You don’t need to go to China to experience the Chinese culture. Around the world every big city has it’s very own China Town to explore and experience and Korea is no different. You might think that China Town in Korea would be in Seoul, but you would be wrong. Instead it’s in the satellite city of Incheon.

KICK ASS KOREA reason 11

On the weekend we descended upon China Town armed with cameras and a hungry appetite for knowledge and Chinese food.  The area known as China Town began way back in 1884 as a consulate for the Ching dynasty. It’s here that Chinese Koreans began to set up shop and a home with trade as the back bone of the economy. Merchants, traders, sailors and the like began to settle in the area as relations between the two countries increased.

Wandering around China Town for the day will be a worthwhile way to spend your afternoon. With over 126 years of history the area boasts a cultural space that will keep you intrigued and entertained.  One of the first things sites to welcome you to China Town is the first Paeru gate. It’s the huge stone gate donated by Weihishi and is now known as the beloved symbol for the area. This traditional Chinese gate stands at the entrance of China town. It represents the harmony between Chinese architecture and cultural arts.

Walking straight up the hill we stopped by the Buksong Community Service Center. A huge display of Chinese lanterns adorns one of the walls while outside in the courtyard awaits a golden Chinese dragon. Further up the hill leads to a crossroads. To the left awaits Sky Hill. Here several groups of steps lead up to the third Paeru gate and Jayu Park. Colorful murals decorate both sides of the stairs portraying such scenes as the Forbidden City, the Chinese Opera, and the Great Wall among others.  At the top of the staircase the view of the Incheon Port can be taken in.

After the stairs you can take in the Street of medium-low price products! Who needs to say discount when you can say all that instead? This is also the street where you can find the delicious snack Gonggalppang. The bread is made right in the shop with the baker pounding out and rolling the dough, slathering on a sugary goodness before popping it into the oven. While baking the bread expands with air to become a pillow like hollow loaf of baked goodness. Whether you eat it straight from the oven or after it cools your taste buds will be in for a treat. Expect to wait for one of these babies as we did for thirty minutes. The wait is worth every second. Also pick up a few Wolbyoeng otherwise known as Moon cakes. These tiny cakes are a combination of egg, red bean paste, and dried fruit. They are typically given as a gift to neighbors on August 15^th of the lunar calendar to wish them well.

Heading in the opposite direction brings you to a street full of restaurants. Here queuing  for a table can mean waiting for over an hour for the more popular places. Don’t worry though because you’ll have your hands full sampling the goods on the many tables the street vendors have set up. Whether it’s a snack, a toy, a Chinese fan or a god luck charm you’re sure to find it. This is where you can sample the Korean style Chinese dish known as jagangmyeon. It’s made from the noodle along with black bean paste, vegetables, and ground pork.

Afterwards, heading up the hill going north east you’ll find the Samgukji Mural which depicts scenes from the novel The Three Kingdoms. Every major event of the story is lovingly painted in great detail for you to enjoy, especially if you are a player of the Three Kingdoms console game whereby you can relive the game and history all over again. Continuing on you’ll come to the Confucius statue which is just around the corner from Jayu Park.

China Town has lots to offer. Whether it’s the food, the tea, the shopping or the whole kit and caboodle it’s a wonderful area for a day trip.

Check out the Video at the bottom of the page!

Directions:

Last Stop Incheon Station line Number 1

Bus number 2, 15, 23, 28 or 45 and exit at Incheon Station.