Gwangseongbo Fortress
Gwangseongbo Fortress
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksBattlefieldsMilitary Bases & FacilitiesScenic Walking Areas
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
24 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This fortress did not have as many cannons as the nearby Deokjinjin Fortress but saw the most activity during the american invasion of 1871. It is the most beautful of the fortresses on Ganghwa. It was built in 1658, and further expanded in 1679. The fortress includes the main gate, Gwangsong dondae (small battery to the left of the gate), Sondolmokdondae observation post, Gwangseongpodae bulwarks and the Yongdudondae observation post.
It may be best to start at the Gwangsong Dondae which is a small battery to the left of the gate. It is said that this battery was constructed in 40 days in 1679, and was equipped with cannons that were used to fight against the Qing (Manchurians) invasion in 1637. There are small cannons displayed here that were left by the French in 1866 after their attack. The top of the gate may be easily viewed from this section of the fort.
Photos may be taken all around the gate. You may walk through the gate and view the rear of the gate and the park below. It is a short walk uphill to the YungDondae Observation Post. In this area there is a memorial tablet which was erected to a General and his brother who led the Korean forces into battle here. The tablets were erected in 1873. A memorial stone is to the left of the tablets, and it is possible to walk down steps to access the park below. Directly opposite the memorial tablet is a cemetery with 7 burial mounds which represent the soldiers who died during the battle in 1877 (estimated 350 died).
Further along the main path branches into a uphill and downhill set of paths. The uphill path (to the right) leads to the Sondolmok dondae observation post which was built in 1679. This location provides excellent views of the fortress.
The path that leads downhill leads to the Gwangseongpodae bulwarks, which was destroyed by the Japanese invaders in 1875. It was rebuilt in 2004. This area shows how cannons were aimed out to sea, but there are no cannons on display. It is actually seen by walking to the left of the restroom, and looking down. A storyboard about Sondol-Mok who was executed by a King is also on display here. The Observation Post is a short walk away. it is probably the best area for taking photos and has a memorial and a few cannons. It was extensively damaged by the Americans in the war, but restored in 1977.
It will take at least an hour to view the fort, and if you plan on catching the next tourist bus to view other forts it may be a really tight schedule. Buses are scheduled between an hour and 75 minutes. Admission was W1,100 for adults and W700 for children. There are gift shops, food and beverage and bathrooms on this site. We rushed through, but saw everything except the park in an hour to catch the next bus. It is approx. 15-20 minutes travel from the Ganghwa Bus Terminus.
It may be best to start at the Gwangsong Dondae which is a small battery to the left of the gate. It is said that this battery was constructed in 40 days in 1679, and was equipped with cannons that were used to fight against the Qing (Manchurians) invasion in 1637. There are small cannons displayed here that were left by the French in 1866 after their attack. The top of the gate may be easily viewed from this section of the fort.
Photos may be taken all around the gate. You may walk through the gate and view the rear of the gate and the park below. It is a short walk uphill to the YungDondae Observation Post. In this area there is a memorial tablet which was erected to a General and his brother who led the Korean forces into battle here. The tablets were erected in 1873. A memorial stone is to the left of the tablets, and it is possible to walk down steps to access the park below. Directly opposite the memorial tablet is a cemetery with 7 burial mounds which represent the soldiers who died during the battle in 1877 (estimated 350 died).
Further along the main path branches into a uphill and downhill set of paths. The uphill path (to the right) leads to the Sondolmok dondae observation post which was built in 1679. This location provides excellent views of the fortress.
The path that leads downhill leads to the Gwangseongpodae bulwarks, which was destroyed by the Japanese invaders in 1875. It was rebuilt in 2004. This area shows how cannons were aimed out to sea, but there are no cannons on display. It is actually seen by walking to the left of the restroom, and looking down. A storyboard about Sondol-Mok who was executed by a King is also on display here. The Observation Post is a short walk away. it is probably the best area for taking photos and has a memorial and a few cannons. It was extensively damaged by the Americans in the war, but restored in 1977.
It will take at least an hour to view the fort, and if you plan on catching the next tourist bus to view other forts it may be a really tight schedule. Buses are scheduled between an hour and 75 minutes. Admission was W1,100 for adults and W700 for children. There are gift shops, food and beverage and bathrooms on this site. We rushed through, but saw everything except the park in an hour to catch the next bus. It is approx. 15-20 minutes travel from the Ganghwa Bus Terminus.
Written 30 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belle Y
Seoul, South Korea255 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Gwangseongbo Fortress is one of the best spots in Ganghwa-do Island that I visited this year. The fortress played a significant role in protecting the region against enemies. If you like trekking and hiking, you must visit here and look around the spot. There are many historic sites but I strongly recommend you to visit Yongdu Dondae located in the fortress. You will be able to feel fresh and relieve your stress.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
silveroses69
Stony Plain, Canada112 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
I went with friends on a tour through RASKB. Some walking up hill is needed to see the entire site. It includes the fort where the final battle of Shinmiyangyo (the Weekend War between America and Korea in 1871) occurred, where American forces decimated the Korean forces. The view from the top of the fort is amazing. As is the view of the rushing waters if you go all the way down to the bottom.
Written 27 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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