Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village

Helenakfronczak · CC BY-SA 4.0

An ageing neighbourhood repainted as a storybook world, a familiar tale on every wall.

Songwol-dong was an old quarter steadily losing its residents, with mostly elderly people left. In 2013 the city and the residents repainted every lane after fairy tales: the Steadfast Tin Soldier, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack's beanstalk climbing all the way to a roof, Peter Pan flying across the wall at the mouth of an alley. The odd thing is that it worked — visitors came, shops reopened, the neighbourhood revived. The whole loop takes about forty minutes, but it is one of the rare Korean sights children enjoy more than adults, and it sits directly behind Incheon's Chinatown.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village?

Year-round

How long do you need at Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village?

1 hour

What are the opening hours of Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village?

All day

Did you know

The mural project began in 2013 to revive a declining neighbourhood.
The walls retell well-known Western fairy tales.
It is a few minutes' walk from Incheon Chinatown.
People still live ordinary lives in these lanes.

Travel tips

Combine it with Chinatown and the open port quarter in one outing.
This is a residential area — keep your voice down and stay out of yards.
Morning light is best for photographing the murals.

Source: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Updated: 2026-08-05