Ganghwasanseong Fortress Audio Guide & Tour — Things to Do in Incheon, Korea

About

Ganghwasanseong Fortress is a fortress originally built when the capital was moved to Ganghwa to fight against the Mongolian invasion during the Goryeo period. It underwent comprehensive repairs and expansion during the Joseon period, and it is a pogok-style fortress connecting Buksan Mountain, Namsan Mountain, and Gyeonjasan Mountain, with a circumference of about 7,122m. It consists of four main gates: Anparu (Nammun (South Gate)), Cheomhwaru (Seomun (West Gate)), Jinsongru (Bukmun (North Gate)), and Manghanru (Dongmun (East Gate)), harmonizing with Water Gates (Sumun), Secret Gates (Ammun), and command posts.

It is also the site of major historical events such as the French invasion in 1866 and the Treaty of Ganghwado Island, making it a great historical site to feel the breath of history and enjoy the scenery of Ganghwa town while walking along the fortress wall path.

Stories you can hear here

13 stories · about 20 min

IntroThe Earthen Walls Built Against Mongolia29 sec
SpotNammun (South Gate)A Wish for Peace Carved into the Anparu Signboardabout 1 min
SpotBukmun (North Gate)Bukmun (North Gate), Where a Pavilion Was Finally Raised in 1783about 2 min
SpotSeomun (West Gate)The Cheomhwaru Signboard at Seomun (West Gate) of Ganghwaabout 2 min
SpotDongmun (East Gate)Manghanru at Dongmun (East Gate), Built in 2003about 1 min

Show 8 more

SpotNamjangdae WatchtowerNamjangdae Watchtower Commanding from the Summit of Namsan Mountainabout 2 min
SpotWater Gates (Sumun)The Two Water Gates (Sumun) Hidden Under the Fortress Wallsabout 1 min
SpotSite of Yeonmudang PavilionYeonmudang, the Site of the 1876 Treatyabout 2 min
SpotSecret Gates (Ammun)The Secret Passage Hidden in the Fortress Wallabout 2 min
SpotGanghwasanseong Fortress WallThe 3-Meter Stone Walls of Ganghwasanseong Fortressabout 1 min
StoryThe Fortress Named After Song-aksan Mountain in Gaegyeongabout 2 min
StoryThe Hidden Story of Ganghwasanseong Fortressabout 1 min
StoryThe Turbulent History of the Fortress Walls That Swallowed Gunpowder Flamesabout 3 min

Preview

The island fortress walls that the ancient Goryeo kingdom defended for 39 years against invasions from Mongolia were originally built of earth, not stone. The defenders had to tear these earthen walls down completely when the royal court returned to the old capital of Gaegyeong. Later, during the Joseon Dynasty, the fortress was rebuilt using solid stone. As you walk along the fortress path, you can reflect on the centuries of history built into this site.

Keep listening in the app — stories play automatically by GPS as you get close.Keep listening in the app

Visitor info

Address: San 3 Gukhwa-ri, Gukhwa-ri, Sinmun-ri, Gwancheong-ri, Namsan-ri, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
Hours: Always open
Closed: Open all year round