Hwaseong Fortress was built at the end of the 18th century under King Jeongjo and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Its walls, gates, watchtowers and bastions run for almost 6 km around the old center of Suwon.
Highlights
- Paldalmun and Janganmun — the great south and north gates, good starting points for the wall walk.
- Banghwasuryujeong — a pavilion on the wall above a small pond, often called the prettiest spot on the fortress.
- Hwaseong Haenggung — the king’s temporary palace inside the walls.
How to enjoy it
Walk the wall for views over the city, try traditional archery, and explore the lanes of Haenggung-dong, now full of small cafes and workshops. Suwon is about an hour from Seoul by subway or train.