Half-Day Trip to Gyodongdo Island: Daeryong Market and Hwagye Garden

Gyodongdo Island is connected to the main part of Ganghwa Island by the Gyodong Bridge, but because it lies within the Civilian Access Restriction Zone, visitors must pass through an ID check at the entrance of the bridge to enter. There are two places worth the effort. One is Daeryong Market, created by residents who fled from Hwanghae Province during the Korean War, modeled after their hometown market; the other is Hwagye Garden and Hwagye Mountain Observatory, which offers views of the Yeonbaek Plain in North Korea. Here is a suggested itinerary to visit both in half a day.

At a Glance

• Route: Gyodong Bridge → Daeryong Market → Hwagye Garden (Hwagye Mountain Observatory) → back to Gyodong Bridge.
• Time: Half a day. Duration varies depending on time spent passing through the checkpoint and staying at the market and garden.
• Essentials: ID card, comfortable walking shoes.
• Ideal for: Those interested in the history of refugees and the atmosphere of old markets, those who want to see North Korean territory with their own eyes from the observatory, and families who wish to walk through outdoor gardens in spring or autumn.

Actual Itinerary

1. Crossing the Gyodong Bridge — Cross the Gyodong Bridge from Inhwa-ri, Yangsa-myeon, Ganghwa Main Island to Gyodong Island. This 2.1-km bridge opened on July 1, 2014 (Incheon City Guide). Pass through the checkpoint at the bridge entrance, so have your ID ready in advance. Do not stop or slow down to take photos while on the bridge.
2. Daeryong Market — A alley market located in Daeryong-ri, Gyodong-myeon. It was created by refugees from Yeonbaek County, Hwanghae Province, who fled to the area during the Korean War in the 1950s, modeled after their hometown’s Yeonbaek Market. Signs and shops from the 1960s and 1970s remain today. Walk around the alleys and buy snacks or lunch at open shops. Since this is a residential neighborhood, do not take photos of people or inside shops without permission.
3. Hwagae Garden & Hwagae Mountain Observatory — 6-58, Gyodongdong-ro 471beon-gil, Gyodong-myeon. Park in the free public parking lot and purchase tickets at the ticket office. The garden is divided into five themes: water, historical culture, memories, peace, and healing. You can walk up to the observatory or take the monorail (additional fee). From the observatory’s skywalk, you can see the Gogoo Reservoir, the Gyodong fields, and, on clear days, the Yeonbaek Plain in North Korea. How far you can see depends on the day’s visibility.
4. Return Trip — You must enter before the Hwagae Garden closes (18:00 on weekdays, 19:00 on weekends and holidays). If you spent a long time at the market, you can visit the garden first and the market later. You will pass through the checkpoint again when leaving.

Things to Know

• Entry procedures are subject to change. Ganghwa County announced in a press release dated July 10, 2026, that it is building a non-face-to-face entry verification system based on CCTV at four Civilian Access Control Zones (CACZ) with a military budget of 700 million won, and stated that it would make improvements after a pilot operation (Press Release). This project aims to alleviate the inconvenience of commuting and livelihood-related travel for resident vehicles. This does not mean that tourist checkpoints have been abolished, so please continue to carry your ID. The QR code electronic entry pass procedure announced in 2022 (Ganghwa County Guide) is based on standards at that time, so on-site instructions take precedence.
• Hwagae Garden events are limited-time events. The spring experience event held in May 2026 (making potted plants, keyrings, and eco-bags) has ended, so please check the hosting year when viewing announcements for autumn events. This is not a year-round program.
• Public transportation: According to the Hwagae Garden Transportation Guide, you can take Bus No. 18 from the Ganghwa Bus Terminal to the Hwagae Garden stop. Since bus intervals are wide, please check the return schedule in advance.

What to Prepare and Points to Note

• ID Card: You may be turned back at the checkpoint if you do not have it.
• Comfortable Walking Shoes: There is a slope if you walk along the garden paths to the observation deck. If traveling with someone who finds walking difficult, use the monorail.
• Clothing: The observation deck is windy. Bring an extra layer even in spring and autumn. Prepare for the sun in summer and the cold in winter.
• Water and Snacks: Check the convenience facilities inside the garden through official guides, and it is more convenient to buy them in advance at the market.
• Time Management: Allow ample time for checkpoint waits, market strolls, garden visits, and the return trip. Rather than rushing to see everything in half a day, adjust by reducing the time spent staying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I enter Gyodongdo Island without an ID? A: Gyodongdo Island is located inside the Civilian Control Line, so visitors must undergo an ID check at the Gyodong Bridge checkpoint. The Korea Tourism Organization also advises carrying an ID, so be sure to bring a resident registration card, driver’s license, or other valid identification. For detailed procedures, such as how to verify accompanying children, please follow on-site instructions.

Q: What are the admission fees and operating hours for Hwagye Garden? A: Adult tickets are 5,000 KRW (4,000 KRW for groups of 20 or more), while children, youth, and seniors aged 65 and over pay 3,000 KRW. Children under 6 enter for free. The garden is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:00) on weekdays, and from 08:00 to 20:00 (last entry at 19:00) on weekends and holidays. It is open year-round. Please note that the monorail requires a separate fee.

Q: Can I park at Hwagye Garden? A: Yes, there is a free public parking lot. For public transportation, take Bus No. 18 from the Ganghwa Bus Terminal and get off at the Hwagye Garden stop. Please check the schedule before departure.

Q: What should I eat at Daeryong Market? A: Since menus and operating days vary by shop, we do not recommend a specific dish as a signature item. We suggest walking around the alleys and choosing a shop that is currently open.

Verified Information (as of 2026-10-22)

Place	Address	Operating Hours	Closed Days	Admission Fee	Phone
Gyodong Bridge	Inhwari, Yangsa-myeon to Bongso-ri, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun	Checkpoint entry verification (ID required)	-	Free	-
Gyodong Daeryong Market	Area around Daeryong-ri, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City (Road name address [확인 필요])	Varies by store	Varies by store	-	[확인 필요]
Hwagae Garden & Hwagae-san Skywalk	6-58, Gyodongdong-ro 471beon-gil, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City	Weekdays 08:00–19:00 (Last entry 18:00), Weekends & Holidays 08:00–20:00 (Last entry 19:00)	Open year-round	Adults: 5,000 KRW, Groups (20+ people): 4,000 KRW, Children/Youth/Seniors (65+): 3,000 KRW, Under 6: Free. Ganghwa-gun residents' rates [확인 필요]. Monorail ticket sold separately.	032-930-3151 (Hwagae Garden Office)

Information is subject to change, so please verify on the official website before visiting.

This article was edited by the operator based on an AI draft, cross-referenced with official sources. Photos are actual shots and include source credits.