Visit to Ganghwa-do as part of the Korean-Chinese Academic Conference 2016

The tense or rather unsure political situation between the two Korean countries is quite palpable, especially at the Peace Observatory, as it is an observation point to look at North Korean areas like Kaesong Industrial Complex, the meeting point of Imjingang River and Hangang River, Aegibong Peak Observatory in Gimpo, and Songaksan Mountain, if the weather is good. Despite the heavy fog last week, newly built white farmhouses on the other side of the water could to be seen.

The journey also took us to the Ganghwa History Museum, which gave a brief insight into the historical findings and peculiarities of the area. The museum was constructed inside the Ganghwa Dolmen Park, which was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Historic Site No. 137. The dolmen are mostly Northern-style dolmen that are made of large pieces of stone about 7.1m in length and 2.6m in height. As one of the oldest historical findings, it offers a large insight in the prehistoric era.

After lunch, a trip to the Goryeogung Palace, which served as a palace during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, and later fell into the hands of China. In 1977 the palace was restored. The Yongdudondae Observation Post is also an important part of Ganghwa County, as one of the main hills of the Gwangseongbo Fortress, which was built in the middle of the 17th century, and is presently designated as Historical Relic no. 227.