After the opening of Incheon Port in 1883, Qing China and Japan established settlements in Korea at Incheon in 1883 and 1884, respectively. These stone stairs form the border between the Chinese and Japanese settlements. The stairs are decorated with diverse exotic structures and plants, and landings are included to mitigate the steep slope. The area has a very unique atmosphere, with Chinese-style and Japanese-style buildings to either side of the stairs. In the vicinity is Incheon's Chinatown.