Hotels in Incheon

Incheon is where most visitors to Korea first touch down — Incheon International Airport, on a reclaimed island west of the city, is the main gateway to Seoul an hour away, and for many travellers that is exactly what Incheon is: a convenient, cheaper airport base rather than a destination. But it rewards a look. It has Korea's only official Chinatown, established in 1884, where the noodle dish jjajangmyeon was invented, and the futuristic planned district of Songdo, built from scratch on reclaimed land as one of the first smart cities.

The seafront at Wolmido, a landing point in General MacArthur's decisive 1950 Incheon operation, is now a nostalgic strip of rides and raw-fish restaurants. Do not expect an old, romantic city — much of it is new and functional. Stay near the airport for a transit night, or in Songdo or Chinatown for a fuller day.