[One Day Walk] Ganghwa Nadeulgil Course 6, Steeped in Patriotic Spirit That Repelled Mongolia and the United States

Course 6 of the Ganghwa Nadeulgil starts from Ganghwa Bus Terminal and passes through Seonwonsa Site, Samdongamcheon, Hwanam's Birthplace, and ends at Gwangseongbo. Course 5 is nicknamed Gobigogae-gil. It is 20.2 km long and takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes. There is the birthplace of Hwanam Go Jaehyung, who left the travelogue "Simdogihaeng" after touring the Ganghwa area in 1906, so it is also called "the road to Hwanam's Birthplace." Additionally, it includes the Seonwonsa Site, where the Daejangdogam was established to create the Tripitaka Koreana, now called the "Palman Daejanggyeong," during the Goryeo period when Ganghwa was the temporary capital to repel foreign invaders, and Gwangseongbo, a fierce battleground during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo when the U.S. military fought fiercely, allowing visitors to feel the patriotic spirit of ancestors. The total length is 18.8 km, and the estimated time is 6 hours.

Starting from Ganghwa Bus Terminal and heading south, you pass through a wide rice field called Gosikidulpyeon and enter the forest path of Dogamsan. Walking along a path lined with azaleas, you soon reach the Seonwonsa Site. Seonwonsa was a temple established in 1245 as a patriotic temple by Choi Woo, one of the highest authorities during the military regime, during the period when Ganghwa was the temporary capital due to the Mongol invasion. At that time, the Daejangdogam was installed to store the wooden blocks used to print the Tripitaka Koreana. However, Seonwonsa disappeared in the early Joseon period, and although modern archaeological excavations designated this place as the Seonwonsa Site, there is still controversy as some claim that the area near Chungnyeolsa is the actual Seonwonsa Site.

Leaving the Seonwonsa Site and enjoying various landscapes while heading south, you cross Samdongamcheon and soon arrive at Hwanam's Birthplace. Hwanam's Birthplace is the house where Hwanam Go Jaehyung, a figure from the late Joseon to early Japanese colonial period, lived. He is the author of "Simdogihaeng," the travelogue considered the origin of Ganghwa Nadeulgil. "Simdogihaeng" contains 256 classical Chinese poems and prose that sing about the scenery and people of Ganghwa’s 17 townships and over 100 villages, as well as the history and characteristics of each region. Near Hwanam's Birthplace, you can also find colorful flowers on the lawn of Dudumi Village.

Cannon located at Gwangseongbo, Ganghwado [Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration].JPG

Passing through the Oduri area where Odudondae is located and enjoying the sea views while walking along the coastal path, you soon reach today's final destination, Gwangseongbo. It is a small fortress built to guard the Ganghwa Strait. Gwangseongbo became famous as the site of the fiercest battle during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo. At that time, the U.S. forces led by Admiral John Rodgers, who invaded Joseon to force its opening, occupied Chojijin and Deokjinjin and pushed forward to Gwangseongbo. General Eo Jae-yeon, commanding 500 men defending Gwangseongbo, fought fiercely but was ultimately defeated due to overwhelming firepower. Although Gwangseongbo fell, the U.S. military judged that continuing the war was difficult and retreated. Afterwards, Heungseon Daewongun declared victory in the war to repel Westerners and erected the Cheokhwabi (Stele of Rejecting Westerners) throughout the country.

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