Gwangseongbo Fortress (광성보)

12.6Km 2022-07-25

27, Haeandong-ro 466beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7070

Gwangseongbo Fortress’s outer wall from the Goryeo era was mended in 1618. The fortress was built in 1656 and the outpost was constructed in 1679. It was completely remodeled into a masonry castle with gates in 1745. During Sinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871), Gwangseongbo was the fiercest battle ground in Ganghwa. On April 24, 1871, a fleet with 1,230 American naval forces led by Rear Admiral John Rodgers landed on Ganghwado Island to demand the opening of Korea's ports and commerce. The armed forces attacked Chojijin Fortress and Deokjinjin Camp, then marched to Gwangseongbo Fortress, where they engaged in close combat with the warriors of Joseon. Although General Eo Jae-yeon and the other warriors were poorly equipped with far inferior weapons, they bravely fought to the death against the invading forces.

The battlefield ruins of the fortress and the gate towers such as Anhaeru, Gwangseongdon, Sondolmokdon, and Yongdudon were repaired in 1977. The twin tombs of General Eo Jae-Yeon and his brother Eo Jae-seon, along with the anonymous tombs of warriors who died on the battlefield were also honorably arranged at the same time. Furthermore, a stone monument commemorating the restoration of Ganghwa Battlefield was erected on Yongdudondae Post.

In 1988, an extensive rest area was created toward the shore for visitors’ convenience. Gwangseongbo Fortress is presently designated as Historical Relic No. 227. A religious service known as Gwangseongje is held annually to commemorate the patriotic spirits of General Eo Jae-yeon and other unnamed warriors. This service takes place at 11 a.m. on every April 24th of the lunar calendar.

Ganghwa Haesoo Land (강화해수랜드)

12.8Km 2024-02-20

13-12 Haeannam-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Ganghwa Haesoo Land, established in 1992, is a comprehensive leisure facility that integrates a sauna with seawater baths. The sauna encompasses various facilities, including red clay sauna, salt sauna, charcoal sauna, and steam sauna. The seawater baths utilize mineral-rich seawater sourced from 560 meters underground. Complementing these features, the facility offers additional amenities such as a swimming pool, outdoor concert hall, and a café.

Ganghwa Seodo Central Church (강화 서도 중앙교회)

13.0Km 2020-06-16

256-1, Jumundo-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-760-6474

By the late Joseon dynasty, Ganghwado Island had already been attacked many times by foreign invaders. During the Byeonginyangyo (the French invasion in 1866), the French fleet stayed in Ganghwado for about a month until they withdrew their forces after losing during the Jeongjoksanseong Battle. During the Sinmiyangyo (the United States expedition to Korea in 1981), the American fleet attacked Chojijin Fortress, Deokjinjin Fortress and Gwangseongbo Fortress. Hence, Ganghwado played a big part in South Korea opening its doors to the West in the 19th century. Ganghwado also became the Western Christian missionaries' center of activity for their missionary works.

There are three remaining churches that were built in that time that were influenced or built by the Western Christian Missionaries: Ganghwa Anglican Church established in 1900, Ganghwa St. Andrew's Church established in 1906, and Ganghwa Seodo Central Church established in 1923.

Ganghwa Seodo Central Church started contruction in February 1923 and was completed as a Korean-architecture chapel in July 1923. The original name was Jumun Church and it was renamed as Seodo Central (Jungang) Church in 1978. The church belongs to The Korean Methodist Church.

Even though the building of the church doesn't reflect outstanding building techniques and aesthetic qualities, a Western church with a Korean-style wooden structure such as Ganghwa Seodo Central Church is still worth a visit.

Deokpojin Museum of Education (덕포진교육박물관)

13.2Km 2021-02-26

90, Deokpojin-ro 103beon-gil, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-989-8580

Deokpojin Museum of Education was established by Kim Dong-seon, an elementary school teacher, for his wife, Lee In-suk who lost her eye sight due to an accident while she was also an elementary school teacher. He decided to build the museum to cheer up his wife who was deeply depressed with the fact that she could no longer teach students. Through the husband's will to give his wife opportunities to teach children again, his dream to create hands-on educational programs not available in the ordinary school education system became a reality as well. The museum was finally opened in 1996 with materials collected by the couple, comprised of a music class taught with her pump organ and Mr. Kim's collection of various school materials such as a book wrapper, a nature textbook from 1960, nickel silver lunch boxes and more. These collections attracts many visitors, from kindergarteners to university students and even family visitors.

Gimpo Hamsang Park (김포함상공원)

13.2Km 2023-08-08

110-36, Daemyeonghang 1-ro, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-987-4097

Gimpo Hamsang Park is the first battleship themed park in the Seoul metropolitan area. With LST battleship on display, there are many things to see and experience at the park. Visitors can learn various information about the lives and duties of naval officers as well as enjoy a panoramic view of the West Sea.

Daemyeonghang Fishery Market (대명항수산물직판장)

13.4Km 2024-02-26

109 Daemyeonghang 1-ro, Daegot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do

Daemyeonghang Fishery Market specializes in selling only natural, freshly caught seafood, brought directly by local fishermen. In spring, the market offers shaggy sea raven filled with roe and webfoot octopus. Summer brings a selection of sea bass and flatfish, while autumn features an abundance of blue crabs. Continuously attracting visitors seeking the freshest seafood, the market also includes a dedicated section for salted and dried seafood products.

Gimpo Daemyeong Port (김포 대명항)

13.4Km 2023-02-02

109, Daemyeonghang 1-ro, Daegot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do

The piercing smell of salt, the energy of freshly caught fish, fishing boats returning from far out at sea, and people walking in and out of the fish market and raw fish restaurants - these are the scenes of Daemyeong Port in Daegot-myeon, Gimpo where the fresh vigor of life is vividly alive. It is located just 30 minutes from Gimpo Airport by car so it is close to Seoul. Fishermen and owners of fishing boats personally run raw fish restaurants so the prices of raw fish are about 20% cheaper here than at other ports, according to the people of Daemyeong Port. Raw fish restaurants that you first encounter at the entrance of the port have tanks filled with freshly caught fish, and fishing nets spread out here and there vividly show the unique characteristics of a port. As it is the only port on the coast of Ganghwado Island, you are able to fully enjoy the beautiful seascape. The port is also receiving a great deal of attention both locally and nationwide thanks to the Daemyeong Type 2 Fishery Harbor project and the Pungeoje Festival. In 2001, Daemyeong Port was selected as one of the "7 Winter Seas recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization" for its beautiful seascape and flavors of a traditional port. Facing Ganghwado across Ganghwa Strait, Daemyeong Port is not as busy with tourists as Sorae Port or Yeonan Pier and boasts quiet and affectionate scenes of a fishing village. Nearby lies Deokpojin Fort, which is a historical site where our ancestors in the late Joseon Dynasty fought against foreign forces.

Susan Park (수산공원)

13.8Km 2023-08-08

52, Daemyeonghang 1-ro, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-985-6672

Located in Daemyeongpo-gu in Gimpo, the large leisure cafe also operates a sushi restaurant, kid's cafe and monsterium. Open all year round, fresh sushi is available starting at 11:00 AM. With a large parking lot, it is convenient for visitors to come by car.

Ganghwa Seoksumun Gate (강화 석수문)

14.0Km 2020-02-06

Gukhwa-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

Seoksumun is a floodgate on the Dongnakcheon Stream, which flows through the town of Ganghwa-eup. The floodgate was built in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong’s reign during the Joseon Period) and it is connected to the inner walls of the Ganghwasanseong Fortress. It is an arched structure with a design of three rainbows coming together. Made of granite, the floodgate measures 18.2 meters in length and 2.7 meters in x_height, while the arches are 1.7 meters tall, and 3 meters wide.

[Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 8] Bird Watching Trail ([강화 나들길 제8코스] 철새 보러 가는 길)

14.2Km 2022-11-11

24, Cheonghadong-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-934-1906

The Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trails are a collection of walking paths along the coast of Ganghwa Island that connect the watchtowers and and walls of Ganghwasanseong Fortress, as well as royal tombs and other historically significant sites from the Goryeo dynasty that dot the island.

[Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 8] Bird Watching Trail
Course 8 stretches over a 17.2 kilometer area between Chojijin Fort and Bunoridondae Fortification. Set along the southern coast of Ganghwado Island, this trail showcases the island's natural beauty and history. It is especially popular in summer when the cool ocean breeze blows and in winter when the migratory birds settle in the mud flats.

Gwangseongbo Fortress (광성보) - Area information - Korea travel information