Ganghwa Gyodong Island Travel Guide 2026: Sunflowers & Daeryong Market

Hello 👋 I'm Jju, your travel blogger!

For the final stop on my day trip to Ganghwa, I visited a truly special place: Ganghwa Gyodong!

Before 2014, Ganghwa Gyodong was an island only accessible by ferry, but with the construction of Gyodong Bridge, it's now an easily reachable destination by car.

Gyodong, an island region that was long overlooked! Can you believe a place like this still exists in Korea? I'm excited to introduce two incredible spots: Daeryong Market, which felt like stepping back in time, and the Nanjeong Sunflower Garden, even more beautiful than Jeju's sunflowers!

🚗 Transportation	Accessible by car via Gyodong Bridge
💳 Entry	ID verification & phone number registration required
🌻 Sunflowers	Best visited during blooming season (August-October)
🌵 Hwagae Garden	Gyodong, Ganghwa's representative tourist attraction
🛒 Daeryong Market	A retro-themed old market with nostalgic charm
✏️ Recommended Itinerary	Recommend dedicating a full day to Gyodong alone

But to get straight to the point, rather than rushing through Gyodong by combining it with other Ganghwa attractions, I'd strongly recommend dedicating a full day just to Gyodong.

I'll tell you why in my detailed review of my trip!

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Important things to check before visiting Ganghwa Gyodong 💡

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🍯Jju's Travel Diary Pro Tip🍯

Ganghwa Gyodong Island is a region adjacent to North Korea, so before crossing Gyodong Bridge, there's a checkpoint where you'll need to show your ID and leave your phone number. Make sure to bring your ID!!

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Nanjeong Sunflower Garden 🌻

2026 Sunflower Festival 🌻

📅 Period | Starting August 25, 2026~

💰 Admission Fee | ~$2

🅿️ Parking | Open lot near Nanjeong Sunflower Garden

✔️Blooming Status | Visited August 24, 2026 > Approx. 30%

This sunflower garden was personally planted by the residents of Nanjeong-ri Village in Gyodong 🌻 If you're visiting Ganghwa in August, September, or October, this spot is an absolute must-see!

You can find its location by searching for one of these three places: Nanjeong Fishing Spot, Haebaragi (Sunflower) Home Care Welfare Center, or Nangot Cafe.

When I visited on August 24, 2026, about 30% of the sunflowers were in bloom. Although they were mostly small, they still looked magnificent from a distance!

There was a photo zone, which was perfect for making memories! The central part of the Ganghwa Sunflower Garden beautifully captures the golden wave of sunflowers, but...!!

There was still a lot more green than yellow, which was a little disappointing.

If you visit around early September, you'll be able to see an even more stunning sunflower garden. I anticipate the sunflowers will be at their peak around Korean Thanksgiving!

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Daeryongri Market: The Ultimate Retro Vibe! 🛒

Putting our slight regrets aside, our next stop was the Gyodong Daeryong Market, the ultimate retro experience!

Gyodong Daeryongri Market

📅 Address | 462-1 Daeryong-ri, Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

💰 Parking | Use nearby public parking (free)

🍡 Must-try foods | Gangaji-tteok, Sikhye, etc.

✔️ Important Tip | Many shops are closed if you visit on a weekday evening

The market scenery, as if transported back in time, had an atmosphere even rarer than typical retro or vintage vibes. From the posters to the signboards, an old-world charm lingered, making it feel like we'd stepped into a time machine.

Ganghwa Gyodong is a region adjacent to North Korea, which is why Gangaji-tteok, often called 'Ibuhk-tteok' (Northern-style rice cake), is said to be the most popular here. It's a chewy glutinous rice cake filled with red bean paste – if you visit Daeryong Market, you absolutely must try it! 🍡

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One thing that was a bit disappointing

Ganghwa Gyodong is a destination you really can't rush through. I had visited other parts of Ganghwa first, so I only started exploring around 3 PM, but most of the shops were already closed, which was a real shame.

Because of that, I couldn't even buy and try the Gangaji-tteok, and I didn't get to properly explore the market! 😢

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✏️ If I were to go again, here's how I'd do it!

🚗 Gyodong Bridge > 🌳 Hwagae Garden > 🛒 Daeryong Market >🌻 Sunflower Garden > 🌼🌺 Gogugu Reservoir (Lotus Flower Hotspot)​

I'll plan it as a full-day course and explore all the places in Gyodong I couldn't visit last time!

📍Ganghwa Gyodong is Recommended for These Travelers!📍

🌉 Those looking for a unique travel destination in Ganghwa

🛠 Those who love retro and vintage vibes

🌳 Those who love nature trips (There are sunflower and lotus flower hotspots)

Gyodong offered a distinctly different atmosphere from other Ganghwa destinations I've visited so far. If you're pondering a unique travel spot in Ganghwa, why not give this place a try?