Ganghwado Island (강화도)

Ganghwado Island (강화도)

– Homepage
itour.incheon.go.kr

– Tel
+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.

– Address : Ganghwa-daero, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

※ Presentation Information
– Age Range
Open to visitors of all ages

– Information and Guides
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-32-934-7500

– Parking
Available

– Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

– Operating Hours
Open 24 hr

– Available Facilities
Gapgot Fortification, Gwangseongbo Fortress, Manisan Mountain, Bomunsa Temple, Yeonmijeong Pavilion, Jeokseoksa Temple, Jeondeungsa Temple, Chojijin Fort, etc.

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Yongheunggung Palace (용흥궁)

– Homepage
www.ganghwa.go.kr
www.cha.go.kr

– Tel
+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.

⊙ Maeheon 1935 (매헌1935)

– Homepage
www.instagram.com/maeheon1935/

Maeheon 1935 is a restaurant in Gangwha-gun, Incheon that serves Korean dishes. The restaurant uses a renovated hanok built in 1935, and has a garden that blooms with plum blossoms. It is also located to many representative attractions of Ganghwa. The restaurant is characterized by serving a neat Korean food table for each person. Its representative menu items consist of bibimbap, hanu yukjeon (beef pancake), beef bulgogi, and more, made with fresh local ingredients that are produced in Ganghwa.

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

– Homepage
www.nadeulgil.org
cafe.daum.net/vita-walk

– Tel
+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)

– Homepage
www.nadeulgil.org
cafe.daum.net/vita-walk

– Tel
+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.

⊙ [Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 6] Birthplace of Hwanam Trail ([강화 나들길 제6코스] 화남생가 가는 길)

– Homepage
www.nadeulgil.org
cafe.daum.net/vita-walk

– Tel
+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 6] Birthplace of Hwanam Trail

Course 6 stretches over an 18.8 kilometer area between Ganghwa Bus Terminal and Gwangseongbo Reservoir. The trail passes through fields and forests. Hwanam’s hometown is so beautiful, people often say all the flowers that grow in the world can be found here.

⊙ [Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 3] Royal Tomb Trail ([강화 나들길 제3코스] 고려왕릉 가는 길)

– Homepage
www.nadeulgil.org
cafe.daum.net/vita-walk

– Tel
+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 3] Royal Tomb Trail

Course 3 stretches over a 16.2 kilometer area between Onsu Parking Lot and Gareung Tomb. This trail showcases the royal tombs of the Goryeo dynasty. The trail passes through forested areas between tombs and temples.

⊙ [Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 1] Simdo History & Culture Trail ([강화 나들길 제1코스] 심도역사문화길)

– Homepage
www.nadeulgil.org
cafe.daum.net/vita-walk

– Tel
+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 1] Simdo History & Culture Trail
Course 1 stretches over an 18-kilometer area between Ganghwa Bus Terminal and Gapgot Fortification. The trail includes sites such as Yongheunggung Palace, Ganghwahyanggyo Local Confucian School and an Anglican church. The course is an easy walk, with plenty of areas to stop and explore, as well as restaurants and convenience facilities for an enjoyable stroll.

⊙ Goryeogung Palace Site (고려궁지)

– Homepage
www.ghss.or.kr (Korean only)

– Tel
+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.