Ganghwado Island

Ganghwado Island, off the west coast, is the fifth largest island in Korea located 1 hour from Seoul.

It has very rich heritages such as lots of dolmens (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) that are amazing prehistoric remains, fortresses that were used to protect Korea, Peace Observatory to see the North Korean coastline and people from around 1.8km, gorgeous old temples, beach, and so on. Actually, it is famous for the Chamseongdan Altar on top of Mt. Manisan where Dangun Wanggeom, the first Korean Kingdom offered sacrificial rites to the heavens.

This island has many famous local products, including the medicinally effective Ganghwa ginseng and Hwamunseok, a sedge mat woven with various patterns.

The Tripitaka Koreana, 81,258 wooden printing blocks (UNESCO memory of the world) in 13 century was made on this island for praying to protect from Mongolian invasion. At that time Koryeo dynasty moved from Gaeseong, the capital, to this island to fight against the Mongolian troops. Tourists can visit the palace site of Goryeo from 1232 to 1270.

1. Palace Site of Goryeo Dynasty

The palace of Goryeo was built in the 13 century as King moved his capital to Ganghwado Island with the advantage of natural and strategical points of view against Mongolian invasion. Upon the withdrawal of Mongolian forces after vigorous resistance for 39 years, the capital was moved back to Gaeseong after the peace treaty with the Mongols concluded and then the palace was subsequently destroyed.

In Joseon dynasty, the consolidated palace including many subsidiaries such as Waegyujanggak national library, Haenggung king's family's residence and etc. were built on the very site of the previously existing Goryeo palace. These buildings were burnt down by the French navy during Byeongin yangyo conflict in 1866. 

2. Gangwha Peace Observatory

Ganghwa Peace Observatory is located on the north of the island It provides historical information about the Korean War (1950-1953).

When driving to the Ganghwa Peace observatory, visitors need to pass through a military gate, feeling that they enter a military zone.

It offers the chance to see a beautiful natural environment and the coastline of North Korea.  It is very impressive to see how close is North Korea away just 1.8km. It may provide a special experience whenever visitors see people living on the other side of the border completely through a telescope.

3. Hwamunseok Cultural Center

Hwamunseok is the legacy of our cultural life as it is inherited from Goryeo (10c~14c) period, being the product that is exclusively produced in this island Ganghwa-gun.

In this Center, the visitor can appreciate various handicrafts as well as beautiful Hwamunseok made with sedges. In addition, the visitors can have an opportunity to make a rush-made product and Hwamunseok under the guidance of a handicraftsman.

4. Dolmen Hwamunseok Cultural Center

There are more than 30,000 dolmens in South Korea, nearly 40% of the world dolmens.

Dolmen are stone tombs dating from prehistoric times in Korea. In Ganghwado remains some of the main dolmens and they were designated as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage along with the dolmens in Gochang and Hwasun.

5. Jeondeungsa Temple

Jeondeungsa Temple is located in Samnangseong Fortress and was first constructed in 372.

Jeondeungsa Temple contains significant architectural works, including the main building Daeungbojeon Hall (a Treasure), built in 1621. Visitors can see the names of soldiers written on the walls and columns of Daeungbojeon Hall. These soldiers fought against the French Navy in 1866.

6. Dongmak Beach

Dongmak Beach is a pristine attraction with white sands surrounded by a forest of pine trees. During high tide, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, 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.

7. Others

(a) Minmeoru Beach

Minmeoru beach is a sandy beach with a beautiful atmosphere. Tourists can catch shells, relax on this beach, and spend a beautiful day.

(B) Bomunsa Temple

Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmodo Island connected with Ganghwado Island. It is believed to have been founded in 635. The temple faces out to the ocean, with the sound of waves reaching all the way to the main building. 

(C) Gyodongdo Island

Gyodongdo Island is located northwest of Ganghwado Island and is accessible with a bridge. 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.

Why not visit Cheorwon?

The area of Cheorwon is a newly rising tourist attraction area in Korea. It was the old capital in the 10 century and it is known as the arena of Lim GGeok-Jeong, a legendary thief in the 16 century.

Cheorwon is the only divided area in the world after the Korean War in 1950-1953, where peace and war coexist with a well-preserved DMZ, a scar of the Korean War, and war-related sites. This area was 

The clear water of Hantangang River and basalt gorges create a beautiful watercolor painting. The river's basin region was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020. The area was formed by hot lava 50,000 to 100,000 years ago.

In addition, every winter tens of thousands of migratory birds fly here, making it famous as a world-renowned habitat for them.

Anyone who is interested in a tour of Cheorwon area can contact JS Kim (joongsukkim@naver.com).

* Every Tuesday, Lunar New Year Day, Chuseok Day off

1. Goseokjeong

Goseokjeong is the whole area of the 10m high Giambong located in the center of the Hantangang River and the surroundings of the basalt valley. It is a well-known place for rafting in summer and ice trekking in winter. 

In the winter season, tourists can watch spectacular rocky cliffs and columnar joints of the Hantangang River gorge while walking on the ice and water along the river. 

2. Jiktang Falls

Jiktang Falls is made of natural straight-lined rocks between oddly-shaped cliffs of the Hantanggang River gorge. With the size of 80m wide and 3m high, it is spectacular to see a waterfall falling both in summer and winter.

In the summer season, Hantangan River is the best rafting spot in Korea, making the best thrill with the view of columnar joints and rocky cliffs.

3. North Korean Workers' Party Headquarters

It is the headquarters building of the North Korean Workers’ Party. This area had been managed by North Korea for 5 years before the Korean War. It was bombed during the Korean War and now only the frames remain with a lot of bullet holes.

4. Hantangang River Milky Way Bridge & Columnar Joints

   Road (Plank Road)

Hantangang River Milky Way Bridge was planned for tourists to explore along the river basin, which is registered as UNESCO World Geopark.

The bridge is named the Milky Way (Eunhasu) meaning a path made up of stars, which is famous for its beautiful landscape.

Located in the Hantangang River UNESCO World Geopark, it is 3.6km long and 15m wide. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery with columnar joints gorge and various types of rods.

5. Cheorwon Peace Observatory & The 2nd Tunnel

Tourists can see North Korea at a glance at the northernmost tip of the central front in this observatory.

This tunnel is known as the North Korean second tunnel for their sudden raid to South Korea. It was discovered in the DMZ in 1975.

6. Woljeong-ri Station

Located near the South Limit Line of DMZ, Woljeong-ri Station was a simple station. It is one of the symbols of the division of Korea. There is some wreckage of a train there with a signboard written as ‘Train Wants to Run’. 

‘Train Wants to Run'

7. Others

(A) Sambuyeon Fall

It is a waterfall 1m wide and 20m high, flowing between the oddly-shaped cliffs of Mt. Myeongseongsan and the dense forests surrounding the fall.

(B) Seungni Observatory

The name 'Seungni' literally means victory in war. It is located located in the center of the 155 miles of the Military Demarcation Line. Tourists can see the fierce battlefield during the Korean War and some North Korean lands. It can't be viewed personally thus tourists can enter only with a guide at a certain given time after submitting the form.

(C) Geumgangsan Mountain Electric Railroad Bridge

Constructed in 1926, this bridge was for the electric railroad in Mt. Geumgangsan. It has not been run anymore as it symbolically shows the reality of the division of Korea into the north and the south.

(D) Baengmagoji Exhibition Hall

Baengmagoji was one of the most fierce battlefields during the Korean War. In the battle against the Chinese army for 10 days from Oct. 6, 1952, 300 thousand cannons exploded altogether, and the owner of this battlefield had changed 24 times. With the bombing of either side, a 395-meter forested mountain lost its original form so the new form is reminded of bengma, meaning a white horse, lying down. A monument and exhibition hall were built to commemorate the spirits.

* Some of the information and photos are from Cheowon-gun site.