What comes to your mind when I mention Incheon? Incheon Airport? Or its famous Chinatown? Now, there is another tourist site to rejoice in this South Korea’s third largest city.
Next to the Incheon Chinatown is a magical wonderland – the Songwol-dong Fairytale Village!
As if a fairy has waved her magic wand over the neighbourhood, the once dilapidated district lined with old and shabby houses, was transformed into a quirky neighbourhood with vibrant fairy-tale-themed murals, thanks to a renovation project carried out by the village community.
In Korea, they love to furnish old building to give it a second life, unlike in Singapore, where old, historical sites or buildings were torn down once every few years to give way to the MRT or other commercial projects.
You have reached the entrance of Songwol-dong Fairytale Village when you see a rainbow arch-shaped gate with a colourful “송월동 동화마을” (Songwol-dong Fairytale Village) sign.
The run-down neighbourhood has been revived and repainted with playful characters from popular fairytales and traditional Korean tales, such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz, Red Riding Hood and more.
Let your mind wander into a kid’s wonderland at Songwol-dong Fairytale Village! It’s a fun journey for all – from kid, the kid at heart to halmeoni (Granny in Korean)!
Get on board Noah’s Ark!
Beauty and the Beast….
Do navigate along the main road of the village, as well as the back alleys. There will be lots of surprises awaiting you at the back alleys.
Scene from traditional Korean tale!
Scenes from traditional Korean tales! The stories must be about magic and fairies!
Remember to take lots of photos!
hi Doraemon!
Here, you can declare your love for your significant other!
I am waiting for my prince…
A scene in which the Prince climbs Princess Rapunzel’s hair has been whimsically depicted on the wall of one of the houses, hidden in the back alley.
Snow white and her forest friends.
Hurry home Cinderella, it’s almost midnight!
Whisked away to the magical land of Oz.
Snow white unites with her beloved prince!
Alice’s rabbit is escaping from her wonderland!
I want to take a photo with Mr Giraffe.
Is this a candy cafe?
Disney’s Princesses and the grumpy dolls…
I want to wear this floral hair garland and be a princess. 
Posing with Pikachu…
The End… And the prince and princess live happily ever after.
Address:
38, Donghwamaeul-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
Getting there:
- Alight at Incheon Station (Subway Line 1)
- Exit 2
- Walk straight for around 200m and turn right into the Donghwamaeul-gil road when you see a rainbow arch-shaped gate with a colourful “송월동 동화마을” (Songwol-dong Fairytale Village) sign.