Shin Arirang (신아리랑)

10.0Km 2024-02-26

4-3 Ganghwa-daero 409beon-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Shin Arirang is a restaurant specializing in jeotguk galbi (salted shrimp and galbi soup), a local food from Ganghwa-gun. Jeotguk galbi is made by boiling pork galbi, pork bones, and vegetables with salted shrimp, offering a savory and rich flavor. Conveniently located near Ganghwa-gun Office, it is easily accessible and popular among locals.

Ganghwado Island (강화도)

10.1Km 2023-03-24

Ganghwa-daero, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-934-7500

Ganghwado Island, off the west coast, is the fifth largest island in Korea. The island was connected to the mainland in 1970 with the construction of the Ganghwagyo Bridge. Another larger bridge, Ganghwadaegyo Bridge, was built in 1997, making it easier than ever to travel to Ganghwado Island from Seoul and Incheon areas. The island is home to Chamseongdan Altar on top of Manisan Mountain on the southern coast. This is said to be where Dangun Wanggeom offered sacrificial rites to the heavens. Another important item of note on Ganghwado Island is the collection of stone dolmens, a UNESCO-recognized world heritage.

Ganghwado Island has many famous local products, including the medicinally effective Ganghwa ginseng and hwamunseok, a mat woven with flower patterns. Hwamunseok is famous also as a representative traditional Korean product for its intricate handwork and designs.

Jeokseoksa Temple (적석사)

10.1Km 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.

Ganghwa Ginseng Center (강화 인삼센터)

10.7Km 2021-05-07

335, Ganghwa-daero, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-10-9314-3348

The cultivation of Ganghwa ginseng began during the era of King Gojong (A.D. 1232) of the Goryeo dynasty. In 1920, Ganghwado Island was designated a special district for ginseng cultivation. At the onset of the Korean War (1950-1953), the people of Gaeseong, the birthplace of ginseng cultivation, took refuge on Ganghwado Island and began to cultivate ginseng on a large scale, which was the beginning of the production of the famous 6-year-old root of ginseng.

Ganghwado Island has the optimal environment for ginseng cultivation with clay soil, sandy loam, and a cool climate condition influenced by coastal winds. The thick root of Ganghwa ginseng does not have any inside cavity or white interior. This is how Ganghwa became a leading producer of the 6-year-old root, which has a high rate of red ginseng extract, cheonji.

Ganghwa Ginseng Center handles quality ginseng guaranteed in its cultivation, processing, and distribution, owing to the utmost care exerted to provide safe and reliable products.

[Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 2] Homeland Fortification Trail ([강화 나들길 제2코스] 호국돈대길)

12.7Km 2021-08-11

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 2] Homeland Fortification Trail
Course 2 stretches over a 17 kilometer area between Gapgotdon Watchtower and Chojijin Fort. This trail showcases the history of the island and the changes that happened before and after the opening of the port. The course follows a coastal road that is particularly beautiful in spring and fall.

Gapgotdon Watchtower (갑곶돈대)

12.7Km 2021-01-18

18, Haeandong-ro 1366beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7077

Gapgotdon Watchtower was built to protect the Ganghwa Straits from invasion when the Goryeo Kingdom moved their capital to Ganghwado Island. The fortified area served as a highly strategic location for the Goryeo Kingdom, and had endured multiple invasions by the Mongolian troops between 1232 and 1270.

The watchtower was fortified in the Joseon dynasty by King Sukjong in 1679 and had once fallen during the French campaign against Korea in 1866. In 1977, the site was restored to its original form. The cannons exhibited at the current site were made during the Joseon dynasty to attack outside invaders from sea.

Golden Grass (옛날에금잔디)

12.8Km 2024-12-23

18-1 , Ganghwaseo-ro 225beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-10-6216-5598

Geumjandi on Ganghwado Island, Gyeonggi-do, is an 80-year-old traditional hanok with red clay walls, timber rafters and beams and a wooden porch. The yard includes a garden with flowers and pine trees, there is a fireplace and cauldron, and a well which adds to the charm. Both the anchae and the sarangchae have guestrooms, and the hanok is an ideal place for outdoor weddings or first birthday parties: a marquee, sound equipment and barbecue facilities are available to hire. Pets are welcome.

Ganghwa Seonwonsa Temple Site (강화 선원사지)

13.0Km 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.

Hwagae Garden (화개정원)

13.5Km 2024-02-20

6-60 Gyodongdong-ro 471beon-gil, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Hwagae Garden is a park situated on the foothills of Hwagaesan Mountain in Gyodong-myeon. Exploring the trails, visitors can immerse themselves in the ever-changing beauty of Hwagaesan Mountain across the seasons. Opting for the monorail to reach the observatory rewards with a panoramic view extending to Ganghwado Island. The park is equipped with various amenities, including walking paths, a lawn, a children's playground, along with restaurants and cafés.

Ganghwa Armiae World (강화 아르미애월드)

13.7Km 2020-02-29

742-2, Jungang-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Ganghwa Armiae World is a theme park with Ganghwa mugwort as its theme. The mugwort of Ganghwado Island is widely known for its great medicinal effects. Armiae means “creating beauty through mugwort.” Armiae World provides its visitors with various opportunities to experience Ganghwa mugwort.

Mugwort Korean Beef Restaurant serves quality beef from cattle fed Ganghwa mugwort. The restaurant features a modern interior with beautiful views of the surrounding area. The Mugwort Experience Hall presents various mugwort-related experience programs such as a spa, foot bath, and sitz bath. The Agricultural Exhibition Hall provides a childrens' interactive experience about the value of farming, and the Onsaemiro Maze Park offers a history trip of Ganghwa greenhouses along the labyrinth. Other facilities include the Pottery Experience Hall, Ganghwa Agricultural Goods Sales Office, outdoor lawn square for events and picnics, and a processing plant for agricultural and indigenous products including mugwort.

Armiae World is located at the foot of Hyeolgusan Mountain, which is well-known for beautiful azalea flowers in the spring. Providing hands-on experiences in farming, Armiae World is emerging as a unique tourist attraction of Ganghwado Island.

Shin Arirang (신아리랑) - Area information - Korea travel information