Songdo Island District

Songdo Island District

In Incheon, Songdo District is one of my favorite Districts in South Korea due to its peaceful, serene, and less crowded parks and streets. Besides, it is considered a green city with modern facilities.

As our house is only a 40-minute ride by subway to Songdo, I often visit the District at least twice a year for both work and leisure!

What I love most about this District is that there are plenty of spaces and parks to explore and do anything you want, such as strolling, jogging, morning and evening exercise, bicycling, shopping, dining, and anything you can possibly think of.

In this article, I want to share and describe to you the main features that you can explore and enjoy as a guest or transient traveler. Most parks and facilities are accessible for free except for the private business facilities and establishment.

For your information, if you don't know yet, Songdo Island District is excellent for travelers traveling alone, with friends, or with a family with small children. And you can stay at any hotels and accommodation within the district comfortably.

Alright, let me start featuring Songdo City's available offers for your memorable trip.

A sight of Songdo Central Park

Tri-Bowl Architecture

Tri-Bowl building seems to me the symbol of Songdo as it is being featured in most advertisements. It is a beautiful and futuristic style of architecture.

It is the so-called 'tri-bowl' because they look like the actual three bowls sitting side-by-side atop a water pool.

Some described it as an upside-down cone hat and considered it the first one in the world. The three bowls or tri-bowl stands for "sky (airport)", "ocean (port)", and "land (metro transport)".

Tri-bowl also symbolizes Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ)--Cheongla (leisure), Yeongjong (distribution), and Songdo (business)--as comprising these three international business districts.

The Tri-Bowl was built as a venue for people to watch performances, art exhibitions, and related activities. You can watch and see them if you reserve a ticket in advance.

Because of its creative and attractive architectural design, Tri-Bowl received the Architecture Culture Grand Prize during the Korean Architecture Awards in 2010.

Certainly, Tri-Bowl is beautiful during the day-time, but is also more mesmerizing in the evening, especially when lights glow within the sides of each bowl.

Tri-Bowl Multiplex Cultural Center

Tri-Bowl Multiplex Cultural Center, Songdo Island District

Please, see the following useful information...

Website: www.tribowl.kr
Location/Address: 250 Incheon Tower-Daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Inquiry: 032-760-1014
Getting there by Subway: Take Incheon Subway Line 1 and proceed to Exit 4 of Central Park Station and enjoy

Songdo Central Park

After enjoying the Tri-Bowl structure and its facilities, you will notice and be surprised that you are in Songdo Central Park, where leisure facilities and activities abound.

The Central Park, probably reflecting those popular central parks in the world's cities, has the Songdong Central Park West Boathouse and East Boathouse.

Songdo Central Park is South Korea's first seawater park, with over 400 thousand square meters. The most noticeable features you will see are the five theme gardens...

green grass garden
sculpture garden
formal garden
stroll garden, and
terrace garden

The Park is very ideal as it is refreshing to rest with its Eco-friendly facilities. Silver grass, flowering plants, and trees of various species are everywhere.

Songdo Central Park's canal and apartment views

Rent any exciting water activity at Songdo Island District's Central Park

Hanok (traditional Korean structures) hotel and restaurants in Songdo

You should try enjoying the waterway or canal in this Park. Purchase a ticket at the West Boathouse to take the water boat (or 'taxi') that will ferry you on a course of about 20 minutes.

On the water taxi, you will have a fantastic sight of the charming Central Park and enjoy the Rabbit Island, Deer Farm, Manneken Piss, and Dolphin Structure, besides the towering modern apartments beyond them.

If you love something more actively, head to the East Boathouse, where you can rent a water activity facility such as the transparent canoe, kayak, boat, and also bicycle.

At the East Boathouse, you can take your rest at the restaurants or the cafes nearby.

Now, if you are getting excited to ride any of those water activity facilities, please check out the useful information below...

Water Taxi Fee: 4,000 KRW (note this rate could change without any advance notice)
West Boathouse Operation Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
Rents: Canoe 25,000 KRW; Family Boat 35,000 KRW
Phones: West Boathouse 070-4237-4609; East Boathouse 070-4189-4609
Getting There: Take Incheon Subway Line 1, get off at Technopark Station, and then proceed to Exit 2.

Pissing children statues at Songdo Central Park, Songdo Island District

Compact-Smart City

Compact-Smarty City is an exhibition facility that features informational and exciting insights into Incheon's history and how it became what it is today.

This exhibition center comprises a basement floor and four stories that exhibit the area's past, present, and glimpses of Incheon's future development.

You can explore and enjoy these exhibits at the Ancient and Modern Times Exhibition Hall, Incheon Miniature Hall, Experience Exhibition Hall, 5-D Theater, and 4-D theater.

On the ground floor, learn about Incheon's origin at the Ancient and Modern Times Exhibition Hall.

On the second floor, see the miniature City at the Incheon Miniature Hall and other informational videos about Songdo's progress.

Website: www.compactsmartcity.com
Location/Address: 238 Incheon Tower-Daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Inquiry: 032-850-6000, 6015
Operation Hours: 09:00~18:00
Admission: FREE; General visitors (free viewing), but reservations are needed for groups and VIPs of over 10 people.

Tours: customized viewing for 30 minutes, 50 minutes, and one hour
Closed Days: New Year's Day, Lunar New Year's Holiday, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), and every Monday (center open on the ordinary holiday and closed next day

Hyundai Premium Outlets

Hyundai Premium Outlets Songdo offers the widest choices of products as it is the biggest one in Songdo Island District. You can purchase premium market products with standard quality food and beverage supplies.

You can enjoy its garden terrace and its dining spaces through its pub, cafe, restaurants, and relaxing facilities. Hyundai Premium Outlets is also the best place in Songdo to choose from a wide array of designer products.

For your inquiry: 032-727-2233
Business Hours : 10:30~20:30 (Mon~Thu), 10:30~21:00 (Fri~Sun), 10:30-22:00 (Restaurants)

Incheon Bridge Observatory

You will enjoy the best view of Incheon Bridge from Incheon Bridge Observatory. From its Ocean Scope, you will have a panorama of Songdo City's mudflats, the bridge, and the magnificent sunset over the Yellow Sea.

Incheon Bridge is still considered the longest bridge so far in South Korea. Other famous bridges in the country can be found in Busan City, such as the Gwangan Bridge.

At night, you will see the Incheon Bridge with changing and mesmerizing colors with 3-D LED lighting.

For Inquiries, please, contact the Incheon Tourist Information Center using the following phone number: 032-1330

G-Tower Building

G-Tower (G stands for 'green,' 'growth,' and 'global') houses the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ), aside from a building that is home to international organizations.

Some of the international organizations are the Green Climate Fund (GCF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and other UN agencies.

G-Tower has various facilities, including cafes, convenience shops, terraces, showrooms, exhibition rooms, and related offices that promote Songdo's development programs and projects.

The building is built with Eco-friendly facilities that are about 17 percent energy self-sufficient, employing solar energy for lighting, heating, and other usage of the sun's renewable energy.

G-Tower at the Central Park of Songdo Island District, Incheon City

Public Facilities
Free bicycle rental (please ask the Information Desk on the first floor of this building)
IFEZ Promotion Center (33rd floor)
Sky Garden (29th floor, open only on weekdays)
Cafeteria (29th floor, lunch on weekdays: 11:30~13:30, dinner on weekdays (17:30~19:00)
G-Tower I-VISION (33F)

Website: https://www.ifez.go.kr
Operation Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM
Location/Address: 175 Art Center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Inquiry: 032-120

NC Cube Canal Walk

NC Cube Canal Walk is inspired by the European street malls where guests can walk along the canal and spend their leisurely shopping.

The canals that run between the shopping buildings are also lined with exciting work of art sculptures adding beauty to the area.

The commercial establishments comprise four themes similar to the four seasons of Korea--spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Getting There: Take Incheon Subway Line 1 and get off at Central Park Station, and then head to Exit 4.
Inquiry: 032-723-6300
Business Hours: 10:30~22:00
Parking Area: Has a capacity for about 2,000 cars.

Haeddoji Park & Hill

I have enjoyed the top of Haedjoji Park many times. This public space a symbol of nature in Songdo. In fact, the name 'haeddoji' means sunrise in the Korean language. Yes, you can see the amazing sunrise from its top.

You will see various theme facilities from the hilltop, including the Music Fountain Plaza, Dream of a Whale, Ground Fountain, Ocean of Information. Of course, you need to get there as they're not on the hill.

From Haeddoji Park's hilltop, you have a great panoramic view of the surroundings, such as the island's facilities, buildings, the distant islands, and even the Incheon International Airport.

Location / Address: 51, Haedoji-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

Michuhol Park & Get Pearl Culture Center

This cultural area offers traditional and artistic items and an atmosphere that delights your sense of art and beauty. Also, Michuhol Park symbolizes the historical and cultural aspects of Songdo City itself.

The Park's sculptures include the Statues of the Twelve Zodiac Animal Deities, a Cow-piper Boy, and other facilities such as Inhwaru Tower and a pond.

Location/Address: 59, Haesong-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Get Pearl Culture Center and Daryewon Traditional Experience: call phone number: 032-466-5621 for reservations
Website: http://kbculture.co.kr

Lotte Mart & Hi Mart

Lotte Mart in Songdo is one of the best places to get discount products on the island. It is the first mega discount store where you can purchase household and food supplies, including kimchi, ramyeon, spicy chili paste, and more.

Aside from a one-shop store for toys, pet food, and appliance center, you can have meals at its fast-food restaurants and food courts after shopping.

It is located close to the best hotels in the area including, Oakwood Premier Incheon, Sheraton Incheon Hotel, and Orakai Songdo Park Hotel.

Location/ Address: 177, Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Inquiry: 032-222-2500
Open Hours: 10:00~24:00 (weekdays), 09:00~24:00 (Saturdays) / Closed every second and fourth Sunday
Parking Area Capacity: about 600 cars

Available Incheon Tour Services

While staying in Songdo Island District, you can spend your day or days exploring the nearby towns and attractions by taking advantage of the tour service offers.

The tour service is being offered by the local government tourism with details as follows...

Operation Hours: 09:30 ~ 16:30 (Standard departure time / Closes every Monday)

And here is the day's itinerary...

Songdo ~ Wolmi ˙ Open Port Roundtrip Course
Incheon Station (China Town) - Harbor Park Hotel - G Tower (Canal Walk) - Solchan Park - Songdo Techno Park (Hyundai Premium Outlet) - Songdo Convensia (NEATT) - Central Park (Compact ˙ Smart City) - Memorial Hall For Incheon Landing Operation - Open Port Street (Art Platform) - Wolmi Traditional Park - Wolmi Culture Street - Incheon Station (China Town)

☎ +82-32-772-4000

Incheon Tour Service Fees
Middle/high school students to adults: 5,000 KRW
Children aged 36 months or older to elementary school students: 3,000 KRW
Physically challenged, people of national merit, senior citizens, aged: 3,000 KRW

A tall totem at Songdo Central Park

Comfortable & Safe Accommodation in Songdo Island District

The following hotels are the best hotels you can find on the island. Of course, there are others, but you need to ensure that you thoroughly enjoy and feel comfortable during your stay.

Oakwood Premier Incheon
Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel
Orakai Songdo Park Hotel
Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo
The Central Park Hotel Songdo
Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon
Songdo Hanok Village
Address: 200 Techno Park-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Tel: 032-729-1101
Website: http://www.gyeongwonjae.com/
https://visitincheon.or.kr/

Getting to Songdo Island District

From Incheon International Airport or Seoul, you can easily take any public transport--bus, taxi, or subway (metro).

Bus from Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Take the KAL Limousine (bus) from Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport and then get off at Orakai Songdo Park Hotel's bus stop. It is a 40-minute ride.

By Subway from Incheon Airport
Take an all-stop train from Terminal 1 (ICN) and transfer at Gyeyang Station (30 minutes) and transfer to Incheon Subway Line 1, then get off at Incheon National University Station (takes 50 minutes).

By Taxi from Incheon Airport (ICN)
Call a taxi at the airport's ground floor and state your destination to the driver (in Korean language or writing).

Thanks for reading this article. I hope this is useful. Please, let us know for any comments and suggestions.

Enjoy and safe travels!