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

Goryeogung Palace Site (고려궁지)

Goryeogung Palace Site (고려궁지)

12.3Km    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.

Gyodongdo Daeryong Market (교동도 대룡시장)

12.3Km    2025-06-18

35 Gyodongnam-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-934-1000

Daeryong Market is an alley market that reproduces the appearance of Yeonbaek Market to maintain a livelihood for residents who temporarily evacuated from Yeonbaek-gun in Hwanghae-do, to Gyodongdo Island during the Korean War. Gyodongdo Island has been the center of economic development for over 50 years. As most of the displaced elderly who created the market passed away and the population rapidly decreased, the market size also reduced considerably. However, with the opening of Gyodongdaegyo Bridge in July 2014, it has become a must-see course for tourists to take pictures of Daeryong Market, which looks like a movie set in the 1960s. Gyodong Giga Island, also referred to as Gyodong Swallow House, opened in late march of 2022 and provides tour information using intellectual techonology as well as bicycle and smartwatch rental services to tourists. In addition, there are various experience programs such as a VR video experience and "Making Gyodong Newspaper."

Ganghwa Gyodongdo Island (교동도(강화))

Ganghwa Gyodongdo Island (교동도(강화))

12.3Km    2025-06-30

35 Gyodongnam-ro, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-934-1000

Gyodongdo Island is located northwest of the larger Ganghwado Island, and was made more accessible with the opening of Gyodongdaegyo Bridge in July 2014. The name changed with different dynasties, being Gomokgeunhyeon during the Goguryeo Era and Gyodonghyeon under the reign of Silla King Gyeongdeok. The island served as an important stopover point for ambassadors and envoys heading to China. Popular attractions on the island now include Daeryong Market, an alleyway market decorated with colorful murals and statues, and Manghyangdae Memorial, a gathering place for refugees who fled from the nearby Hwanghaedo Island during the Korean War. Many of the houses on Gyodongdo Island have swallow nests under the eaves. The refugees consider the swallows as guests from their hometowns. As such, the island is home to the "peace & reunion" themed Gyodong Swallow House, Peace Trail, and Gyodong Studio. Gyodong Swallow House serves as an exhibition and performance space. The Peace Trail is a biking path around the island. At Gyodong Studio, visitors can put on old school uniforms and take black-and-white photographs.

Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple (강화 전등사)

Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple (강화 전등사)

12.4Km    2025-10-23

37-41 Jeondeungsa-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-937-0125

Jeondeungsa Temple is located in Samnangseong Fortress, which is said to have been built in 381 by the three sons of Dangun, the founder of Korea. The temple was originally called Jinjongsa Temple, but changed to the current Jeondeungsa Temple during the Goryeo period.

Jeondeungsa Temple contains significant architectural works. Decorated with delicate carvings, the temple buildings are superlative examples of the architecture of the mid-Joseon dynasty. Visitors can see names of soldiers written on the walls and columns of Daeungjeon Hall. These soldiers fought against the French Navy and wrote their names in Jeondeungsa to pray to Buddha for good luck in war.

There are ten other structures of historical significance at the temple including Yaksajeon Hall, Beomjong Bell, and Yangheonsu Victory Monument. The compound is also home to many ancient trees.

Geumpung Brewery (금풍양조장)

Geumpung Brewery (금풍양조장)

12.6Km    2025-10-23

8 Samnangseong-gil, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-70-4400-1931

Operated by the same family for three generations, Geumpung Brewery preserves the history of traditional Korean wine-making on Ganghwado Island. Its makgeolli (unrefined rice wine), with a 100-year tradition, is made from top-quality eco-friendly rice grown on the island. The brewery is committed to making science-based premium rice wine. In 2021, the brewery was the first on the island to obtain a license for brewing local specialty wine (unrefined and refined rice wine) with the goal of promoting makgeolli globally, while using local ingredients. Notably, the brewery's packaging, made by upcycling rice sacks, has grabbed much attention.

Wondumak Garden (원두막가든)

12.9Km    2024-02-27

60 Jeondeungsa-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Wondumak Garden is a local cuisine restaurant in Ganghwa that has been delighting visitors since its establishment in 1990. Among its signature dishes are jeotguk galbi (salted shrimp and galbi soup) and sotbap (pot rice). Jeotguk galbi resembles a hot pot, incorporating pork galbi, pork bones, vegetables, and a salted shrimp-based broth. It is renowned for its non-spicy and clean-tasting broth, offering a distinctive and flavorful dining experience.

Dosol Museum (Hanok Gallery Cafe) (한옥카페 갤러리도솔)

13.6Km    2025-10-23

52-71 Gilsang-ro 210beon-gil, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Located on Ganghwado Island, Incheon, the museum is housed in a traditional hanok building with a café. Adorned with pine trees, it offers a relaxing space where visitors can enjoy traditional Korean desserts and drinks on the menu. In addition, it also offers various hands-on experience programs, such as mug-making.

Ganghwa Yango Ice Fishing Festival (강화 양오 빙어축제)

Ganghwa Yango Ice Fishing Festival (강화 양오 빙어축제)

13.7Km    2025-11-12

161 Jeonmang-daero 423beon-gil, Songhae-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-10-4075-5851

The Ganghwa Yango Ice Fishing Festival offers ice sledding, smelt fishing, smelt net fishing experience, making it perfect to enjoy with family. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of foods, including fried smelt fish. 

Dongmak Beach (강화 동막해변)

13.7Km    2024-11-08

1481 Haeannam-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-937-4445

Dongmak Beach is a pristine attraction with white sands surrounded by a forest of pine trees. During high tide, visitors can enjoy sun bathing, while during low tide, a large mud flat opens up for visitors to observe various sea life such as clams, crabs and more. There are many attractions nearby to see and enjoy.

Hwamunseok Cultural Center (강화화문석문화관)

Hwamunseok Cultural Center (강화화문석문화관)

13.8Km    2021-11-11

413, Jangjeongyango-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7060

Ganghwa Hwamunseok, Korea's only rush-weaving handicraft, is a cultural legacy inherited from the Goryeo period, and is a product that is exclusively produced in Ganghwa-gun. To preserve and develop its historic rush-weaving handicrafts, Ganghwa-gun constructed Hwamunseok Cultural Center at Yango-ri in Songhae-myeon, the craft's place of origin. Visitors to the cultural center will be able to view the individual features and transformations of Hwamunseok in addition to the past, present and future of rush-weaving handicrafts.