Gwangseongbo Fortress (광성보)

10.2Km 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 Bomunsa Temple (보문사 (강화))

10.2Km 2024-12-26

44 Samsannam-ro 828beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-933-8271

Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmodo Island in the Gangwondo Island district. The temple is on Sangbongsan Mountain, one of three mountains that make up the Samsan-myeon area. Like many temples in Korea, the foundation date is unknown but it is believed to have been founded in 635 during the reign of Silla Queen Seondeok. The temple faces out to the ocean, with the sound of waves reaching all the way to the main building.

The main courtyard is fragrant with the scent of an aromatic tree, designated Incheon Natural Monument No. 17. Beyond the tree is a gathering of Buddhist scuptures and a large grotto.

Ganghwa Haesoo Land (강화해수랜드)

10.3Km 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.

Donggeomdo (Trail, Campground, Art Cinematheque) (동검도(나들길,캠핑,예술극장))

10.4Km 2024-02-20

60 Donggeom-gil 63beon-gil, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Donggeomdo Island is a petite island connected to the main island of Ganghwado Island, celebrated for its stunning tidal flats and coastal vistas. A stroll along the trail on the eastern coast of the island offers visitors a chance to savor diverse natural landscapes, while the scattered campgrounds provide a romantic setting for leisure activities. Notably, the DRFA365 Art Cinematheque, featuring art films, adds to the island's charm and attractions.

Deokpojin Museum of Education (덕포진교육박물관)

10.7Km 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)

10.7Km 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.

Jeokseoksa Temple (적석사)

10.7Km 2021-08-02

181, Yeonchon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-932-6191

Jeokseoksa Temple is a traditional Buddhist temple that was founded around 1,600 years ago. It is known for "Gamnojeong," which is the water trickling out from the rock crevices on the east side of Daeungjeon Hall (main temple building). While the water is cool and sweet, legend has it that it dries up or turns murky in times of national crisis. According to the records, Palman Daejanggyeong (Tripitaka Koreana printing woodblocks) used to be kept in Jeokseoksa before they were moved to Baengnyeongsa Temple, then to Jeondeungsa Temple, and finally to Haeinsa Temple.

Jeokseoksa Temple is connected to Nakjodae Observatory, which offers a magnificent view of the sun setting over the West Sea. In fact, the view is so magnificent that it is admired as one of the 10 best sceneries of Ganghwado Island.

Seongmodo Island Mineral Hot Springs (석모도 미네랄 온천)

10.7Km 2023-02-09

865-17, Samsannam-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7051

Located near Bomunsa Temple, Minmeoru Beach, Seongmodo Island Arboretum, and a recreational forest, Seongmodo Island Mineral Hot Springs is a place where visitors can enjoy hot springs while looking at the West Sea and the view of sunset over the horizon. The sea breeze and sunlight also help to relax one's body and mind.

The spring waters are pure mineral water that gush out from volcanic granite, reaching a temperature of 51℃ with no artificial or chemical additives. It is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium chloride. Various minerals in the hot spring water not only help improve skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and dryness but are also easily absorbed into the skin to help with beauty, moisturizing, and blood circulation. They are also known to have excellent effects on arthritis and muscle pain.

Sugi Beach (수기해변)

10.7Km 2022-07-28

291-48, Sido-ro 86beon-gil, Ongjin-gun, Incheon
+82-32-899-2253

Located on Sido Island in Incheon, Sugi Beach is easily accessible from Seoul. Sido Island is situated between Yeongjongdo Island and Ganghwado Island. The beach is not as crowded as other famous beaches, and is ideal for families or campers.

Sugi Beach was the filming location for the famous drama series "Full House (2004)." Sido Island connects Sindo Island and Modo Island, making it easy to tour the three islands by foot or car.

Ganghwa Seonwonsa Temple Site (강화 선원사지)

10.8Km 2022-09-19

222, Seonwonsaji-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-933-8234

Ganghwa Seonwonsa Temple Site was first discovered in 1976 during a surface examination around Ganghwado Island undertaken by the Ganghwado Island Academic Research Team of Dongguk University. The site was designated as Historic Site No. 259 in 1977. Seonwonsa Temple was built by General Choi Wu in 1245 (the 32nd year of King Gojong’s reign during the Goryeo dynasty), which was right after the transfer of the capital to Ganghwado during resistance against the Mongolian invasion.

The temple was meant to be a spiritual mainstay in fighting against Mongolia. It used to be one of the two largest temples in Korea along with Songgwangsa Temple. However, the temple was completely destroyed during the early Joseon era, leaving only the site itself. The famous wood blocks of Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), currently housed in Haeinsa Temple at Hapcheon, are said to have been originally stored in Seonwonsa Temple. It is believed that the carved wood blocks were taken from Seonwonsa to Heungcheonsa Temple during the Joseon era and again moved to Haeinsa Temple during the reign of Sejo.

Located on a mountain slope, the presumed location of the building site extends 250 meters from south to north and 170 meters from east to west.

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