Gimpo & Ganghwado Island Day Trip: Hidden Gems Where River Meets Sea

Gimpo and Ganghwado Island: A Day Trip Where River Meets Sea

Just an hour's drive from Seoul, Gimpo in Gyeonggi-do Province and Ganghwado Island in Incheon's Ganghwa-gun County mark the point where the Hangang River flows into the West (Yellow) Sea and joins the Imjin River. As spring days grow longer, a tranquil atmosphere awaits visitors here.

Aegibong Peace Ecological Park: See North Korea Up Close

The journey begins at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gimpo, a city famous for its airport but also for bordering Gaeseong, a North Korean border city.

An exhibition hall at the end of the road from the parking lot offers a glimpse of Gimpo's ecology and history. A virtual reality train highlights the historical district of Gaeseong, the ancient capital of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), including Manwoldae, the kingdom's main palace.

Gaepung-gun County of North Korea is spread out just 1.4 km from the observatory, where visitors can see people farming and living in the mountains and fields. The scene is peaceful, as no boats can enter or leave the area.

Aegibong Park is a civilian-controlled zone where entry requires ID confirmation. Online reservations are recommended; admission costs KRW 3,000.

Jeondeungsa Temple: Restore Mind and Body in Nature

Crossing the Ganghwa Strait leads to Jeondeungsa Temple, the nation's oldest surviving Buddhist temple, erected when Buddhism was introduced to the Korean Peninsula during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-668 A.D.).

Going up from the parking lot leads to the south gate of Samnangseong Fortress, whose name means "three men" — a reference to the sons of Dangun, the mythical founder of Korea, who legend says built it. This is also where Joseon Dynasty forces in 1866 defeated a French army invading Ganghwado.

Within the temple compound, centuries-old trees create a serene venue for a leisurely stroll, and the promenade along the fortress walls overlooks the Ganghwa Strait.

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Hwamunseok (Sedge Mats): Distinct Traditional Handicrafts

Another highlight of Ganghwado is hwamunseok — traditional sedge mats. Woven from rush designs using sedges, the mats are cool in summer and warm in winter. Their main pattern is floral, but others include dragons, mandarin ducks, butterflies and the Hanja character 亞, each with its own symbolism.

Visitors can experience the elaborate mat-making process at the Ganghwadoryeong Hwamunseok facility. "We use sedges that grow well in the strong sea breeze of Ganghwado Island. Because it takes over 600,000 trimmings, high prices are inevitable," said Park Yoon-hwan, a researcher specializing in hwamunseok preservation.

Ganghwa Pungmul Market in nearby Ganghwa-eup offers a plethora of mat designs.

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Dongmak Beach: Don't Miss the Grilled Clams

Dongmak Beach on Ganghwado Island is famous for its stunning sunsets. Grilled clams at the beach restaurants are a can't-miss seafood delicacy on the island, and visitors can feed seagulls shrimp crackers along the shore.