Before introducing Yeongjongdo & Muuido in Incheon, Korea is already blanketed in the colors of autumn. The pleasantly cool weather, neither too hot nor too cold, is perfect for a fall getaway. In fact, autumn and spring are the best seasons to explore Korea.

Right now is the time! Let’s fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of autumn with blooming cosmos flowers and stunning fall foliage.

1. Introduction

Yeongjongdo(=Yeongjong island) is a coastal island on the western side of South Korea, home to Incheon International Airport, often referred to as the gateway to Korea. It’s a place that almost all foreign visitors to Korea end up visiting. As a result, there’s no need to venture far, and it’s a perfect place to begin and end your travels. Taking some time to explore this beautiful island separately is highly recommended.

I really enjoy driving around this island and have taken many trips here with friends. There’s nothing quite like it in the western part of Seoul.

When departing or arriving at Incheon International Airport, it’s a great idea to rent a car and embark on a one to two-day trip on Yongjong Island. Alternatively, if you arrive early in the morning on Yongjong Island, spending a day touring the area would be delightful. It is highly recommended to rent a car while exploring this place.

2. To do

I. Enjoy the Sunset on Yeongjongdo & Muuido in Incheon

As it’s an island situated to the west where the sun sets, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets from anywhere. You can savor the sunset while having dinner at a beachfront restaurant, or you can simply relax and enjoy it at a wonderful café.

Alternatively, you can pick any beach, sit on the sandy shore, and fully immerse yourself in the experience. I recommend Masiran Beach(마시안 해변) or Hanagae Beach(하나개 해수욕장).

Wherever you like, let’s take in a magnificent sunset. But please note that even on the island, you can head west to enjoy it.

Sometimes, by pure chance, you can catch a beautiful sunset while driving. This is a sunset video I captured on the way from Yeongjongdo Wharf to Geojampo Beach.

On that day, I was so happy.. it was a stroke of luck brought by serendipity.

II. Enjoying the sea

The western sea of Korea has extensive tidal flats. During high tide, the sea dominates, and during low tide, the tidal flats stretch out. So, during low tide, the sea might not look as beautiful, but it has its own unique charm, doesn’t it? There are many lovely cafes and seafood restaurants, so you can enjoy a meal and a cup of coffee while admiring the sea.

III. Yeongjong sea side rail bike

Rail bike is a multi-passenger bicycle commonly found at most of South Korea’s famous tourist destinations. It’s a vehicle where 2 to 4 people ride together, pedaling slowly as the wheels turn, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the surrounding scenery. You can do a round trip, and it’s worth trying at least once. If you don’t have the opportunity to ride it elsewhere, I recommend trying rail biking here on Yeongjongdo, Incheon. It’s also great for taking a walk along the nearby seaside.

• Address in Korean: 인천 중구 구읍로 75 씨사이드 레일바이크 관리사무실
• Homepage

IV. Hanagae Beach

The road from Yeongjongdo, passing through Jamjindo, to Muuido is simply stunning, making it a great place for a scenic drive. When you visit Hanagae beach on Muuido, you’ll find beautiful rock formations that are not commonly seen on regular beaches. Walking along the hiking trails, you can admire the exotic natural landscapes, which I personally find very appealing.

However, one drawback is that the parking area is unpaved and can get quite muddy on rainy days, so keep that in mind, especially if you’re using a rental car. I highly recommend going on a nice weather day, but on rainy days, it’s better to skip the visit.

Instead, if there’s heavy rain preventing you from reaching the beach, I still recommend making the drive to Muuido for the experience.

• Address in Korean: 인천광역시 중구 무의동 95-4
• Homepage

3. Accomodation

Within Yeongjongdo, there is a wide range of accommodations, from Airbnb to luxury hotels, thanks to Incheon International Airport. So, you can choose and book accommodations that suit your preferences.

4. Restautants

I’ve posted about restaurants and places to eat separately, so please refer to the link below.

Korea travel #6. Yeongjongdo, Incheon: 5 Restaurants and cafes You Won’t Regret (Part 1)

Korea travel #7. Yeongjongdo, Incheon: 5 Restaurants and cafes You Won’t Regret (Part 2)

Yeongjongdo in Incheon is a place that has always given me excitement, perhaps because of the presence of Incheon International Airport. During the pandemic when international travel was not an option, I often took drives there, just to be near the airport. I wanted to see planes up close, even if I couldn’t fly abroad. Watching planes take off and land from up close provided a sense of satisfaction, haha.

Airports seem to always be places like that, where they evoke the thrill of travel.

In that sense, how about starting or ending a trip in Korea on Yeongjongdo?