A Holistic Travel Guide To Incheon: 7 Relaxing Things To Do In South Korea's Charming City

Given how hectic life can get, I’m sure we all agree that we deserve a breather. Perhaps we need a change of scenery, or a place less populated -- somewhere perfect for us to take in some fresh air, clear our heads and leave our stress behind. If this fits your description, we have the perfect remedy for you.

During your next trip to South Korea, escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul city and head to Incheon, an increasingly popular tourist destination located just 30 minutes away from Seoul. Fill your day with relaxing activities that are perfect for recharging your mind, body, and soul!

Once Korea’s largest salt field, the Sorae Ecology Park is located near the Sorae Port and Fish Market. It holds great historical significance and has expanded to stretch over 3.5 million ㎡, giving it a vast and serene atmosphere and endless scenery for you to immerse yourself in.

As you gaze across the salt field, mudflat and wetlands, keep an eye out for the rich variety of plants and animals that call the park their home; or observe marine creatures in the marsh. During the warmer months, migratory birds drop by for a visit, attracting birdwatchers and photographers to catch a glimpse of some exclusive species.

For history and ecology lovers, with the previous salt storage converted into an ecology exhibition place, you’ll get your fair share of knowledge and fun at the Ecology Hall and Nature Learning Center, where you can learn about salt production and the park’s wildlife inhabitants.

Leaving the best for last, as one of the most popular features, you can’t say you’ve visited the Sorae Ecology Park without dropping by the three windmills in the middle of the park -- it’s right along the walking path, you can’t miss it! If you visit in the fall, you might catch the fields of silver grass that reflect light in different colours.

Run your fingers along Sochang, a type of cotton typically woven into blanket linings and diapers as you explore the Sochang Experience Center, significant for its status as the very first Sochang factory. Having more than 800 years of fabric manufacturing history, Ganghwado Island’s cotton industry dates back to the 13th century, taking you on a trip back in time to experience the textile revolution of this town through videos and old machinery displayed at the centre. Moreover, you’ll witness the process of producing cotton. The tedious process requires a lot of work from bleaching to starching and drying, but the beautiful creations make it all worth it though, and you’ll only get the finest quality cotton Korea has to offer.

If you want to bring a piece of the unique culture home, you’re in luck because you get to have a hands-on experience with the Sochang fabric yourself! The Sochang Experience Center hosts workshops allowing you to customise your own handkerchief with stamps and dyes. What’s more, it’s free. Isn’t it the perfect activity for visitors of all ages?

Psst, cafe lovers. If you haven’t had enough of Sochang factories, you can actually enjoy a cup of coffee and spend an afternoon in one! Walk further along to visit the Joyangbangjik factory, where long workbenches are converted to coffee tables, and the area into a gallery space. The cotton factory-turned café definitely does the industrial aesthetic justice.

Your spirit might need a break from all the stress you pile on, and we all deserve time to unwind from hectic schedules, never-ending meetings, and deadlines. Get rid of the tension in your shoulders and back by paying a visit to the Jeondeungsa Temple, the oldest temple in the region, where you can cleanse your mind and reach a state of mindfulness surrounded by rich history. 

Its geographic location plays a part in removing you from city life; When you make your way up the mountain, you’ll find that the temple is enclosed in a fortress. Jeondeungsa Temple was originally a sanctuary allegedly built by the three sons of Dangun, Korea’s founder. The main Daeungbojeon Hall is an architectural work of art, decorated with intricate carvings above the Buddha statue displays mastery of woodwork skills, with designs along every corner, wall and column on the grounds. 

The temple welcomes visitors to join retreat programmes for a period away from social media, perfect for those in need of a detox. The Ssdam Ssdam templestay is an experiential Buddhist culture program that will help you to detach from your distractions and get in touch with yourself, and you commit to a vegan vegetarian diet for the weekend. Free-style temple stays are also available for up to five days.

Kdramas including Hotel del Luna, When My Love Blooms, The Secret Life of My Secretary, Her Private Life and more have all taken the city by storm, and what’s more intriguing than the storyline itself is to be able to step into the shoes of the main characters. So, what if we told you the thing all of the dramas above have in common is that they all feature Paradise City? See how you can remake your own version of some romantic scenes in this extravagant place that screams glamour and style.

With a focus on art-tainment, Paradise City brings out the inner artist in everyone. It is a close distance from the Incheon International Airport, and consists of a resort, the Art Paradiso, the plaza to grab a bite, and a museum open to all. It is guaranteed that your experience at Paradise City will be nothing short of pure relaxation and healing, as you appreciate the artistic vibe and immerse yourself in the resort that cannot merely be described as a simple stay at a hotel. The price is steep, but it will be worth every penny.

In need of a good night’s rest? The Nest Hotel prides itself in setting the perfect ambiance for personal time, as they call themselves “your personal hideout”, encouraging you to get in touch with nature. You’ll find yourself drawn to their minimalistic and contemporary design emphasizing comfort, and it’s probably great news to you that they have an infinity pool and spa.

Given its close proximity to the surrounding golf resort, Masian tideland, different beaches, the Incheon Bridge Memorial Hall, Yeongjongdaegyo bridge and more, you don’t need much else for a blissful getaway.   

For some, there is no place more freeing than the ocean, with the cool wind in your hair and the sound of the waves putting you at ease. Wangsan Marina aims to make the sea accessible to everyone, and you can experience exactly that with their yacht tours to the surrounding islands around Ganghwado. Each of the routes have their unique flair and exclusive itinerary so that you can explore each island to their full capacity, as they feature eye-opening scenery and natural wonders.

In addition, as an all-in-one stop for water sport enthusiasts, they also facilitate activities such as fishing and providing sailing courses for those interested. As they continuously expand, you can expect to find more fun and relaxing things to do there. It is easily accessible near Incheon Port and the airport, and nearer the facility you can find the Wangsan and Eurwangni Beaches where you can take a dip and surf the waves under pleasant weather.

We all know of the phrase “Good food, good mood” While we’re on the theme of water activities, we have a great spot for you to satisfy your seafood cravings. Make a stop at Yeongjongdo, an island filled with beaches and seafood restaurants where you can eat to your heart’s content. 

You can choose to head there via ferry, or put a check next to another sightseeing spot, Yeongjong Grand Bridge, that links the island to the mainland. On Yeongjongdo, you will see fishermen heaving barrels of their catches straight from the boat and into large clear water tanks at the Yeongjong Pier market… seafood doesn’t get any fresher than that! Make your pick of seafood or let the aunties and uncle tell you what’s in season, select how you’d want the seafood to be prepared and watch as it gets whisked straight to the kitchen at the restaurants nearby. All you have to do now is wait and be served. On a side note, we’ve heard that the grilled clams at Yeongjongdo are to die for, so do give them a try!

Wrapping up our trip, Incheon has no shortage of sights and activities for you to add to your itinerary on your next visit. Leaving one bustling city for another just keeps our minds occupied with work, but this part of Korea contains rich history and culture that frees you from stress, while providing you a whole new perspective on Korea.