Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple (강화 전등사)

Ganghwa Jeondeungsa is one of the oldest Buddhist temples on Ganghwa Island, with founding tradition that reaches back to 381 CE during the late Goguryeo period — making it one of the oldest temples of the Korean Jogye Order and a major site of Korean Buddhist heritage. The temple is set inside the historic Samnangseong Fortress on Mt. Jeongjoksan, which gives the temple a distinctive walled-fortress setting unusual for Korean mountain temples. The compound includes the main hall, multiple side prayer halls, a famous storage building (Daejanggyeong Pansojeon) that once held a complete copy of the Goryeo-era Tripitaka Koreana wood-block scriptures, ancient stone monuments, and a treasure-rich collection of Buddhist artifacts. The walking approach through Samnangseong Fortress is part of the experience. Best as a half-day stop, paired with broader Ganghwa Island history-and-nature itineraries.