[One Day Walk] The Road to the Birthplace of Hwanam Ko Jae-hyung, Who Left 'Depth Travel'

'Ganghwa Nadeulgil Course 6' Connecting Dondae and Ganghwa Fortress Walls

Course 6 of the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil trail starts at Ganghwa Terminal and stretches a total of 18.8 km, passing through Seonwonsa Temple Site, Samdongamcheon, Hwanam Birthplace, Neungnae Village Entrance, and Gwangseongbo, taking about 6 hours to complete. It is classified as an intermediate-level course.

After leaving the terminal and walking along the path, you will reach the Seonwonsa Temple Site. Seonwonsa was founded in 1245 by Choi Woo as a temple dedicated to national defense. A Daejangdogam (Tripitaka woodblock printing office) was established here, where the Goryeo Tripitaka woodblocks, now housed at Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, were created and stored. Excavated artifacts mainly include ceramics, roof tiles, small bronze Buddha statues, gilt-bronze Arhat statues, and carbonized Buddhist scripture fragments. Most ceramics are celadon pieces believed to have been made from the late 12th century to the 14th century. Among the roof tiles, flat tiles are the most common, along with ridge-end tiles, roof ornaments, and figurines. Continuing past the lotus flower cultivation area and the Environmental Agriculture Education Center, you will arrive at the Hwanam Birthplace.

This is the birthplace and childhood home of Mr. Go Jae-hyeong, and his descendants still live there today. In 1906, Mr. Go traveled on horseback through 17 townships and over 100 villages in Ganghwa County, composing 256 seven-character quatrain poems in classical Chinese to preserve the gradually disappearing traditions and customs. He published these poems in a travelogue titled "Simdo Gihang." It is also interpreted that the path Mr. Go walked became the foundation of the current Ganghwa Nadeul-gil trail.

Passing the Hwanam Birthplace and Oduri Village Hall, you will reach Gwangseongbo, where Course 6 concludes. Gwangseongbo was an important fortress guarding the Ganghwa Strait and one of the 12 Jinbo fortresses of Ganghwa. It oversaw the Odudondae, Hwado Dondae, and Gwangseong Dondae fortresses. During the Shinmiyangyo (the United States expedition to Korea) in 1871, the fiercest battle took place here. After the U.S. forces captured Chojijin and Deokjinjin, they bombarded Gwangseongbo before landing, devastating the fortress. General Eo Jae-yeon fought valiantly despite being outgunned and died in battle. A monument honoring General Eo and 350 others who fought here stands at the site.