Incheon is the 3rd biggest city in South Korea with a population of 3 million people. It was founded as Michuhol in the 18 BC, and the current name was turned to Incheon in 1413. So, the city is 2000 years old!
Nowadays the city is famous for its airport which is the primary airport in South Korea. In 2015 it was the world’s 22nd busiest airport by passenger traffic, with 49,4 million passengers.
Also, it is the 2nd largest seaport in South Korea.
Dongducheon city (blue on the map) starting from Soyosan station is connected with Incheon city (red) by the blue metro line, line #1, 200 km length and 92 stations (including sublines), what makes it the longest or one of the longest lines in the world. Believe me, it is such a torture to go for 1.5 hours one way, half-line – about 48 stations – a trip to the Toilet Museum.
I have been to the airport, but not in the city, the city must be explored! The exploration started from the Chinatown of Incheon.
Incheon. Chinatown. Street views.
Incheon Chinatown is the only official Chinatown in South Korea, and suppose to be the biggest one, it was formed in 1884. China–Korea Treaty of 1882 and the opening of the Incheon seaport provoked the formation of the Chinatown. Started from 63 Chinese in 1884, there’re about 50000 Chinese in Incheon by 2015.
The entrance gate to the Chinatown.
Here I can see modified Chinese culture, an adapted Chinatown in Korea, so, there’s no need to travel to China.
Two lions meet me next to the stair leading up to the hill. I let one drink sweet coffee to let me pass. Chinese guard lions have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. Pairs of guardian lion statues are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one sitting on each side of the entrance, in China and in other places around the world where the Chinese people have immigrated and settled, especially in local Chinatowns.
Each part on the stair hides ornaments and attributes of various oriental styles which harmonically coexist here.
I bet all the old people of my generation loved the cartoon about Jacky Chan and talismans, even now I remember how crazy I was about waiting for the new episodes or new seasons. The next stage on the stair let me feel closer to the world of the cartoon. By the way, many Ukrainians care about Chinese zodiac. I am a Rooster.

The gate on the way to the hill. The up-high view on the area of the Chinatown up to the sea opens here.
And here are some views of the Chinatown influenced by modern life. 
And the most delicious part of the trip to the Chinatown… A famous Chinese restaurant here. I have even heard some people speaking a kind of Chinese.
Snacks usually served in Korean restaurants. That must be a Korean influence of the restaurant. Onion and the turnip (I mentioned it when I was talking about the shop). Unknows black sauce. The onion isn’t spicy, I think it was stored in water for some time so the taste has changed.
So, here we have the onions and the same black sauce, maybe shrimps? So you take it and…
My face is very happy because I like to eat noodles.
Elegant vases near the exit of the restaurant. Me feeling like a vase with the free coffee in my hands.

Frozen strawberry covered with caramel, bingtanghulu. It is is a traditional Northern Chinese snack of candied. It is good to eat in the hot days, but one should hurry up, it is melting quickly.
I remember a middle-eastern seller who loudly asked children in Korean, “Hey, children, why don’t you buy some food?
And all the children in one voice loudly and slowly replied, “We don’t have money today!”
There’s Jayu (Freedom) Park on the hill I mentioned before. Such an interesting story! It was designed by Ukrainian architect Afanasy Seredin-Sabatin. He is the first European architect to live and work in the Korean Empire.
The park was opened in 1889, for the residents of foreign settlements in Incheon. During the Japanese colonial period, it was called West Park, and after liberation, it was called Mankuk Park. There’re few facilities in the park, including 100th Anniversary Memorial of Korea-US Diplomatic Relations (below).


The park is a great place for taking some photos.
So, that’s all about the Chinatown, let’s go to the next point!












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