The park was reconstructed in 1982 to commemorate the centennial of the Korea-U.S. Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
Hwadojin was originally established as a military garrison to protect the Incheon coast against foreign encroachment.
The park contains a bronze statue commemorating the treaty signing, which solidified the 'Open Port' policy in Incheon.
The traditional Korean-style structures within the park were built to replicate the administrative buildings used by military commanders of the time.
Hwadojin Park is a historic site in Incheon constructed on the grounds of the former Hwadojin Fortress, which served as a coastal defense installation during the late Joseon Dynasty. The site was historically significant for the 1882 signing of the Treaty of Jemulpo, the first diplomatic agreement between Korea and the United States. Following the modernization of Incheon, the fortress was restored to include traditional pavilion architecture and defensive walls. The park now functions as a commemorative site featuring replicas of the weapons and armaments used during the late 19th-century defense era. Visitors can walk along the restored fortifications that overlook the Dong-gu district. The grounds are landscaped with walking paths, ornamental trees, and commemorative monuments detailing the treaty’s history. It remains one of the few urban sites in Incheon that preserves the spatial layout of a Joseon-era military installation.
The traditional pavilion structure against the backdrop of the fortress wall gates.
Visit during the annual Hwadojin Festival, which often includes cultural performances and reenactments of historical events.
Combine your walk with a visit to the nearby historical streets of the Gaehang-ro area.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to handle the uneven terrain and stairs near the fortress walls.
Do not expect a large-scale military museum; this is a park-style memorial site primarily for walking and brief historical context.
Maintain a quiet tone, as the park is a historical memorial site; do not climb on the reconstructed fortress walls.
