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Suwon was built as a planned city during the reign of Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd monarch of the Joseon Dynasty
(1392-1910). The urban construction was based on Silhak, a new school of philosophy at the time that emphasized science and practical learning. Due to its geographical location, Suwon is the southern gateway to Seoul. The city has a number of attractions, including the Hwaseong Fortress, a magnificent example of fortress architecture that is designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, as well as Korean Folk Village and Everland Resort. One of the city's culinary specialties is the Suwon galbi ribs. The City of Suwon operates the City Tour that allows visitors to hop on a city tour bus accompanied with an English and Japanese guide, and visit Hwaseong Fortress and some of the major tourist sites in Suwon.
| Suwon City Tour Information |
▷ Period of operation |
Year-round (no operation on Mondays) |
▷ Hours of operation |
Two departures a day (10:00/14:00; tour takes about 3 hours 30 min) |
▷ Fare |
Regular route: ages 19 and above - 11,000 won / ages 7 to 18 - 8,000 won / under 7 - 4,000 won |
Extended route (on Thursdays): ages 19 and above - 15,000 won / ages 7 to 18 - 11,000 won / under 7 - 5,000 won |
▷ Point of departures |
Subway line 1, Suwon station, exit 4, in front of Suwon Tourist Information Center |
▷ Inquiry/Information |
031-256-8300 (Korean, English, Japanese) |
▷ Reservation |
Online reservation: City
Tour Official Site (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Phone reservation: 031-256-8300 (Korean, English, Japanese) |
▷ Suwon Travel Official Site |
http://eng.suwon.ne.kr/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) |
▷ Korea Travel Phone |
+82-31-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) |
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* Iitinerary
☞ Bus itinerary
(First bus departs at 10:00, 2nd bus at 14:00 / Tour takes 3 hours 30 min)
Suwon station -> Seojangdae -> Hwaseomun Gate -> Hwahongmun Gate -> Hwaseong Haenggung Palace -> Yeonmudae -> KBS Suwon Center
☞ On Thursdays: Yungneung & Geolleung Tombs -> Yongjusa Temple added (bus departs at 09:30 / Tour takes 7 hours 30 min)
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Seojangdae
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Located atop Mount Paldalsan, Seojangdae (서장대) is a second-story pavilion. It is also called Hwaseong Jangdae. Once a command post, the pavilion gives a view of the area surrounding the fortress from its second floor. It is said that King Jeongjo visited Seojangdae to command the army himself during his visit to Hwaseong.
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Hwaseomun Gate
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The western gate of Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseomun (화서문) features a stone-built Mujigae gate, meaning rainbow gate in English, topped with a single-story pavilion. The gate is surrounded by an ongseong, which is a protective stone semicircle. The octagonal roof is a hipped-gable roof that is elegant in style. The gate is designated and managed as Treasure no. 403.
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Hwahongmun Gate
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Hwahongmun Gate (화홍문) is the northern gate under which Suwoncheon Stream flows. As such, it is also called Buksumun Gate (buk means north, sumun means water gate). The gate features a Mujigae (rainbow) gate topped with a single-story pavilion. The gate has seven arches called Hongyesumun to allow Suwoncheon Stream to flow past the fortress to the south. The view of the water flowing underneath the arches is counted as one of the Eight Scenic Beauties of Suwon.
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Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
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Haenggung Palace (행궁) refers to temporary palaces built outside the capital city. They were used by the royal family in wartime, for getaways, or during royal trips to adjacent ancestral tombs. Hwaseong Haenggung Palace was used occasionally by King Jeongjo during his visit to his father's tomb nearby. It boasts a grand and beautiful architecture and is counted as the most outstanding of Haenggung Palaces.
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Yeonmudae (Dongjangdae)
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Located on a hill in the Northeast of the Hwaseong Fortress, Yeonmudae (연무대) is open to all sides and gives a view into the fortress. In the past, soldiers were gathered here for training. Its expansive space is now used for archery where visitors can try their hand with a bow and arrow, try other traditional sports, and reinforce the mind and body.
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KBS Suwon Studio (KBS수원센터) is a drama filming location that has both a studio and outdoor location. The filming set, where HD productions are filmed, is semi-permanent and almost like real-life locations.
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Yungneung & Geolleung Tombs
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Yungneung (융릉) is the joint tomb of crown prince Sado Seja, the father of King Jeongjo, and Sado's wife Hyegyeonggung Hongssi. Geolleung (건릉) is a joint tomb of King Jeongjo and his wife Queen Hyoui. Both tombs feature engravings and a mound. The tombs are adorned with tombstones and a stone wall.
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Yongjusa Temple
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Yongjusa Temple (용주사) was built in 1790 by King Jeongjo to pray for the repose of his father Sado Seja who died a tragic death. There is a seven-story stone pagoda and Cheonboru Pavilion, which is supported by six stone columns. Here, visitors will find traditional Buddhist architecture and a number of Buddhist relics.
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