Gimpo culture and history tour dreaming of reunification | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

A peace observatory atop Jejeokbong offering views toward the Han River and North Korea.

한재당(寒齋堂)은 조선 중기 문신으로 무오사화 때 28세의 나이로 화를 입은 이목(李穆) 선생의 위패를 봉인한 사당으로 1849년에 건립된 구사당과 1974년에 건립한 신사당이 있다.

Gimpo International Sculpture Park was first established in 1998 when world-renowned artists including Giovanni Anselmo gathered to spread messages of peace and reunification through sculpture works. Featuring a total of 30 pieces by 14 international sculptors such as Daniel Buren and 16 prominent domestic artists, the works embody the wishes of Gimpo citizens for peace and reunification. With the concept of creating an artistic space within pristine nature, the park prioritizes the preservation of the natural environment and installs works that harmonize with nature from planning to realization. Gimpo International Sculpture Park is the world's only natural art space where art pieces praying for peace and reunification are harmoniously blended with the recreational forest of Munsusan. It pursues an ideal natural art space where art, nature, and humanity realize an ideal harmony and where artworks and the public meet.

Gimpo Daemyeonghang is a fishing port in Gimpo-si where seafood is sold directly from the fish market, functioning as a local fishing port of Gimpo. It faces the coast of Ganghwado, offering sea views. In spring, fresh seafood such as webfoot octopus and blue crabs are sold, while in late autumn, fatty blue crabs and shrimp are available, attracting many tourists. There is also a festival unique to Daemyeonghang. Every year on the first full moon of the lunar year, a bountiful catch ritual (Pungyoje) is held. Pungyoje is a ceremony that prays for the village's peace and addresses the historical sorrows surrounding the West Sea. Additionally, seasonal events like the autumn large shrimp festival provide abundant sights and fresh food.

Gimpo Deokpojin is a strategic stronghold from the Joseon Dynasty located in Daegot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do. It consisted of a small military base called a dondae, gun batteries, and a guard post. The dondae was a base built on elevated land for easy observation of the surroundings. The gun batteries were fortifications constructed to facilitate friendly artillery fire. The guard post stored fire sources used for the ammunition depot and gun batteries and was where artillery commanders directed operations. It was established to defend against foreign invasions attempting to enter the capital Hansung through the Ganghwa Strait. Although the exact founding date is unknown, it was constructed in 1679 alongside Ganghwabo and Deokjinjin in Ganghwa. The site was a fierce battleground during the Byeonginyangyo and Shinmiyangyo wars. The strait in front of Deokpojin is very narrow with strong currents, also known as Sondolmok. Excavations in 1980 uncovered seven cannonballs, two Sangpyeongtongbo coins, and found foundation stones and furnace remains.

Jangneung is the tomb of Wonjong, the biological father of the 16th Joseon king Injo (1623~1649), and his wife, Inheon Queen Gu. Jangneung is in the form of Ssangneung (paired tombs), with the burial mounds placed side by side in one enclosure. When facing the tomb from the front, the left (west) is Wonjong's tomb, and the right (east) is Inheon Queen's tomb. The scale and structure of the tomb appear to represent the typical style of mid-Joseon. Below the tomb is a ritual hall where memorial rites are performed; this building was used annually by the 21st king Yeongjo and the 22nd king Jeongjo to conduct ancestral rites. The area around the tomb is arranged like a park. (Source: Gimpo-si Culture and Tourism Homepage)