Incheon through the eyes of university students!
The story of Incheon Nat’l Univ.
students who published an Asian Games tourist guide
Writer Kim Ha-neul
Photographer Jang Hyeon-seon
The Incheon Asian Games are just around the corner. The host city Incheon haspursued lots of activities for the grand event, and its residents are no exception.
Volunteer activities, civic supporters and a welcoming campaign, are among promotional efforts that are about to get results. Among them, an Incheon tourist guide published by university students has become the talk of the town. Incheon in their eyes is so fun and energetic.
Making a tourist guide as an assignment The Incheon Asian Games was not the only reason students and business management faculty at Incheon National University to put their heads together to promote Incheon.
Last year, 40 students took a class in tourism management taught by professor Lee Gi Dong, and then later banded together to present the tourist attractions of Incheon from the perspective of young people.
Lee Chung Hyun, a senior majoring in management, said, “A study on tourist attractions started as part of the class but in studying each area,it encouraged me to create great results from it. Incheon is a special place where traditional and modern cultures coexist including prehistoric sites and the treaty port." Students were split into 10 teams and started visiting and studying tourist attractions in Incheon. Lee’s team selected to explore the island of Ganghwado, one of the symbols of Incheon.
Overnight stays on Ganghwado was not that easy. Just one team member, Jo Dong Yun was born in Incheon and the rest were unfamiliar with the city as they were from other regions. Jo said “I’ve been to many places in Incheon but in the visit with my friends this time. Ganghwado gave me a completely different feeling. I’m happy to introduce Incheon by visiting and experiencing the places”.
Must-see places in Incheon Ten teams including Lee's completed their study in April. Their stories have filled the tourist guide ”Incheon Tour by University Students. “We’ve divided Incheon into 10 areas. Different from administrative districts like gu (ward) or gun (county), we selected places that remind people of Incheon and make them want to visit” Jo said.
The 300-page book starts with a story about the western coastal area of Incheon and introduces the cultural street of Bupyeong on Ganghwado from the perspective of university students, the city’s free economic zone, Songdo International Business District and the street of youth and culture in the Guwol -dong neighborhood.
Surely, old Songdo and old Incheon Korea’s oldest Chinatown, the quay, Sorae Fish Market and Dong (east) Incheon were selected as tourist attractions with history that connects Incheon both past and present. Modern historical places that developed around the treaty port and coast are also must-see spots for university students.
“Frankly, it wasn’t easy for we students to travel there more than three times at our own expense.
Fortunately, I feel our efforts are paying off as our work has been published and used as a guide for the upcoming Asian Games,” Lee said.
“Incheon Tour by University Students” will be published both in Korean and English to celebrate the Incheon Asian Games. The guide provides detailed information on transportation, restaurants and reviews in Incheon as well as photos of all tourisy attractions. Enjoy a pleasant and distinctive experience in Incheon from the perspective of young people.
