Gyodongdo Island, Ganghwa

Gyodongdo Island, located in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City, is only 2.6 km away from North Korea. During the Korean War, it was an island where displaced people fled to establish their livelihoods. Although it was alienated for a long time, with the opening of Gyodongdaegyo Bridge in 2014, it has become a little more convenient to go.

Recently, Gyodongdo Island has gained popularity as a retro travel destination, thanks to its unique charm, as time seems to have stopped at some point around the 20th century. Daeryong Market, a place filled with such a retro vibe, was remodeled as the "Yeonbaekjang" in Hwanghae Province after the displaced people who fled from North Korea and were unable to return after the ceasefire. From vintage signs to murals by young artists, Daeryong Market has created a subtle charm.

When talking about Gyodongdo Island, it's impossible to overlook Hwagae Garden. Designed under the concept of "a garden containing the history and nature of Gyodongdo Island that accumulated over a long time," Hwagae Garden boasts 180,000 types of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. The garden is composed of five nature-friendly themed sections, featuring an unmanned monorail that leads visitors to the Hwagaesan Mountain Observatory. From the observatory, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Yeonbaekpyeongya and the beautiful landscape of the West Sea along the Yeseonggang River.

In addition, there are many other things to see on Gyodongdo Island, such as Gyodong Eupseong Fortress, a pleasant place to take a walk that is located south of Hwagaesan Mountain. Gyodonghyanggyo Local Confucian School, which is the first Confucian school in Korea, with a history spanning 900 years.