Goryeogung Palace Site (고려궁지)

0m 32458 2021-06-01

394, Ganghwa-daero, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7078

Goryeogung Palace Site on Ganghwado Island is the site of the royal palace where the people of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) resisted the Mongolian invasion for 39 years. In the 19th year of his reign, King Gojong moved the capital to Ganghwa on account of its natural and strategic advantages. During the Byeongjahoran (Chinese invasion of Korea) in 1637, the palace was lost by force to the Qing dynasty of China. Later, Joseon Dynasty palace building and Ganghwa Yusubu (Ganghwa governor’s office) buildings existed in the Goryeo palace site but were destroyed by the French army during the Byeonginyangyo (French Campaign against Korea). Nowadays, the only structures that remain are the Dongheon main office (built in 1638) and Ibangcheong administration office (built in 1654). The palace and its subsidiary buildings were restored in 1977. It has historical lessons of the spirit of independence and overcoming national crisis.

Ganghwa Anglican Church (대한성공회 강화성당)

137.76343556291695m 33710 2020-04-18

10, Gwancheong-gil 27beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

Ganghwa Anglican Church was consecrated in 1900 by Charies Jone Corfe, the First Bishop of the Church as the St. Peter and St.Paul’s Church. The church has since undergone several restorations, but the design remains true to the original.

The two-story 4x10 rectangular building is characterized by traditional Korean construction style on the outside while the interior is a Western Basilica style symbolizing the beauty of harmony and Korean tradition. It was first designated as Gyeonggi-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 154 and then became Incheon Tangible Cultural property when Ganghwa was included in Incheon Metropolitan City. In January 2001 it was designated as Historic Site No.424 of Korea.

Night of Ganghwa & Heritage Story (강화 문화재 야행)

233.7844282247288m 368 2021-09-15

Gwancheong-ri. Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-32-930-3569

Night of Ganghwa & Heritage Story takes place in the city of Ganghwa. There will be a media facade on cultural heritage sites for online viewers as well as a guided tour on bikes for offline visitors.

Yongheunggung Palace (용흥궁)

329.7028931161166m 17823 2022-07-27

16-1, Dongmunan-gil 21beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-3515

Yongheunggung Palace is where King Cheoljong (r. 1849-1863) used to live before his ascension to throne. The chief of Ganghwa County, Jeong Gi-se, enlarged the original residence and named it Yongheunggung (meaning palace of the rising dragon) in the 4th year of King Cheoljong’s reign. Its architectural features include a paljak (traditional Korean half-hipped roof) and supporting columns rendered in Jusimpo style, the column brackets placed only on top of the columns. The palace was built in the tradition of dwelling houses such as the Yeongyeongdang and Nakseonjae houses in Changdeokgung Palace, so the palace buildings give off a simple and plain atmosphere. Within the precincts of the palace are a memorial stone and a monument house indicating that the palace used to be the old home of King Cheoljong.

Shin Arirang (신아리랑)

517.6411428720971m 27051 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)

527.9957270535426m 63315 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.

Ganghwasanseong Fortress (강화산성)

588.3244270598946m 13509 2020-03-16

San 3, Gukhwa-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-5464

Ganghwasanseong Fortress was originally earthen mountain walls, built during King Go Jong’s 19th year of reign (1232), after he moved to Ganghwado. It was built to repel attacks from the Mongols. The inner castle was destroyed when the capital was moved to another place, and at the beginning of the Joseon Era (1392-1910) the wall was again rebuilt with mud.

It went through much restoration until finally being rebuilt with stones. Ganghwasanseong Fortress originally had interior and exterior walls, but only the interior wall remains today. It has an approximate circumference of 1.2km. The exterior mud wall was approximately 9km in circumference with 8 gates. The huge exterior wall was built along the side of the east channel of Ganghwa, but no longer exists today. From 1977, the interior wall has been rebuilt many times over, but the east side of this wall has yet to be reconstructed.

There were four main gates in the wall. To the south, Anparu; to the east, Cheomhwaru; to the west, Manghanru; and to the north, Jinsongru. At the west gate, the historic Yeonmudang still remains. This area was where the soldiers used to train, and was also the place where the Korea-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity (or Treaty of Ganghwa Island) was signed in 1876.

With its aching history left behind and beautiful scenery, Ganghwasanseong Fortress serves as an ideal place for a brisk walk or refreshing drive.

Joyang Bangjik Cafe (조양방직)

607.3019624877228m 98 2023-11-13

12 Hyangnamu-gil 5beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-933-2192

Joyang Bangjik, which means Joyang Textile in English, was the first rayon factory established with domestic funds in 1933 in Ganghwa, but were closed down as Ganghwa textiles declined over the years. The empty building was left in ruins until it became renovated as a huge cafe. A demolished wall became a wonderful art gallery and movie theater, a long workbench was turned into a coffee table, and the space where machines and people worked was filled with antiques found in China and Europe. A British door with a broken window, a round mirror from an old train in the Czech Republic, and a fish-shaped bun machine that struggled to turn itself over every winter are naturally arranged as if they were there originally, giving an impression of time throughout the cafe by utilizing the factory and building frame of more than 990 square meters. Currently, various drinks and cakes are offered.

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

628.6345344474869m 23896 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.

[Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 7] Setting Sun Trail ([강화 나들길 제7코스] 낙조보러 가는 길)

628.6345344474869m 23723 2022-12-29

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 7] Setting Sun Trail
Course 7 stretches over a 20.8-kilometer-long loop from Hwado Parking Lot to Mud Flat Research Center and back. The trail leads through a tunnel of green leaves before opening out onto the mud flat. The mud flat is one of the world's top five mud flats and presents a beautiful view of the ocean and mountains. Bird-watchers will love the chance to see migratory birds fly through each winter.

Goryeogung Palace Site (고려궁지) - Area information - Korea travel information