Incheon, South Korea

Icheonis a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It should not be confused with the much larger Incheon Metropolitan City. Neighboring districts include Yeoju County, Gwangju City, Yongin City, and Anseong City within Gyeonggi province, as well as Eumseong County in North Chungcheong Province. Just 60km southeast of Seoul is the mountain-surrounded city of Icheon (not to be confused with Incheon on the west coast), famous for its numerous potters, ceramic vendors, Ceramic Village and a relaxing spa. There's no nightlife, but the city has a quiet charm. Shoppers and ceramic lovers may want to stay here overnight to have time to look around or dabble in making something at a hands-on workshop. There are excellent maps at the visitors centre (644 2020; 9am-5pm) near the Seolbongho reservoir. Along with pottery, Icheon is famous for its rice, which some claim is so good that ‘it needs no side dishes'. Tourists may find that to be stretching the truth, but the good news is that it's always served with side dishes – and the rice is certainly good, often proudly served in Seoul's finer restaurants.