Gwangseongbo Fortress
Gwangseongbo Fortress: This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) looks busy (daily crowd index 95); the quietest day in the next 30 days is Fri, Nov 6; weekday average 28, weekend average 77; the quietest day of the week is Monday.
Gwangseongbo Fortress’s outer wall from the Goryeo era was mended in 1618. The fortress was built in 1656 and the outpost was constructed in 1679. It was completely remodeled into
a masonry castle with gates in 1745. During Sinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871), Gwangseongbo was the fiercest battle ground in Ganghwa. On April 24, 1871, a
fleet with 1,230 American naval forces led by Rear Admiral John Rodgers landed on Ganghwado Island to demand the
opening of Korea's ports and commerce. The armed forces attacked Chojijin Fortress
and Deokjinjin Camp, then marched to Gwangseongbo Fortress, where they engaged in close combat with the warriors of Joseon. Although General Eo Jae-yeon and the other warriors were poorly equipped with far inferior weapons, they bravely fought to the
death against the invading forces.
The battlefield ruins of the fortress and the gate towers such as Anhaeru, Gwangseongdon, Sondolmokdon, and Yongdudon were repaired
in 1977. The twin tombs of General Eo Jae-Yeon and his brother Eo Jae-seon, along with the anonymous tombs of warriors who died on the battlefield were
also honorably arranged at the same time. Furthermore, a stone monument commemorating the restoration of Ganghwa Battlefield was erected on Yongdudondae Post.
In 1988, an extensive rest area was created toward the shore for visitors’ convenience. Gwangseongbo Fortress is presently designated as Historical Relic No. 227. A religious service known as Gwangseongje is held annually to commemorate the patriotic spirits of General Eo Jae-yeon and other unnamed warriors. This service takes place at 11 a.m. on every April 24th of the lunar calendar.
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
- Address
- 27, Haeandong-ro 466beon-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
- Opening hours
- 09:00-18:00
- Closed
- N/A (Open all year round)
- Parking
- Available
- Parking nearby
- 1 lot within 500 m · about 75 spaces
- Sunrise / sunset
- Sat, Oct 31: sunrise 06:57 · sunset 17:38
- Phone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-32-930-7070
Gwangseongbo Fortress: least crowded days in the next 30 days
This is the daily crowd index forecast by the Korea Tourism Organization from mobile-network data. 100 = this place's busiest period, so 50 means about half as busy as its peak. It covers the whole day — even busy days can be quiet early in the morning or in the evening.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2848 | 2963 | 3035 | 3195 | |||
| 11/173 | 221 | 331 | 431 | 524 | 619 | 776 |
| 878 | 922 | 1034 | 1129 | 1222 | 1319 | 1489 |
| 1567 | 1621 | 1725 | 1824 | 1920 | 2021 | 2164 |
| 2271 | 2322 | 2423 | 2523 | 2630 |
Quiet (under 55) Moderate Busy (80+) Closed · red dates are Sundays and public holidays
| Quieter weekends & holidays | Sun, Nov 15 67 · Sat, Nov 21 64 · Sun, Nov 22 71 |
|---|---|
| Quietest days | Fri, Nov 6 19 · Fri, Nov 13 19 · Thu, Nov 19 20 |
| Busiest days | Sat, Oct 31 95 · Sun, Nov 8 78 · Sat, Nov 14 89 |
| Weekday / weekend average | Weekdays 28 · weekends 77 |
| Average by day of week | Mon 22 · Tue 28 · Wed 31 · Thu 32 · Fri 24 · Sat 81 · Sun 72 (bold = quietest day) |
Festivals & events nearby
- Gimpo Haebyeongdae Munhwachukje In Daemyeonghang 김포 해병대 문화축제 in 대명항 Sat, Nov 7 · 3 km
FAQ
- Is there parking at Gwangseongbo Fortress?
- Yes (Available). On weekends and holidays the car park fills up early, so arrive in the morning.
- What are the opening hours of Gwangseongbo Fortress?
- 09:00-18:00. Hours can change by season or for events, so check before you go. Times are Korea time (KST).
- Which day is Gwangseongbo Fortress least crowded?
- Based on the Korea Tourism Organization forecast for the next 30 days, Monday is the quietest day of the week (average 22) and Saturday the busiest (average 81). The single quietest day is Fri, Nov 6.
- What time should I visit Gwangseongbo Fortress to avoid the crowds?
- Tourist spots are usually busiest between 11:00 and 14:00. Arriving right after opening (09:00) or late in the afternoon is much calmer. The Noonchi app shows a score for every departure time from your location.
- Will Gwangseongbo Fortress be crowded this weekend?
- This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) is forecast to be busy (daily crowd index 95; 100 = busiest period). Even on busy days, early morning and late afternoon are calmer.
Nearby attractions
- Ganghwa Deokjinjin Fortress 1.7 km · Historic site
- Baramsupgeurimchaekdoseogwan 바람숲그림책도서관 2.7 km · Hands-on learning
- Dosol Museum (Hanok Gallery Cafe) 3.2 km · Museum & gallery
- Ganghwa Chojijin 강화 초지진 3.5 km · Historic site
- Oktokki Space Center 4.0 km · Experience
- Chojidaegyo 초지대교 4.0 km · Landmark
- Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center 4.2 km · Temple & religious site
- Ganghwa Haesoo Land 4.2 km · Wellness