[Harumanbo] The Road Crossing the History of Ganghwa Island... Ganghwa Nadeulgil Course 5

Course 5 of Ganghwa Nadeulgil starts from Ganghwa Bus Terminal and passes through Ganghwa Fortress, Gukhwa Reservoir, Hongneung, Gobi Pass, Osangri Dolmen Cluster, Goryeo Reservoir, Gotchang Gutdang, and ends at Oepo Passenger Terminal. Starting from the east side of Ganghwa Island, it crosses the middle of Goryeosan Mountain and stretches across the island’s waist to the western coast, simultaneously traversing Ganghwa’s history from dolmens to fortresses and royal tombs. Since it crosses over a mountain, it requires passing over Gobi Pass in the middle, which is why Course 5 is also nicknamed Gobi Pass Road. The total length is 20.2 km, and the estimated time is 6 hours and 40 minutes.

Starting from Ganghwa Bus Terminal, you soon reach Ganghwa Fortress. Ganghwa Fortress was first built in the 1230s during the late Goryeo period when the Mongols invaded. At that time, it was constructed as an earthen fortress, but it was all demolished after Goryeo’s submission to the Mongols. In the early Joseon period, the fortress was rebuilt with stone walls, but it was destroyed again during the Byeongjahoran (Second Manchu invasion). It was rebuilt once more in 1677. Currently, the fortress has the South Gate called Anparu, the North Gate called Jinsongru, the West Gate called Cheomhwalu, and the East Gate called Manghanru, along with four secret tunnels and two water gates. The eastern part of the fortress has been completely demolished, but the fortress walls on the northern and southern mountain slopes have been restored.

Passing through the South and West Gates of Ganghwa Fortress and continuing westward, you will come across Gukhwa Reservoir. In autumn, reeds and silver grass rise above the water surface, and there is also an aquatic botanical garden and a nature learning center. Additionally, a well-maintained walking trail along the reservoir allows visitors to enjoy a comfortable stroll. Every spring, azaleas bloom profusely on Goryeosan Mountain in this area, and the Goryeosan Azalea Festival is held in April.

Walking along the path, you will reach Hongneung. To distinguish it from the Joseon Dynasty Hongneung located around Seoul, it is called Ganghwa Hongneung or Goryeo Ganghwa Hongneung. It is the tomb of King Gojong, the 23rd king of Goryeo. Since King Gojong was the monarch who moved the capital to Ganghwa Island during the Mongol invasion period, unlike other Goryeo kings whose tombs are mostly located in North Korea, he was buried on Ganghwa Island.

Beyond Hongneung, the real mountain pass begins. This is Gobi Pass Road, located between Goryeosan Mountain to the north and Hyeolgusan Mountain to the south. It is a path connecting the west and east sides of the island, frequently traveled by peddlers who roamed the island’s five-day markets and villagers who sold agricultural products at the markets.

Ossangri Dolmen Cluster in Ganghwa-gun [Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

The next place you will encounter is the Osangri Dolmen Cluster. Dolmens are representative tombs of the Bronze Age and are called megalithic tombs. They are classified into northern style, southern style, and open style. The 12 dolmens distributed in the Osangri Dolmen Cluster are all northern style. They are also called table-type dolmens, where four supporting stones are erected to create a stone chamber above ground, and a huge flat capstone is placed on top. Stone knives, stone arrowheads, and plain pottery have been excavated here, providing important materials for studying the lifestyle of that era.

After passing Goryeo Reservoir, you will find Gotchang Gutdang. This is the place where the Gotchang Gut, a village ritual of Oepo-ri, is held for three days every three years in early February of the lunar calendar. Residents of Jeongpo Village, who engage in fishing, and Daejeong Village, who farm, join forces to invite the Deukje General and pray for the village’s peace and prosperity in their livelihoods. It features a unique act called Jakdutagi (scissor riding), which is rarely seen in other fishing festivals. Finally, after passing Mangyangdondae, the course ends at Oepo Bus Terminal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.