[Incheon] - Scenic Songdo

We missed our city tour bus and didn't want to wait for the next bus which will be coming in about half an hour time. We checked with the receptionist from G-tower, and he said it's possible to walk to Central Park, so we just followed the canal walk all the way...

Songdo City was developed as part of a ‘Free Economic Zone’ on the edge of Incheon, which was itself was developed as a satellite city of Seoul, is now proudly presenting South Korea as an advanced capitalist economy.
 

 Songdo has apparently become one of the most popular filming sites for Korean dramas.

 Let's have a look at some of the iconic landmarks in Songdo...

 Songdo Central Park (송도센트럴공원)

 

 In the heart of the high-tech business district mixed with skyscrapers and

residential complexes of Songdo, they created this beautiful park.



 GCF Bridge (GCF 브릿지)
 

It sits across a 4-kilometre-long man-made waterway that runs through the park. It doesn't only serve to beautify the place, another purpose is to prevent urban heat.

 

Using the latest technology, it's able to recycle seawater and purify itself every 24 hours.


This park was inspired by New York City's Central Park.

We weren't even feeling tired strolling here despite the fact that it was super cold in Apr.
You can actually have a ride on the water taxi to enjoy the view too. 

 

 

There are some unique art displays and sculptures installed along the promenade...

Trumpet Pasoss (파소스) is an instrument to deliver
messages or wishes to loved ones or God.

Can you find the mask of Korea on the "The Face of Global" monument sculpture?

Tri-Bowl Multiplex Cultural Center (송도 트라이볼)

  Tri-Bowl is a multi-complex culture hub and arts centre.

It holds a variety of performances, exhibitions, and educational programs. 

The unique neo-futuristic architecture seems as though it is floating on water.

 It symbolizes Incheon, a city in harmony with the sky, ocean, and earth. 

POSCO Tower

Lake 1 Bridge (호수 1교)

Songdo Hanok Village (송도한옥마을)

     It is home to a hotel and several stores as well as some cafes and restaurants that specialize in

organic and fusion food. The complex is situated right next to

Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon (경원재 앰배서더 인천).

NC Cube Canal Walk (NC큐브 커넬워크)

We visited this giant shopping mall after enjoying our evening stroll at Central Park.

The complex is divided into four zones named after the four seasons:

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

There's a shallow canal with different themes. 

With shops and restaurants lining both sides.

We underpredicted April's weather that year. I was literally shivering because it was so cold,

especially when the wind blew. Hence, I bought myself a sweater from Spao and quickly

added another layer to keep myself warm.

Ms Cho, a staff from Jjajangmyeon Museum came to pick us from here

to Hyundai Premium Outlet for yummy dinner.

 Btw, I second the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decision to select
Songdo Central Park as one of the ‘100 Must-Visit Spots in Korea’ in 2019.

Please put it in your bucket list if you've not visited here yet, you'll surely love Songdo as much as I do, maybe partly because of their cute baby cherry blossom trees...

Related Posts:

 

  Songdo G-Tower (송도 G타워)

Jjajangmyeon Museum (짜장면박물관)

Jaman Mural Village (자만벽화마을)

Jaman Mural Village is just a stone's throw away from Omokdae Pavilion...

 But because we didn't have catapult to fling us like Angry Birds, 

so we'd to walk and cross this bridge to go there.

 Going up by steps as it's quite steep, it might be alright by 

holding the railing but piling snow obstructed the path.

Let's take this magic bus to find Totoro in this neighborhood...

First, let's catch those two Totoros up there!

This hamlet sitting on the mountain with about 40 houses were brilliantly
refurbished with paintings that giving lively impression on their walls.
  

Now, the narrow alleys looks more artistic and colorful with these giant murals 

which gaining numbers of tourists to visit Jaman Mural Village.

You can find from oriental, funky, and also something 

romantic like these lovers murals...

It's quite pretty but some parts were peeled off or faded,

and vandalized with wordings.

But some still look new like this Andy Warhol pop art with vibrant colors. 

Playful and cute cartoon characters...

One of kids' favorites murals... swinging spiderman~!

Too bad this cafe was closed, else it'll be nice to sit at the terrace...

and enjoy the surrounding views of Hanok Village in Jeonju at the foothill.

National Intangible Heritage Center (국립무형유산원)

also seen from here... 

Actually there are many unique cafes and galleries up there,

but not sure whether it's because it's cold winter day

or it's quite late when we're there, lots of cafes not opened...

Finally we found one cafe selling Bibimbap Waffle at DuImo Cafe.

We continued to explore this village and snap more photos that enough to make your instagram gallery more colorful.

Flowers and trees were up on the walls too,

 

 Buildings and structures too.

 

Traditional and Modern Ladies.

 Did you know that this village also filled with fairytale murals too?

Actually, you can find some murals at guest houses and cafes in Jeonju Hanok Village too (photos here). Our main purpose was to look for Totoro mural because kids wanted their Totoro bags and small soft toys to say hello and meet their Totoro family there.

 

Kids love Totoro since they watched the movie 'My Neighbor Totoro'.

From this photo, it looks like printed as it's so detailed, make me wondering who's the artist of this mural. Kids must be extremely happy if they can move this wall to their bedroom.

Totoro mural same as my daughter's birthday cake in 2009,

which I personally customised it with her photos.

 

We rushed back to the hotel without a single photo of Totoro because my son finger was cracking and bleeding because it's too dry. Me and my hubby didn't see this mural, as he was helping me to take photos. However, kids saw the mural because they wandering themselves.

A big thanks to Soon Heong, my hubby's friend that helped me to 

take the above photos of Totoro and Spirited Away murals for me. 

He asked me some recommended places to visit in Korea, so I suggested him to go to Jeonju. When he was there last week and texted that he's on the way to Omokdae and Jaman mural, I asked him a favor to snap those murals for me. Thank you!^^

Took small step and supported myself with the stone wall... 

didn't want to tumble down and damage my hanbok.

It's getting dark and dropping temperature.

Do visit earlier so you can take more vivid photos with sunlight. If you love to take selfie, you'll need about one hour to stroll along the alleyways. We spent about 2 hours as we rested and enjoy some snacks and drinks there.

 See you again Mr Smiley Snowman!

 

Give them your tears (당신의 눈물  대신울어 줄게요).

No, I want to give you hugs and sweet smile to wipe off all your tears! 

 Another way to go to Jaman Mural Village if you're not from Omokdae

is from Girin-daero Hanbyeognu Bus Stop (Bus No. 163, 190, 191, 429).

We waited for the taxi to go back to hotel from this bus stop.

Walking course map in Jaman Mural Village.

Add: Gyo-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si.