Incheon, South Korea's third largest city, is another must-visit place if you come to visit Korea. One of the most popular tourist sites in Incheon is an island called Ganghwa-do (Ganghwa Island). Ganghwa-do is the fifth largest island in Korea and is located in the West Sea. This island is popular for the countless historic relics as there were people living on this island from the prehistoric times. You can also find a lot of beautiful natural environment and interactive courses on this island. North Korea is directly accross the channel on the north coast of the island, so if you visit Ganghwa-do you can see North Korea from just 1.8km apart.
> Directions :
1. Sinchon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 1. Go forward for 5 minutes towards the GS25 convenience store. Take Bus 3000 to Ganghwa Intercity Bus Terminal. (Bus schedule: 05:40-23:20, 15-20min intervals) OR Take Bus 3100 to Hwado Intercity Bus Terminal. (Bus schedule: 06:00-22:50, 40-50min intervals) 2. Take Korea Train Express (KTX) to Yeongdeungpo Station. Take Bus 1 to Ganghwa Intercity Bus Terminal. (Bus schedule: 05:30-23:40, 10-15min intervals) OR Take Bus 88 to Ganghwa Intercity Bus Terminal. (Bus schedule: 05:30-23:40, 1hr30min-2hr intervals)
Details : www.ganghwa.incheon.kr (English, Korean, Japanese, chinese)
Below are some recommended places if you get to visit Ganghwa-do.
1. Ganghwa Literary House
In this place you can see the works of old writers related to the island who left their marks on Korean literary history such as Lee Gyu-bo, Jeong Cheol and Jeong Je-du. Ganghwa Literary House also hosts literary classes and lectures, promoting area literatures as a place for teaching creative writing.
> Address : 40, Gwancheong-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun (inside Yongheunggung Park)
> Phone : 032-933-0605
> Free admission from 09.00~18.00, Closed Mondays, January 1, Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok
2. Ganghwa Anglican Church 대한성공회 강화성당
In 1900, Korea's first Anglican church was built after the first Korean was baptized on Ganghwa-do. The church was built by C. John Corfe, the first bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea. From the outside, the church looks just like a Korean traditional house, but the interior of the church is adapted from the Western style.
> Address : 10, Gwancheong-gil 27beon-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun
인천광역시 강화군 강화읍 관청길27번길 10
> Phone : 032-930-3627
3. Ganghwa Hwamunseok Culture Hall 강화화문석문화관
Hwamunseok in Korean means flower-patterned mattress. Ganghwa hwamuseok has been developed through a cottage industry since the mid-Goryeo Dynasty and Ganghwa-do is the only place in Korea that makes sedge handicrafts. In this place you can see the development process of flower-patterned mattresses and sedge handicrafts.
You can even make your own handicrafts in this place!
> Address : 413, Jangjeongyango-gil, Songhae-myeonGanghwa-gun, Incheon
인천광역시 강화군 송해면 장정양오길 413 (송해면)
> Phone : +82-32-930-7060, 7061
> Operating Hours : November-February 09:00-17:00 March-May, September-October 09:00-18:00 June-August 09:00-19:00
4. Goryeogung Palace Site 고려궁지
The Goryeogung Palace Site was built after the Goryeo Dynasty moved its capital from Gyegyeong to Ganghwa to fight Mongolian invaders.
> Address : 42, Bukmun-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun 인천광역시 강화군 강화읍 북문길 42 (강화읍)
> Phone : 032-930-3515
> Admission fee : Adults KRW 900 , Youth KRW 600/ 09:00~18:00
5. Ganghwa Peace Observatory (DMZ) 강화평화전망대
North Korea is located just 1.8km from Ganghwa-do, and from the Ganghwa Peace Observatory you can see the unique culture and ecosystem of North Korea up close.
> Address : Around San 6-1beonji, Cheolsan-ri, Yangsa-myeon, Ganghwa-gun
인천광역시 강화군 양사면 전망대로 797 (양사면)
> Phone : 032-930-7062, 7065
> Children : KRW 1,000, Youths: KRW 1,700, Adults : KRW 2,500
> Summer season : March-October 09:00~18:00 , Winter season : November-February 09:00~17:00
This tour is sponsored by Incheon Tourism Organization (More details : +82-32-899-7300)