Gwangseongbo Fortress (광성보)

14.9Km 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.

Gimpo Munsusanseong Fortress (김포 문수산성)

14.9Km 2022-12-20

Ponae-ri, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-980-2485

Munsusanseong Fortress was built on Munsusan Mountain in 1694, during the 20th year of the reign of King Sukjong, the 19th king of the Joseon dynasty. The fortress as designed to defend Gwanghwado Island from marine invasion. At the time, the fortress had north, west, and south gates, but they were destroyed in a fire during the Byeong-in Yangyo (1866). The north gate was restoryed in 1995 and the south gate in 2002. The fortress walls span 6 kilometers in length, 4 kilometers of which remain unrestored. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, the top of the fortress commands a spectacular view spanning from North Korea to the Hangang River inlet, and from Samgaksan Mountain to the sea off Incheon in the distance. It is often referred to as the Geumgangsan Mountain of Gimpo as it boasts superb scenery throughout all four seasons. The mountain is home to Munsusa Temple, established during the reign of Silla King Jinseong.

Yeonmijeong Pavilion (연미정)

15.5Km 2022-08-30

242, Wolgot-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-3124

Yeonmijeong Pavilion is Incheon's Tangible Cultural Asset No. 24 (designated on March 1, 1995).

While the exact date of construction is unknown, the pavilion was greatly damaged and then rebuilt afterwards due to the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the Byeongja Chinese Invasion in 1636, and the Korean War on June 25, 1950.

The name Yeonmi comes from the swallow tail-shape of Imjingang River and Yeomhagang River ('yeon' means swallow and ‘mi’ means a tail). As the pavilion stands on top of Wolgotdondae, visitors can see Paju-si, Gimpo-si, Gaepung-gun in Hwanghae-do (North Korea) at a glance.

Boreumdo Island (Spoonbill Eco Village) (볼음도(저어새 생태마을))

15.8Km 2024-02-15

595-1 Boreumdo-ri, Seodo-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

Boreumdo Island, situated in Seodo-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, is renowned as a habitat for spoonbills. The spoonbill, a rare migratory bird with a global population of around 3,000 individuals, finds refuge on this island. Since 2012, Boreumdo Island has been designated as a protected habitat for spoonbills, offering various experiential programs aimed at fostering an understanding of the tidal flat ecosystem. Key experiences include clam digging, net usage, and mudskipper fishing.

Ganghwado Jejeokbong Peace Observatory (강화도제적봉 평화전망대 )

15.9Km 2021-10-23

797, Jeonmangdae-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7062

Ganghwado Jejeokbong Peace Observatory was constructed in the northern area of the Civilian Restricted Zone in Cheolsan-ri, Yangsa-myeon. Entry to this area was strictly prohibited to the general public until 2008. The observatory allows visitors to take a closer look at the natural beauty the lies beyond the northern border. The observatory consists of four floors. The basement and fourth floor are used by the military; the first floor sells regional produce from Ganghwado Island and specialty products from North Korea, and the second and third floors make up the audio-visual rooms with materials related to North Korea and an observatory where one can observe the Northern territory from afar.

Deokpojin Museum of Education (덕포진교육박물관)

16.0Km 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.

Ganghwa Chojijin Fortress (강화 초지진)

16.2Km 2021-02-10

58, Haeandong-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7072

Chojijin Fortress is believed to have been built in 1655 (6th year of King Hyojong) for the purpose of national defense against coastal attacks from foreign enemies based on articles regarding the construction of Chojijin Fortress. The fortress was the scene of many hard-fought battles including the invasions of America and Japan in the 1870s. The site was then taken by the foreign troops due to the inferior fighting power of the Korean military, and very nearly completely destroyed. In 1876 (13th year of King Gojong), the Japanese warship Unyangho invaded and forced the Joseon Kingdom to open their ports, which later led to the forced signing of the Jana-Korea Treaty of 1876. Only the base of the fortress and the site of the high ground remained until 1973, when restoration work was started. The patriotic spirit of the Joseon dynasty still remains in this historic site.

Gimpo Hamsang Park (김포함상공원)

16.4Km 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.

Ganghwa Haesoo Land (강화해수랜드)

16.6Km 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.

Gimpo Daemyeong Port (김포 대명항)

16.6Km 2023-02-02

109, Daemyeonghang 1-ro, Daegot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do

The piercing smell of salt, the energy of freshly caught fish, fishing boats returning from far out at sea, and people walking in and out of the fish market and raw fish restaurants - these are the scenes of Daemyeong Port in Daegot-myeon, Gimpo where the fresh vigor of life is vividly alive. It is located just 30 minutes from Gimpo Airport by car so it is close to Seoul. Fishermen and owners of fishing boats personally run raw fish restaurants so the prices of raw fish are about 20% cheaper here than at other ports, according to the people of Daemyeong Port. Raw fish restaurants that you first encounter at the entrance of the port have tanks filled with freshly caught fish, and fishing nets spread out here and there vividly show the unique characteristics of a port. As it is the only port on the coast of Ganghwado Island, you are able to fully enjoy the beautiful seascape. The port is also receiving a great deal of attention both locally and nationwide thanks to the Daemyeong Type 2 Fishery Harbor project and the Pungeoje Festival. In 2001, Daemyeong Port was selected as one of the "7 Winter Seas recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization" for its beautiful seascape and flavors of a traditional port. Facing Ganghwado across Ganghwa Strait, Daemyeong Port is not as busy with tourists as Sorae Port or Yeonan Pier and boasts quiet and affectionate scenes of a fishing village. Nearby lies Deokpojin Fort, which is a historical site where our ancestors in the late Joseon Dynasty fought against foreign forces.

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