Depart from Incheon Port for approximately 75-minute drive to Ganghwa Island.
Ganghwa Island, Ganghwa Peace Observatory & Local Lunch
Start your day by visiting Ganghwa Peace Observatory, which is a building with 1 story below ground and 4 stories above ground, was constructed on the forest land in the northern area of the Civilian Passage Restriction Line at Cheolsan-ri Yangsa-myeon. It can be recalled that the entry to this area was once strictly prohibited for the general public since the end of 2006. Since its public opening on September 5, 2008, it has been providing accessibility to visitors for them to get an in-depth look on the unique cultural ecosystem of North Korea that may not be experienced in other areas. The basement and the 4th floor space are exclusively used for military purposes.
The 1st floor space is used for restaurants, administration offices, guest rooms and specialty shops selling specialty goods originated from Ganghwa and North Korea. The 2nd floor space is equipped with a high-performance telescope that enables a visitor to view images such as 'Defense Experience at Ganghwa' that depicts the traces and misery of war, 'Endless War and We, the Korean Race' that reminds the visitors about the provocation of North Korea, Comparison of Military power between South and North, and Unification Policy, 'Way to Unification' that enables the visitors to relive the experience of the trip to North Korea. Aside from the high-performance telescope, there is also an image providing device that shows a variety of images including the background of Korean War at that time, the process of occurrence of wars at home and abroad, and the damage sustained due to the war. At the 3rd floor, there is an observatory facility where the visitors can view the exquisite sceneries offered by the mountains and rivers. Being equipped with a highly advanced screen, this observatory facility is very much capable such that the feather of North Korea can be easily seen through the image even in bad weather condition.
Yongheunggung Palace & Ganghwa Anglican Church, Joseon's First Hanok-style Catholic Church
Go on and visit Yongheunggung Palace where King Cheoljong (r. 1849-1863) used to live before his ascension to throne. The chief of Ganghwa County, Jeong Gi-se, enlarged the original residence and named it Yongheunggung (meaning palace of the rising dragon) in the 4th year of King Cheoljong's reign. Its architectural features include a paljak (Korean traditional half-hipped roof) and supporting columns rendered in Jusimpo style, the column brackets placed only on top of the columns. The palace was built in the tradition of dwelling houses such as the Yeongyeongdang and Nakseonjae houses in Changdeokgung Palace, so the palace buildings give off a simple and plain atmosphere. Within the precincts of the palace are a memorial stone and a monument house indicating that the palace used to be the old home of King Cheoljong.
Have also a look to Ganghwa Anglican Church, Joseon's First Hanok-style Catholic Church. The Anglican church was first introduced to Ganghwado in 1890 and English Father Wangrando commenced preaching of the gospel right after he procured a house of residential church in Gapgotni in 1893. Meanwhile, Father Wangrando returned to his country and Father Joma succeedingly assigned to Joseon arriving at Ganghwa in 1896, then he evangelized Kim Maga (Kim Hui jun) in Ganghwaeup, and also opened Yeonghwawon, a nursery house, to take care of many patients in means of western medical techniques.
Joyangbanggik Gallery & Café & Ganghwa Pungmul & Ginseng Market
Relax and enjoy a tea at Joyangbanggik Gallery & Café. Before getting a popular spot, it used to be a textile manufacturing factory that was well known in Ganghwa. However it had been closed since 1990. Nowadays, using contemporary heritages as decoration, it becomes a very trendy cafe.
End the tour with some shopping at Ganghwa Pungmul & Ginseng Market . The Folk Flea Market was built in 2007, being converted from Ganghwa Folk Market as part of the County's project of creating numerous tourist attractions. Folk Flea Market and raw fish center are being opened at the 1st floor where the visitors can have fun not only in enjoying fresh raw fish but also in bargaining the prices with the merchants. Folk Flea Market and restaurants are opened at the 2nd floor so as to provide edible wonders that are not just pleasing to the palate but also to the eyes.
Your tour concludes with approximately 75-minute drive back to the port of Incheon.