Get a taste of traditional Korean design and culture in this charming garden, which is built in an old-fashioned style.
Head to lovely Wolmido Island to walk the elegant pathways of Wolmi Traditional Park, a beautifully manicured garden designed in the traditional Korean way. Despite being in large and bustling Incheon, the park has a wonderfully peaceful and rural atmosphere. Enjoy gorgeous views of the mountains and ocean waves that form the backdrop to this perfect daytrip destination.
Wolmido Island is now a thriving hub of activity for tourists and locals on a day out. However, it was once a significant military base which affected the outcome of the Korean War. The spot where Wolmi Traditional Park now stands previously housed a military barracks. Explore it today, though, and you won’t find much sign of the park’s past life. In place of austere sleeping quarters are photogenic ponds and streams, winding trails and plenty of fragrant flowers. The park was renovated in 2001.
Explore the graceful “Soswaewon” (the primary garden space) and take photos of the wonderful details of the ornate “Yangjindang” (a house built in the traditional style). Visit the hilltop observatory to be treated to breathtaking views of the ocean, the mountains, Incheon itself and the surrounding area.
Combine your trip to Wolmi Traditional Park with a visit to some of the other attractions on this popular island. For a change of pace, try some of the exhilarating rides at Wolmi Theme Park. Stop for lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants along the coast or have your portrait painted by a street artist on Culture Street.
Although Wolmi Traditional Park is officially located on an island, these days it is connected to the mainland by a highway. Simply catch a bus from Incheon subway station and head straight across the bridge. Come in the warmer months to see the garden at its finest, when its beautiful flowers come into full bloom. The park is usually open from very early in the morning until late at night, so it is possible to bring a picnic and spend many hours in this quiet and appealing place.
