Ilsan

The Lafesta is a street style entertainment center called ‘Myeong dong in Ilsan,’ housing over 150 stores, a broadcasting station (KMTV), and movie theaters. It is near Lake Park and known as a must visit tourist attraction before going to the Incheon international airport.
How to get to the Lafesta: Get off at Jeongbalsan Stn. Subway Line 3, go out exit 2, and 5 minutes’s walk

Lake Park of Ilsan new town is the largest (about 245 acre) man made lake in the East. It has been loved by countless visitors including Goyang si citizens since its opening on May 4, 1996.

How to get to the Lake Park of Ilsan: Get off at Jeongbalsan Stn. Subway Line 3, and 10 minutes’ walk.
Dear My Friends,
Living in Ilsan for 10 years now, I want to introduce Ilsan to the world for its features and culture. In Korean, Il means “one” and san means “mountain”, so all together Ilsan means “a mountain”, and this is because there really is only one mountain in Ilsan which is called ‘Jeongbalsan mountain!’ Ilsan was established in 1996 as an environmental friendly area. Lake Park below is a major attraction of Ilsan. It is man made, and has a grand, peaceful lake and round park around it so people can take walks around the lake along the parkway. (Photo: Lake Park)

This is one of the parkways, and walking through here I feel fresh and renewed. There is a small park for people’s health by stimulating the sole of the foot. In there, there are millions of rocks in several different shapes and colors. In Asia, there is this theory that the sole of the foot is connected to every aspects of body health. So, every different part is related to some kind of health problems, thus by stimulating the foot our health problem will be solved.

Then, in the corner of the Lake Park is a famous water fountain! Yet, it is not an ordinary fountain at all, actually, this fountain sings! (Photo: Musical Fountain) This fountain is called a Musical Fountain. It was built in 2004 and it beams beautiful lights and pumps water with the music. Plus, no admission fees required, you can just sit on the ground and observe such wonderful scenery and music. It usually plays at night, every weekend. One of the best songs I’ve heard from this fountain is the OST of animation Aladdin, “A Whole New World”.

This place is called “Lafesta”. Festa meaning feast in Italian, Lafesta is a 365 day festival! Music concerts are held every Wednesday and on special holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgivings and New Year’s Day, there are many sales and events. In Lafesta, there are dozens of shopping stores, restaurants, game centers, and a movie theater. This place is really a conglomerate of all types of amusement. People come here to shop, play, eat, and rest.

Living in Ilsan for almost 10 years, I must say that Ilsan is just the ideal place to live. It has many facilities and the culture here is awesome. There are many museums and even an opera house and music hall. A year ago, MBC, one of the three major public broadcasters was built making Ilsan a true conglomerate of culture. I can enjoy all kinds of culture here in Ilsan, and with Lake Park and the citizens’ autonomous effort, the environment in Ilsan is better than any other city. The roads are filled with large trees and bushes and the sky is crystal clear.

To me, Ilsan is so beautiful that I want as many people to share my city. Despite Seoul being the capital of Korea, and therefore is the center of Korea, I want to suggest visiting Ilsan and enjoying our culture, environment, and amusement. I just love my city and hope it continues to be what it is now!!!

Sincerely, Bora

* More information: http://www.goyang.go.kr/en/