Yeongjong Island | |
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Several old Korean history books like Koryo-sa (Koryo Dynasty's History, 1451), Sejongshilrok
jiriji (geographical record of King Sejong's reign, 1454), and the Shinjeung dongkuk
yojisunglam (Korea's history, 1530), mention it prominently. The island's name (literally meaning
"Swallow Island") was assumed to have come from the many swallows which stay here. The name
was changed to Yongjong-do in 1653 when the headquarters for Korea's
naval forces was moved to the island during King Hyojong's reign. Yongjong-do
means "long extended wooden floor" in Chinese characters.
Today its main claim to fame is the new Incheon International Airport being built here on 56.1 million
square meters of reclaimed land (filling in the areas between Yeongjong-do, Sammok-do,
and Yongyu-do). The airport marks the biggest land development project in
Korea's history. When completed in 2020, it will be eight times larger than
Gimpo Airport, currently Korea's main airport near Seoul. The
first section of the passanger terminal is scheduled to complete in 2000, and the airport will open to
limited passenger use in early 2001.
A short distance away, you can find Ulwangli beach on Yongyu Island. As the
nearest beach to Incheon, it is very popular and, fortunately, not yet contaminated. It is a wide sandy beach
with adjacent pinewoods, a campsite, well-equipped accommodations, and a sufficient water supply. It is also
the designated training place of the Incheon Wind Surfing Association. As a designated national tourist area
by the government in 1986, Ulwangli beach provides well-kept facilities for the
convenience of tourists.
The clean water and woody hills appeal to student and tourist groups. Nearby Wangsan swimming beach
offers fishing and swimming. Mashiran is a new swimming beach, recently opened. Less known to people,
it still has its original tranquillity. Despite of inconvenience caused by a minimum of facilities, it still
appeals to lovers who prefer a quiet and unsophisticated beach. A state-run ranch was established here to
breed horses during the Koryo Kingdom. However, some earthen ware pottery found here suggests that the
island's inhabitation started much earlier than that.The island's name of Yongyu comes from its overall shape, resembling a dragon swimming in the water. Korea's independence movement swept the island twice: once during the late Chosun Dynasty (1392 - 1910) and the second under the Japanese colonial rule (1920-45). To commemorate these movements, the Monument to the Loyal Dead and the Monument to Cheers for Independence were built. Other sights on the island include the Turtle Rock at Yongpa and General Rock at Pipo. Directions: Driving: Gangbyeon Expressway -> Jayu Expressway -> Banghwadaegyo (Bridge) -> New Airport Highway -> Yeongjongdaegyo (Bridge) Local: 1) Bus: Bus towards Wolmido operates every 10 minutes from 5:30-21:30 to Dongincheon Station. 2) Ferry: Yongju Shipping (032-762-8880~2) operates a car/passenger ferry to Yeongjong every 30 minutes from 6:00-21:00 at Wolmido Marina. 
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