Sorae Wetland Ecology Park

In Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong-gu, right behind Sorae Port, Incheon's old salt pans and tidal flats have been turned into a large nature park. Sorae Wetland Ecology Park covers about 1.51 million m² of salt marsh crossed by tidal creeks, reed beds and fields dotted with windmills. Reachable from the city by subway, it is a place to see mudflat life and migrating birds up close.

From salt pans to wetland

This was the site of the Sorae salt pans, built under Japanese colonial rule. Beside mudflats flooded by the tide twice a day, seawater was evaporated into sea salt, and boats came up the tidal creeks to carry it away. The salt pans produced salt until 1996. After they closed, Incheon City set about restoring the mudflats, creeks and abandoned pans as wetland habitat for wildlife and a resting place for migratory birds, and the park opened to the public when the work was completed in May 2009.

What to see

• Salt marsh and tidal creeks: Boardwalk trails lead past creeks where the tide flows in and out and colonies of salt-tolerant plants. Plants such as seepweed, whose name in Korean refers to its changing colours, turn red from late summer, tinting the flats purple. On the mud, crabs pop in and out of their burrows with claws raised, and birds forage for food.
• Windmills and reeds: The three windmills standing in the fields are the park's emblem. Photographed in silhouette at sunrise or sunset against late-autumn golden reeds, they make classic shots.
• Trails and hides: The park's trails add up to about 10 km, with bird-watching hides and observation decks along the way. There is also a seawater foot bath where you can soak your feet.
• Restored salt pan: Part of the old works has been brought back to life, from reservoir to evaporation ponds to crystallisation beds, so you can see how seawater becomes salt.
• Ecology exhibition hall: The ground floor is divided into four zones on salt-marsh ecology, Incheon's mudflats, the restored salt pans and salt; the floor above has a 70-seat video room, and the rooftop observatory on the third level looks out over Sorae Port, the mudflats and a bird refuge.

Tripto tips

• Exhibition hall: Admission is free. It is open 10:00–18:00, shortened to 10:00–17:30 in winter. Official notices give last entry as either 30 minutes or an hour before closing, so aim to be inside by 17:00. It is closed on Mondays, on the day after public holidays, on 1 January and over the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. Groups must book in advance.
• Parking: For a car, the park car park charges KRW 300 for the first 30 minutes and KRW 150 per 15 minutes after that, up to KRW 3,000 for a full day.
• Getting there: The nearest station is Soraepogu on the Suin–Bundang Line, about a 20-minute walk from the park entrance.
• When to go: The park is at its best from late summer into autumn, when the salt plants turn red, and in late autumn when the reeds turn gold. There is little shade, so in summer come early in the morning or towards sunset.
• Time needed: Allow 1.5–2 hours for the exhibition hall and a loop of the trails. Add the fish market at Sorae Port for a half-day outing.