If there’s one thing I want to do… it’s to take a trip around the world. Just think of it. Throw clothes and cameras into a bag and set off for adventure, experiencing a new city and culture every day. The only downside to a trip of that nature is the cost and time away from loved ones. However, Korea has the ultimate solution for you. Tucked away beside an underpass in Bucheon is Aiins World (아인스월드). This local treasure was built in 2004 by Hollywood Special Effects company Wonder Works and successfully recreated over 70 architectural wonders spanning the entire globe. Here you can actually see the whole world in a single day.
Around the World in 80 Seconds
It was a hot, sunny day when I chose to visit Aiins World. Thankfully, school was still in session, so I pretty much had the park to myself. This led to an interesting question, “How to shoot a video for this attraction?” Sure, I could run a standard destination piece, but without being able to interview key individuals that helped build the structure nearly a decade ago on hand, I thought it would be a little lacking. That’s why I came up with the 80 seconds concept. After all, one of the greatest travel stories of all time is Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, so why not make a game out of it in the video?
Aiins World
Aiins World is easy enough to get to. Just hop on Subway Line 1 and get off at Songnae Staion, make your way out Exit 2, and onto bus 7-2 (Alternatively you can take a taxi). You’ll be let off at the Aiins World stop, and from there it’s only a 5 minute walk to main gate. Some official websites will tell you to take bus 5-2, but that no longer appears to be running. Admission is 10,000 won. Once in side you’ll be guided through a series of Zones representing various regions of the earth. There’s the England and France Zones, which are differentiated from the rest of the Europe Zone for some reason. Some reports claim that there are 109 items on display, but plaques only go up to 79, leaving one to wonder what happened to the rest.
That’s not the only thing you wonder when walking around this establishment. You find yourself wondering why you paid to get in. While the structures are nice and interesting to look at, a number are falling into disrepair. The pond where the Sidney Opera house rests is dirty and the “special effects” for one of Korea’s major naval battles are virtually non-existent. Furthermore, it takes roughly an hour to walk through the grounds, making the 10,000 won entrance fee rather steep. Considering one gets into the National Museum for free or many of the nation’s UNESCO World Heritage sites for less than 3,000 won, Aiins World comes off as nothing more than an overpriced attraction. This doesn’t mean that one should pass up the opportunity to visit Aiins World, specialluy if you like architecture, but seriously consider how you can best spend your time and money – for it may be elsewhere.
Video Answers
Did you watch the video? How many of the 16 locations were you able to name? Need help? Well, here are the answer in case you want them!
- Tower Bridge
- Big Ben
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
- Louvre
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- The Colosseum
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- Acropolis
- Great Temple of Abu Simbel
- The Sphinx
- Chichen Itza
- Colossus of Rhodes
- White House
- Forbidden City
- Great Wall of China
Information
Address: Gyeonggi-do Bucheon-si Wonmi-gu Sang-dong 529-2
Phone: +82-32-1330, +82-32-320-6000
Web: www.aiinsworld.com
Hours:
April – October : Weekdays 10:00 – 21:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 – 22:00
November – March : Weekdays 10:00 – 20:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 – 21:00
※Last admission is 1 hour before closing time
Parking:
- Vehicles with less than 35 passengers: 3,000 won
- Vehicles with more than 45 passengers: 5,000 won
Admission:
Adults 10,000 won
Children (3 – 13) 7,000 won
* Night ticket (17:00 – closing time) 5,000 won
Directions: Songnae Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 2. Take bus 7-2 and get off at Aiins World (15 min ride). Walk 10 minutes to the gate.
