Incheon Grand Park

In Jangsu-dong, Namdong-gu, set against the slopes of Gwanmosan and Sangasan, lies Incheon's largest park. Covering about 2.66 km² and attracting close to 4 million visitors a year, it is one of the main green escapes of the Seoul metropolitan area, with a lake, forest trails, an arboretum, a children's zoo and a campsite all inside its boundaries. Entry is free and it opens from 05:00 until late evening, so it works for anything from an early-morning walk to a weekend picnic.

How the park grew

Work on Incheon Grand Park began in the early 1990s, and it opened in April 1996. Facilities were added over the years: the children's zoo in 2001, the Future Environment Hall, an exhibition on environmental issues, in 2007, and the arboretum in 2008. In 2008 the city also began charging admission, but after local opposition the park went back to free entry in 2010. That same year the duo UV released a song simply called "Incheon Grand Park".

Things to do

• Lake and paths: past the large square inside the main gate are the lake and lawns, with paths around the park that suit walking and cycling.
• Incheon Arboretum: themed gardens of conifers, broadleaf trees, pines, peonies, herbs and wetland plants.
• Children's zoo: close to the south gate and easy to visit briefly with children.
• Future Environment Hall and wood culture centre: environmental exhibitions and hands-on woodworking programmes.
• Forest and seasonal facilities: a forest-healing centre in the "Azalea Stream Forest", a campsite, a winter sledding slope, a dog park and various sports grounds.
• Gwanmosan walk: trails up the wooded hill that wraps around the park give views over the park and the surrounding city.

The south gate's cherry blossom avenue

In spring, old cherry trees form a tunnel from the south gate, right next to Incheon Grand Park Station, deep into the park. It is one of Incheon's best-known cherry blossom spots, and on peak weekends the roads around the south gate get crowded too. After dark, lights come on from the south gate, and many people come for the blossoms at night.

Tripto tips

• Opening: the park is open 05:00–23:00 in summer and 05:00–22:00 in winter, with free entry. The arboretum, children's zoo and Future Environment Hall close on Mondays.
• Time needed: about 1.5 hours for a walk around the lake, half a day with the arboretum and zoo.
• Best time: early April for cherry blossom and October–November for autumn colour. On blossom weekends, public transport is far easier than driving.
• Getting there: Incheon Subway Line 2 stops at Incheon Grand Park Station, right at the south gate. From the south plaza of Songnae Station on Seoul Subway Line 1, buses 8, 11, 14-1, 16-1, 30, 47 and 103-1 go to the main gate (for 14-1, 47 and 103-1, take the bus marked for the park).
• Parking: there are car parks at the main, south and rear gates, with fees charged during set hours (March–October 07:00–21:00, November–February 08:00–20:00). Campers mostly use the rear gate.