KoreaScapes

Nestled in Mt. Eungbongsan in Incheon Metropolitan City, Jayu Park was first called Manguk Park and then Seo Park as the Japanese power became stronger. During the colonial rule of Japan, there was another park called Dong Park (East Park), which was created and used as a shrine by the Japanese.

Jayu Park, or park of Freedom, has held its name ever since October 3, 1957 when a statue of General McArthur, who led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War, was erected at the summit of Mt. Eungbongsan. The park offers spectacular views of downtown Incheon and its surrounding mountains, the port, and the sea.

Incheon’s Chinatown is Korea’s only official Chinatown. It is in Jung-gu and was formed in 1884. It claims to be the largest Chinatown in South Korea, and features an 11-meter high Chinese-style gateway, or paifang. As of 2007 few ethnic Chinese live in the Incheon Chinatown. There are both many food and various attractions in Incheon chinatown.

Located in Sinpo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, Sinpo Market (3,300㎡) dates back to the late 19th century when vendors began selling fresh vegetables to the Japanese, Chinese, and Westerners who settled in the area. Sinpo Market was officially registered as a market in 1970 and now boasts over 140 stores.

An increasing number of tourists and international merchants have visited Incheon by ferries and cruise ships, turning the local market into an international shopping area over the past few decades. The information desk and office at the market even provide a variety of services (translation services, trade and shopping information, etc.) for tourists and merchants from home and abroad.

The most famous item of the market is dakgangjeong, a Korean dish of crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce.