Ganghwa Island Full Day Tour

Itinerary

Hotel → Ganghwa History Museum → Dolmen → Goryeo Royal Palace Site → Lunch → JeondeungTemple → Gwangseongbo → Shopping Center → Hotel

Description

The Ganghwa island was an old battlefield where Koreans fought against foreign navies. Due to its geographical features, the island served as a temporary capitak when foreign enemies invaded the nation during the Goryeo and Chosun Dynasty. Starting from the Ganghwa Historic Museum that features historic relics of Korea, ranging from the prehistoric age to modern Korea in the early 20th century.Jeondeung Temple, a representative temple of Ganghwa Island.It was established in the 13th century under the reign of King Chungryul of the Goryo Dynasty. His wife, Queen Jeong-hwa presented a jade lamp to the temple and people began to call it Jeondeung Temple.

Tour Course Information

Ganghwa History Museum

In Joseon Dynasty, Ganghwa used to be the shelter for refuge during Jeong-Myo-Horan and Byeong-Ja-Horan (name of battles), and at the end of Joseon Era, Ganghwa witnessed the tragic history of Daewongun’s Seclusion policy (national isolation policy) and Catholic suppression, which led to the French Battleship Incidents, Byeon-In-Yangyo and Sin-Mi-Yangyo (name of battles), as well as Unyangho Incident leading to the Treaty of Ganghwado.

Goryeo Royal Palace Site

This place is site of the royal palace where the Goryeo people had resisted vigorously against Mongolian invasion for 39 years. On account of strong recommendation of generals, King Gojong moved his capital to Ganghwado with the advantage of natural and strategically point of view. Upon withdrawal of Mongolian forces, the capital was moved back to Gaeseong after the peace treaty with the Mongol concluded. Ganghwado castle was once conquered by the force of Ch’ing dynasty of China during Byeongja-Horan war in 1637.

Dolmen

As one of the representative memorial services it is appointed as Historical Site number 137 and dates back to the Bronze Age. It used vast stone measuring 710cm in length, 260cm in height, and 550cm in width. Its formation is representative of the northern Dolmen and is used for detailed research on ancient history. At the Australia Keynes 24th UNESCO World Heritage, Ganghwa dolmen was appointed as world heritage together with the Gochang and Hwasun dolmens in November 29th, 2000.

Gwangseongbo

Gwangseongbo’s outer castle wall built during Goryeo era was repaired in the 10th year of King Gwanghae of Joseon (1618), and Gwangseongbo was installed as a military camp in the 9th year of King Hyojong (1658). The outposts of Yongdu, Odu, Hwado, and Gwangseong belonging to Gwangseongbo fortress were built in the 5th year of king Sukjong (1679) In the reconstruction of the castle in the king Yeongjo installed a sign board reading “Anhaeru” to the gate tower (1745). It is a site of brave and patriotic contribution at the cost of warriors’ lives in the two battles against foreign invasions of French and America; many warriors devoted themselves to their country.

Jeondeungsa Temple

Jeondeungsa Temple is an old temple situated on Mt. Jeongjoksan. Monk Adohwasang of Goguryeo established this temple, and when Queen Jeonhwa during the reign of King Chungryeol (reign 1274~1308) donated a jade lantern to the temple, it was renamed Jeondeungsa Temple. At Jeondeungsa Temple, there are many attractions to see, including the Daeungjeon main building, and the Yaksajeon building. Inside Daeungjeon there is a peculiar statue of an ugly woman with a naked woman under her, and another figure above the pillar.