“Master Willow,” an art installation on Mo-do adds to the island shore’s allure. (Park Mee-hyang/Hankyoreh)
Islands are a little taste of paradise.Their removal from the mainland evokes flights of fancy — provided, of course, their isolation is viewed as a source of peace, rather than pain.So what happens when a bridge links an island to the mainland?On July 14, Sin-do Peace Bridge opened up for traffic between Incheon’s Sin-do and Yeongjong-do islands (in Bukdo Township, Ongjin County).The four-lane bridge runs for 3.26 kilometers with a width of 13.5 meters. My first view is a marvelous one. Traffic cops are on hand to direct a long line of vehicles bound for the island, which has become something of a tourist mecca.But Sin-do isn’t the only draw here. It’s part of a trio of islands, along with Si-do and Mo-do to the west. Together, they’re one of the top island destinations off the coast of Incheon.The “three island brothers,” as they’ve been dubbed, are already linked by bridges and are regarded as a prime spot for cyclists.Sin-do Peace Bridge has greatly improved access to the islands, which formerly required a 10-minute ferry ride from Sammokseon Terminal on Yeongjong-do, with only 13 rides each day.Just as human brothers have distinct personalities, each of the three island brothers offers its unique charms.The well-traveled offer the following breakdown: Sin-do has the hiking, Si-do has the beaches and Mo-do has the artwork.
