient to stay in Jung-gu, Incheon and nearby districts. With access to train stations and major roads in mind, the following list focuses on accommodations that work well both for drivers and for those using public transportation.
229, Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
A hotel near Wolmido, convenient for both seaside and city sightseeing
Ideal for enjoying nighttime walks around Wolmido and views of Incheon Port.
Distance: 1.9 km
8, Wolmi-ro 260beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
A tourist hotel close to the center of Wolmido, with plenty to see nearby
Great to include along with Wolmido amusement park and the café street.
Distance: 2.0 km
10, Yeongjongjin Plaza-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)
A hotel near the sea on Yeongjong-do, ideal for combining a drive with your stay
Convenient if you want to combine airport or Yeongjong-do sightseeing with your itinerary.
Distance: 4.3 km
32, Yeongjongjin Plaza-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)
A hotel with good views near Yeongjongjin, with easy access to seaside walks
Consider checking in around sunset and planning a walk in the surrounding area.
Distance: 4.4 km
15, Yesul-ro 204beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon (Guwol-dong)
A clean, business-style hotel located in central Incheon
Suitable for itineraries that combine city shopping and dining.
Distance: 7.6 km
1, Seonsuchon Park-ro 23beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon
A city accommodation convenient to use together with nearby parks
Ideal if you want to make use of sports facilities and parks as well.
Distance: 8.6 km
20, Seogot-ro 301beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon (Simgok-dong)
A themed ryokan-style hotel where you can feel a Japanese ambiance
Recommended for those seeking a stay with a different atmosphere.
Distance: 9.3 km
18-8, Gyeongwon-daero 1417beon-gil, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon (Bupyeong-dong)
A hotel near the main commercial area of Bupyeong, convenient for public transportation
Well located for visiting the shopping streets around Bupyeong Station.
Distance: 9.7 km
If you mainly use public transportation, choose lodging near Incheon Station or Bupyeong Station for smoother movement.
Restaurants & Cafés
If you visit Open Port Street along with Wolmido and Songdo, you will have plenty of options for meals and cafés. Following the flow of the route, we’ve selected restaurants and cafés mainly in Jung-gu and Yeonsu-gu, Incheon that are easy to drop by.
104, Gaehang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Gyeong-dong)
A space with interior design that reflects the atmosphere of the open port
A good place to rest for a while and enjoy a meal or drink during your history walk.
Distance: 1.2 km
19, Yeongjongjin-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungsan-dong)
A café-style rest space near Yeongjong-do
Nice for unwinding if you schedule Ganghwa and Yeongjong together.
Distance: 4.8 km
70, Nojeoksan-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon (Hakik-dong)
A good place to stop for a meal in the Michuhol-gu area
Useful when you want a comfortable, proper meal while traveling through the city.
Distance: 4.8 km
194, Landmark-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)
A Songdo café where you can enjoy coffee and baked goods
Perfect for a relaxed tea time in Songdo after the history course.
Distance: 7.3 km
131, Art Center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)
A Songdo café and dessert shop ideal for enjoying sweets and drinks
Nice to visit together with nearby cultural facilities for a break.
Distance: 8.3 km
121, Sinsong-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)
A place for hearty meals centered on sundae (Korean blood sausage) dishes
Visit when you crave a warm bowl of soup after a walking course.
Distance: 9.0 km
11, Harmony-ro 138beon-gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)
A casual dining spot where you can enjoy both boiled pork and fried dishes
Good to use for a light dinner or drinks in the evening.
Distance: 10.0 km
13, Pyeongcheon-ro 255beon-gil, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon (Cheongcheon-dong)
A bakery where you can try a wide variety of breads
Good for takeaway snacks or a simple breakfast.
Distance: 10.0 km
For Songdo cafés, check parking in advance to make getting around easier.
Nearby Attractions
After touring the Open Port Street area, you can round out a full-day course by also visiting nearby spots such as Wolmido, Dong-gu, and Songdo. We’ve chosen places where exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and walks blend well, all within a manageable travel distance.
19-8, Sinpo-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungang-dong 4-ga)
A complex cultural space where you can feel Incheon’s modern culture from the port-opening era
Great for enjoying indoor exhibitions and performance programs in connection with an Open Port stroll.
Distance: 0.3 km
33, Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (Bukseong-dong 1-ga)
A culture and arts platform built on a former railway site
Through exhibitions and experience programs, you can encounter another cultural face of Incheon.
Distance: 0.7 km
3-3, Eochon-ro 5beon-gil, Dong-gu, Incheon (Manseok-dong, Manseok 3 Uri Jip)
A unique neighborhood tour program themed around comics and books
A good course for a light walk while recalling childhood memories.
Distance: 1.0 km
52, Geumgok-ro, Dong-gu, Incheon (Geumgok-dong)
A small brewery where you can glimpse local brewing culture
Well-suited for those who want to hear stories related to traditional liquor.
Distance: 1.8 km
7, Maesohol-ro 290beon-gil, Michuhol-gu, Incheon (Hakik-dong, Incheon Upcycle Eco Center)
An experience and exhibition space themed around the environment and upcycling
A nice place to visit if you want to add stories of sustainable cities to your history course.
Distance: 4.5 km
120, Bongojae 1-ro, Seo-gu, Incheon (Gajeong-dong)
A facility for learning about disaster and safety through hands-on education
Ideal for families to experience safety education together with children.
Distance: 7.4 km
29, Jeonggak-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon (Guwol-dong)
A public cultural space like a garden in the city
Good for a light walk to clear your head after the history course.
Distance: 7.8 km
42, Convensia-daero 230beon-gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Songdo-dong)
An indoor experiential leisure and play space
A good place for families to enjoy regardless of the weather.
Distance: 9.5 km
Mix indoor and outdoor facilities to create a course that can adapt to changes in the weather.
Getting There
Public Transportation — The area around 27, Jemullyang-ro 232beonan-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (Jungang-dong 2-ga) is about a 7-minute walk from Incheon Station. If you take a bus, get off at “Jung-gu Office” stop and walk from there.
By Car — From within Incheon, head toward Jung-gu and then use one of the public parking lots near Incheon Open Port Street. Check the locations of nearby public parking lots in advance, such as the Nouveau Platform Public Parking Lot, to help with route planning.
Outdoor heritage sites may have restricted access in rain or snow, so check the weather forecast before your visit.
Closing
From Incheon Open Port Street to the Ganghwa Peace Observatory and the War Museum, this course brings you face to face with painful history from the modern port-opening era through the Korean War and division. Instead of flashy attractions, quiet alleys, exhibitions, markets, and observatories gently speak to you, naturally slowing your pace.
Remembering bitter wounds can be a heavy experience, but such memories also give us the strength to look anew at today’s peace and everyday life. If you set aside a day to walk this path, you will likely carry with you long-lasting thoughts and a small sense of comfort even after you return to your daily routine.
