The ambient buzzing of cicadae and the steaming hot weather signify the arrival of summer.
To city folks suffering through the scorching heat emanating
from the asphalt and enduring the seemingly inescapable busy life in the city,
nature’s beckoning feels so tempting.
We have the perfect place for you to temporarily get away from your busy lives and focus on “healing” yourself,
and it is found on Ganghwado Island in Incheon, Korea.


In the following paragraphs,
we will present to you some of the best places to visit on the island on the West Sea,
including the “Beautiful House with Sunset,”
a Korea Quality (KQ)–certified accommodation where mild waves soothe your heart during the day,
and the beautiful sun hangs over the horizon at dusk.

The best place to enjoy Ganghwado Island’s famous sunset: “Beautiful House with Sunset”


“Beautiful House with Sunset” and its Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)–certified
scenery were recognized early on by TV programs.
Follow the lush green of the mountain trail,
and you will soon find yourself in a village of red-roofed cottages facing the shore of the island.
This place is located inside the village.

To check in, you need to visit Casamia Sunset, a coffeehouse attached to the pension house.
Even before you enter the coffeehouse,
the sculptures in the front yard and the calming colors of the building will set you
in to travel mood if you weren’t already.
Then, you can head straight to the guest room after check-in.
However, once you set foot into the coffeehouse,
the cozy atmosphere is simply too tempting to leave soon.

Casamia Sunset can be described in two words: antique and vintage.
The coffeehouse’s natural wood interior makes it
a perfect place to enjoy the view of the sea through the window.
It is equally refreshing to go out to the terrace and feel the gentle sea breeze
while tasting a bowl of shaved ice served in the classic Korean style.
The flavor of the classic toppings—sweetened red beans, bean powder,
and rice cakes—are accentuated by the soft and creamy shaved frozen milk.

A dream house for all family members: The “Suite”


After taking a breather at the coffeehouse, you’d probably want to head to your room,
and this accommodation is perfect for you.
The “Suite” is a standalone two-story house that is closer to the entrance than any other guest room/house.
Aside from the KQ certification plaque on the door,


it has a red roof and white walls, making it look like an exotic summer house from a film or a TV show.
It may not look tall from the outside,
but wait until you open the thick wooden door and see the wall-to-wall window
and the beautiful coastal landscape beyond the glass,
and you’ll feel the spaciousness of the first-floor living room.
It feels bigger on the inside!

One of the first things that will catch your attention is the wooden furniture
with elegantly flowing curves that preserve the way the wood grew in nature.
Whereas a typical hotel room is characterized by straight and clean-cut lines,
the Suite has essential furniture placed where it should be,
in alignment with the nature of Ganghwado Island.
The room does not skimp on travelers’ essentials as well,
from towels, sanitary supplies, air conditioning units, and TVs.

One of the most attractive features of the Suite is the number of bedrooms in the house.
In addition to one on the first floor, there are two more bedrooms on the second floor,
meaning each traveler gets to have spacious private spaces.
Going upstairs to the second store feels like entering an attic from a fairy tale as it rewards you
with a view of the beautiful shore framed by the small windows on the walls.


The bedrooms on the second floor are arranged to offer a cozy experience in a private space.
Meanwhile, the aroma of wood emanating from the walls,
the sea breeze through the windows, and the neatly organized beddings make for a good night’s sleep
and a calm respite—a perfect escape from the tropical night in the city.

If you have time, take a stroll outside the house.
A trail leads from the accommodation to the beach,
where you can also enjoy dinner at the barbeque area while the sea keeps you company.
The sunset hour is a perfect time to capture the picturesque scenery with your camera.
Better yet, take a selfie as proof that you haven’t forgotten
how to smile even after being worn down by your busy life.

A walk through an ancient palace overlooking the village: Goryeo Palace Site


If you want to diversify your Ganghwa experience,
we suggest you pay a visit to the Goryeo Palace Site.
In 1232, to escape the invading Mongolian forces,
the king of Goryeo (who ruled the Korean Peninsula at the time) moved the capital to Ganghwa
and stayed there until his return to Gaegyeong (currently Kaesong) in 1270.


The Goryeo Palace Site was where the king stayed during his 38-year exodus.
The palace itself was burned down during the French Disturbance of 1866,
and all that remains is the old site of the building where government officials tended to their business.
Now a “small but strong potential tourist site” selected by KTO,
the Goryeo Palace Site is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

You won’t have to spend too much time looking around the place.
However, we suggest taking as much time as you want to take in the harmony between old trees and the palace,
and discover the many faces that the place has to offer.
Also, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a full view of the village from the observatory.
The view of the village adds to the Ganghwa experience,
as the area preserves traces from the lives of the villagers,
who stood their ground despite myriad hardships throughout the island’s history.

From a textile factory full of history to an attractive coffeehouse: Joyang Textile


First-time visitors may have a hard time characterizing Joyang Textile.
It looks like a coffeehouse, a TV show set,
or a theme park, depending on where you look.
Originally founded as a textile factory during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula,
the place fell into disuse in the 1970s and was abandoned for around three decades.
It became what it is today when the “upcycling” trend hit Korea in recent years.

Also called “Sinmun-ri Art Gallery,”
this coffeehouse is filled with artworks, old furniture, and antiques indoors.
The outdoor area features colorful elements reminiscent of a European village,
which take quite some time to look around.
The coffeehouse serves assorted beverages as well as desserts,
including the soft soufflé. Seat wherever you like, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea,
and use the lights to your advantage to take beautiful pictures.

Enjoy a course meal featuring Ganghwa’s signature sliced raw scaled sardine: Cheonggang Hoetjip


A good trip requires a good meal,
and a good meal in Ganghwado Island includes a dish of sliced raw scaled sardine,
one of the signature foods of the island.
Here, you can still enjoy the chewy and creamy flavor of the fish even if you miss the best sardine season.
Cheonggang Hoetjip is one of the best places to experience this Ganghwado delicacy,
along with grilled scaled sardine, sliced raw scaled sardine salad, and fish ball soup.
A course meal offers enough food for four travelers.
The endearing hospitality of the owner couple is a welcome bonus.