What To Do If Stranded In Incheon International Airport

First of all, my sympathies to those have been stranded in various airports around the world, no thanks to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.  But honestly, for those who think they've got a raw deal being stuck in Incheon International Airport, I'd say I can think of worse airports to be stranded in for days. After all, it's been voted Best Airport for five consecutive years.

Granted it's not a cheap place to find yourself in especially with your won or US dollars running out. However, Incheon International Airport has some special facilities for tourists which could keep visitors occupied for some time. Eversince I stumbled upon the Cultural Experience Zone for example, I've made it a point to visit it while on my way home from Korea. In fact, once,   I was so engrossed in one activity that I had my name called out on the public address system because I hadn't boarded my plane yet.

I had been too preoccupied finishing up my hanji box container at the Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone on the third floor of the Passenger Terminal ( East Wing: Gate 24 / West Wing: Gate 40) It was a very relaxing time concentrating on applying glue to the readily-cut pieces of hanji paper to the parts of the box which I could take home in a bag with printed description of the traditional craft.

Visitors with half an hour to spare can make their own traditional kites, knots, fans or paper crafts with the complimentary ready-to-be-assembled materials and guidance provided by the friendly English-speaking staff there. In previous visits, I had brought home my own hand-made souvenirs such as phone accessories made from jewelled toned silk pouches and a paper tray.

Apparently there are also musical performances on traditional instruments but you'd have to be pretty fortunate in terms of timing to catch these. But the Exhibition of Korean Crafts Hall is open pretty much all the time on the fourth floor of the Transfer Lounge. When I was there the last time, some beautiful embroidery work was featured there. There are also exhibits from the Cultural Museum of Korea displayed on the fourth floor in the Concourse Area. So if you didn't have time to visit museum in Seoul, here's your chance to catch up on some Korean history and culture.

There used to be a small supermarket located in one of the lower floors near the basement of IIA but I looked for it in vain during my last visit in 2008. More expensive retail outlets have taken over, I'm sorry to note. Those who wish to do last-minute shopping for their instant noodles now have to take a shuttle bus to the nearby E-mart hypermarket.

Hallyu fans may want to check out the KNTO space devoted to the Hallyu Wave between Gate #12-13 and Gate #1-2 on the arrival floor.  ( Hours: 07:00 - 22:00; Tel: +82-32-743-2600~3). If you've lots of won to spare, pamper yourself to Hallyuwood star treatment in Spa on Air, a luxury spa within IIA. If not, spend your 500 won coins surfing on the Net in the many PCs available for use within the airport.

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/GK/GK_EN_2_7_2_1.jsp
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/04/20/2010042000398.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incheon_International_Airport
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/440
http://www.airport.kr/eng/
http://www.korea4expats.com/news-Incheon-intl-airport.html
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=609933
http://www.kous.or.kr/foreign/eng/kous02.htm