Best Korea UNESCO Heritage Sites: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
When you’re planning a trip to Korea, you’ll undoubtedly have a full list of things to do in Seoul. However, it can be really fun and enriching to take some time to explore other areas around the city as well. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the heart of Suwon and dates all the way back to the 1700s.
This magnificent castle preserves its history well, allowing visitors to wander the sites and take it all in. If you’re considering a trip to see Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, whether with a Korea tour agency or on your own, this article is for you! We’ll go over the significance and history of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, as well as the logistical information you’ll need to get there.
The History of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
The fortress was built at the end of the 1700s, by King Jeongjo from the Joseon Dynasty. Intended to honor the memory and remains of Prince Sado, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress has a sordid history. Despite being the heir to the throne, Prince Sado was in constant conflict with his father and had serious mental health problems, which drove him to be violent.
Unable to tolerate this, his father executed a plan to kill Prince Sado, without directly hurting his body, as was forbidden by law. King Yeongjo instead asked the prince to get into a wooden rice chest, where he was confined. After eight days, Prince Sado died in the chest. However, Prince Sado’s son became king years later. He ordered the construction of the fortress to honor his father’s memory and create a strategic stronghold. Trust us, this is just a taste of the fortress’ history – consider reading more to get the whole story!
Why Visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress?
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are many reasons to visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress! First off, it has great historical significance through the story of King Jeongjo and the Joseon Dynasty. It is also a remarkable example of Korean architecture, with a mix of traditional and modern influences.
Beyond the history, it’s full of beautiful sights and fun activities to do! From the walls you can explore to the manicured gardens and scenic ponds, there are great views at every turn. Finally, there are fun, novel activities to do around the grounds, such as ringing Hyowon’s Bell or watching a show at Sinpugnu. No matter what draws you to the fortress, it has plenty to keep you busy and entertained all day!
Top Landmarks and Activities for Your Visit
When you make your visit to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, there are several, impressive landmarks you have to see! Follow the walking route below to see all of them and maximize your visit to the castle!
- Walk the Famous Walls: If you plan to explore Suwon Hwaseong on foot, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Walking along the fortress walls is the most iconic thing to do at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress! These walls allow you to cover the main sites and explore the historic campus at the same time. Many visitors describe it as awe-inspiring as visiting the Great Wall in China!
- Catch a Show at Sinpugnu: If you can time your day out well, you should stop at Sinpugnu to see a show. On most days, this area hosts a variety of free shows, such as a martial arts demonstration, guards ceremony, and more. Check the Fortress’ schedule to know what’s going on (and when) during your visit!
- Walk the Famous Walls: If you plan to explore Suwon Hwaseong on foot, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Walking along the fortress walls is the most iconic thing to do at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress! These walls allow you to cover the main sites and explore the historic campus at the same time. Many visitors describe it as awe-inspiring as visiting the Great Wall in China!
- Check Out the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace and Daeseungwon
: When you want to spend some time indoors, check out the temporary palace built to house the royal family in times of political turmoil. Once you’ve taken in the Palace, head back outside and climb up towards the giant, golden Buddha (the Daeseungwon). Although you can see this statue from the plaza, seeing it up-close is definitely worth the effort!
- The North Gate (Janganmun or Bungmun): You’ll see lots of stunning gates during your visit to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress! However, this one deserves to make the list because it is the largest gate in the whole country.
- Ring Hyowon’s Bell and See the Views from Paldasan Mountain: Near the top of the mountain, you’ll find Hyowon’s Bell. As legend has it, you should ring the bell three times. Once to show respect for your parents. The second time wishes for health and harmony for your family. The final ring to wish for your own dreams. As the summit of the mountain, some of the best views of the city are also available in this area.
This is just the highlights of everything to see at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress! Spend the day exploring the area to discover other spots, such as Hwaseomun Gate, Hwahongmun, and Haenggung-Dong Mural Village.
Other Ways to See Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
For those with low mobility or little ones in tow, walking around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress may not be possible. However, don’t worry, there are other ways to see this spectacular castle! A few great alternatives include taking the tourist trolley or enjoying a tethered balloon ride.
- Ride the Trolley: The tourist trolley covers the most famous sights of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, without requiring guests to walk the walls and steps. The trolley itself is designed to emulate King Gojong’s royal vehicle, with visitor carts behind it. Each cart has several seats, a shaded cover and access to a headphones jack for commentary in English, Japanese, and Chinese. This is a great option for groups who have low mobility or kids along. It also works well for groups in a time crunch, as the entire ride lasts under an hour. If this appeals to you, make sure you book well in advance, as the trolley tends to fill up early.
- Take a Balloon Ride: A tethered balloon ride can be an alternate way to see the castle or a fun add-on to a walking trip! The service, called Flying Suwon, is located near the Changnyongmun Gate. Each ride lasts around ten minutes, taking you up for the view and back down. It is a really stunning sight to see the castle from above, which we’d recommend to anyone, even if you plan to see the property walking. Don’t worry about buying tickets to this one in advance, as they can easily be purchased near the departure zone!
How to Get From Seoul to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress makes an ideal location for exploration outside of Seoul, since it is so close and well-connected. Only thirty kilometers separates Seoul from Suwon, and there are plenty of public and private transportation methods to get you there. We’ve listed a few of the most popular for you below:
- Take the Subway: The subway easily connects Seoul to Suwon. If you take Line 1 on the subway from City Hall or Seoul Station, you can go directly to Seoul.
- Hop on a Bus: For those who don’t like subways, buses are another option. Since bus routes are more variable, you’ll want to check on a local transportation app for the details. We recommend using Naver Map, which has information in English.
- Hire a Private Transfer: If you don’t want to take public transportation for any reason, you can always hire a private car to take you from Seoul to Suwon. This type of transport can be booked through a Korea travel agency or on your own, with the help of a concierge or online booking tool.
- Book a Tour with Transport Included: If you want to get the best experience of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, you can ensure smooth transportation and a fun day by booking a tour with transportation included! This takes the guesswork out of travel and the stress out of planning your castle visit.
Although there are several options, we recommend booking through a Korea travel agency to ensure the best experience possible, with the least amount of stress.
Best Times to Visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Although the castle is open throughout the year, there are a few times of year that are particularly magical for a visit! Since the castle is primarily an outdoor attraction, we recommend visiting in spring, from March to May, or in autumn, from September to November, for the best experience.
As the more moderate seasons of the year, both spring and fall offer better temperatures and weather conditions for exploring outdoors. If you time your visit correctly, you can also see some special beauty, with cherry blossoms in spring or changing leaves in the fall. Although you can visit anytime, these seasons offer the best holistic experience.
Your Ideal Day Trip: See Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Since it is located quite close to Seoul, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress makes an amazing day trip from Seoul! Whether you spend your day wandering the walls, taking in the views from above, or appreciating the architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a gem. Book your tour through a our tour agency for the smoothest experience. We hope you enjoy your adventure at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress!
