During American Invasion in 1871, Gwangseongbo Fortress was the fiercest battleground in Ganghwa and it played an important role in protecting Ganghwa Straits. Gwangseongbo Fortress is one of the must-vist tourist attraction in Autumn due to its beautiful scenery in Autumn. You may take a walk along the coast and enjoy learning about the history of Ganghwa. In this post, we will introduce you this beautiful place named Gwangseongbo Fortress, in Ganghwa Island.
Gwangseongbo Fortress, the Historic Site No. 227, is a major tourist attraction managed by Ganghwa Facilities Management Corporation. To enter this site, you need to purchase the admission ticket at the ticket office. However, if you plan to visit more than 3 tourist attractions in Ganghwa, we recommend you to buy the tickets in bundle.
- 15% discount : 3-4 sites
- 20% discount : 5 or more sites
After passing the ticket office, just continue walking up, and you will see the original form of Gwangseong Dondae (high ground) in Gwangseongbo Fortress.
It was destroyed during the American invasion, and restored in 1977. Inside this area, you will find the cannons that were used during that time, was restored, and there is a fortress around them.
Anhaeru (안해루 - 按海樓) was built as the gate tower in Gwangseongbo Fortress. From the ticket office, you can look into the inner part of Anhaeru. Here, you can enjoy a picturesque view of Ganghwa when you look beyond the Anhaeru. In the past, they used to stand at the pavilion to look out for foreign enemies entering the sea, it is now the gate the we pass through to get to the walking trail along the beautiful coast.
The walking trail along the coast at Gwangseongbo Fortress is the outer part of the fortress. You may need to climb up and down the stone steps on this relatively long trail, but you can definitely witness this awesome view of Ganghwa sea with your own eyes.
You will also find some chestnuts that fell down from the chestnut trees that are planted towards the sea. Besides that, there are also other trees such as acorns, which creates a more colorful scenery.
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| Monument for the Unnamed Soldiers and Ssangchung Stone Monument |
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| Cemetery of the righteous fighters in the Shinmi year |
If this is going to be your first time visiting Gwangseongbo in Ganghwa, you may be surprised to find a cemetery at the tourist attraction. The cemetery of the righteous fighters in the Shinmi year, is the burial place of the warriors who died while fighting with the U.S. Navy in Gwangseongbo Fortress during the American Invasion. Therefore, Gwangseongbo Fortress is indeed a good place to walk and tour around this place that has a significant history.
The trail is wide and you can see the information board from time to time.
At Gwangseongbo Fortress, there is three high grounds (dondae) including Gwangseong dondae, which was shown in the earlier part of this post. When you climb up to the Seondolmok dondae, which is piled up in the circle at the top of the hill, you can see Ganghwa area.
The autumn begins a little late in the Ganghwa Island, so you can see from the pictures that the trees have just started turning to show the autumn colours during our visit in late October. When you look out from the dondae, it feels like you are looking at a picture.
As you walk along the trail, you will be able to see the view of Ganghwa sea. It was the perfect time to enjoy the sunlight that shines through the tall trees.
Keep walking, and you will soon arrive at the Octagonal Pavilion where you can rest while enjoying the pretty sea view. The surrounding area is filled with fallen leaves, and whenever you walk on it, it creates a funny, rustling sound.
The road heading to Yongdudondae, the last high grounds of Gwangseongbo Fortress, makes you feel like you are walking along the city wall. The bridgehead was built on the natural bed rock that portrays a dragon head, and it is along the Ganghwa Straits. This is a historical site where fierce battles happened during the period of French Expedition, and as well as American Invasion. If you look out to the coast from Yongdudondae, you can see a bulwarks heading the sea.
Autumn is the only season to see a golden colour bulwarks. The trail is well built along the bulwarks, so don't be afraid to take a walk and enjoy the autumn season in Ganghwa Island.
The sound of the grass bugs in the bushes remind us of the autumn season. Here is where you can enjoy both dense forest and breathtaking view of the sea. Why don't you come and enjoy yourself at Gwangseongbo Fortress, Ganghwa Island, in your next Autumn trip to Korea?
[Information about Gwangseongbo Fort (Ganghwa Island)]
1. Getting there : At AREX Geomam Station, take bus #700-1 or #700 ▶ Get off at Chojidaegyo bridge, take bus #53 or #53A ▶ Get off at Gwangseongbo Fort, walk 2 mins
2. Address :
3. Operating hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00 (Ticket office closes at 17:50)
4. Contact : +82-32-930-7070
5. Admission fee : KRW 1,100 (Adult) / KRW 700 (child, teenager)
*Note: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, please remember to keep social distancing, wash hands frequently, obey cough etiquettes and wear a mask. Stay safe, everyone.
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