Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Suwon

  • Published 2020/06/20

The Gyeonggi-do province of South Korea is one of the largest and most populous one, just adjacent to Seoul. This province finds its capital in Suwon, the largest metropolis of the area. Suwon is the sole remaining walled city in all of South Korea, known as ‘the city of filial piety’. While Suwon is primarily known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hwaseong Fortress, that is not the only place one can visit here; in fact, you will be amazed to see that this capital packs a whole lot of fun things to do and exciting places to visit.

Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress

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Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Hwaseong Fortress is a phenomenal structure, dating back from the latter period of the Joseon era. It roughly occupies an area of 5.52 kilometres and is protected by four gates, Changnyongmun, Hwaseomun, Janganmum and Paldalmun, in the directions of east, west, north and south, respectively. The fortress, built as ‘filial piety’, is a scientifically accurate structure, with all of the details and intricacies of the structure recorded in the Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe Document of 1801. A number of amazing performances and unique events are held in Hwaseong every day; in fact, it is also the permanent venue of the annual Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival. This Historic Site No. 3, as deemed in 1963, is the perfect place to start your Suwon exploration, as it delves deep into the Korean traditional history.

Yeonmudae (Dongjandae)

Yeonmudae

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Hwaseong Fortress is a perfect tourist spot, offering a bunch of activities to the visitors. On the north-eastern corner of the fortress, visitors can enjoy the experience offered by Yeonmudae. When it was built, Yeonmudae worked as a training ground for the soldiers for more than a century, where they were taught combative skills, including spears, swords and obviously arrows. It is now an amazing military observation post, offering a complete view of the insides of the fortress. It also has an archery centre, as it is a sport Koreans truly excel in, especially during the Olympics. This Archery Centre offers to teach archery to the visitors; you can even don on the traditional Korean Military attire during the session.

Paldalmun Gate

Paldalmun Gate

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Paldalmun Gate, alternatively known as Nammun Gate, is situated at the south of Hwaseong Fortress. It was built in the 18th century when King Jeongjo was the ruler. The right wall of the gate consists of an intricate plaque, carrying the names of the construction workers who built the gate. An ongseong, i.e. a crescent-shaped wall, circles one side of the Paldalmun, which acted as a secondary protective wall for the structure. A large passageway runs between these two walls, purposely made so as to help the royal vehicles and horses comfortably pass through. This historic landmark is National Treasure Number 402 and has been repaired and restored a decade ago.

Hwaseong Temporary Palace

Hwaseong Temporary Palace

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No, a temporary palace doesn’t mean it is of a fickle or superficial nature; in fact, it is as strong and sturdy palace as any other. A haenggung – Korean name for the temporary palace – is where the king and the royal family would use to retreat during the wars. Hwaseong Temporary Palace is one of the largest haenggungs around South Korea and was used by the kings from the Joseon era. King Jeongjo would even stay there during his trips to his father’s tomb, making it his seasonal house. This haenggung is situated just inside the Hwaseong Fortress walls and is a lively place, conducting reenactment shows as well as mesmerizing sword fighting performances and traditional events and activities.

Suwon Hwaseong Museum

Suwon Hwaseong Museum is a place where you can learn everything about Hwaseong Fortress which is a recognized UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. This museum offers systematic and extensive knowledge of the Joseon Dynasty. The place has preserved original letters and architectural plans as well as models and maps. The 1801 Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe Document is still intact and you can actually find all of the small and intricate details, including the personal details of the workers constructing the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. There are exhibitions and items also showing the plans and the development of the fortress. This museum is a mesmerizing place where you can easily lose track of time once you have stepped in there.

Korean Folk Village

Korean Folk Village

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Korean Folk Village is situated in the east of Suwon and is a rich place to learn about the Korean history and culture of the late Joseon era. It a complete village, maintained so as to reflect the earlier days from Korean history. Structures of the Confucian academy, village school, i.e. Seodang, houses, a farming village, distributed into official districts and connected with village streets. You can also enjoy some amazing traditional performances here, including a Korean wedding ceremony, nongak, i.e. farmer’s music and even horseback martial art, to name a few. There’s also an ice sledding site, markets and a volcano site in the middle of an expansive family park. You can also enjoy a variety of delicious traditional Korean rice cakes in this Folk Village.

Yungneung and Geolleung

Yungneung and Geolleung

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Yungneung and Geolleung are two tombs, dating to the Joseon dynasty, in 1816 and 1821 respectively. It is just a little bit outside of the city, nestled in a pleasant oak parkland. These tombs, just like the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, have been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yungneung is the tomb of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong, whereas Geolleung is the tomb of King Jeongjo and Queen Hyoui, with both of them being almost identical to each other. The grassy mounds of the tombs are surrounded by stones, which are in turn have lotuses carved on them. The tomb is filled with amazing traditional symbolism offering a wholesome look into Korean history. You will even find people having picnics and spending quality time with their loved ones.

Yeongdong Market & Jidong Market

Jidong Market

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The Nammun region of Suwon is well-known for its variety of markets, filled with all kind of shops and stalls. Two of the prominent ones here include Yeongdong Market and Jidong Market, which together form the big marketplace called as Suwon Paldalmun Market. It has historical importance, as it is the only market in the whole of South Korea to have been found by a king. Yeongdong market is characterized by street-food vendors, Korean pancake stalls and fashionable clothing shops; whereas Jidong market is primarily famous for Sundae and various pork parts. Both of them offer traditional garments and accessories on sale, along with a large list of other necessary knick-knacks. These markets will provide the things you wish to purchase as well as give you a fascinating experience of Korean culture and generosity.

Manseok Park

Manseok Park

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Manseok Park is a pretty urban park, just adjacent to the Suwon Arts Centre, built right around a reservoir. The reservoir was excavated in the 18th century under Jeongjo of Joseon, in order to water the paddy fields. This large water body then got a park built around it, complete with long paths, lawns and beautiful cherry trees. The park has around 12 clay courts, belonging to the North Suwon Tennis Club. Along with a number of sports facilities, a permanent stage in a neatly paved area nestles on the eastern side of the park and is seen hosting a number of outdoor events and other celebrations all year round, whereas on the Southside of the park houses the Suwon Arts Centre.

Suwon Fried Chicken Street

Suwon Fried Chicken Street

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By now, it is common knowledge that Koreans are absolutely obsessed with fried chicken. There are a number of chicken restaurants all around Suwon, but some of the best ones can be found on the Fried Chicken Street in Suwon. It has a list of awesome fried chicken restaurants and stalls. All of these serve a variety of fried chicken, along with the usual traditional and the roasted one. A versatile and unlimited selection of sauces and toppings is also provided to the people visiting the restaurants on the streets. Some of the perfect restaurants are Maehyang Chicken, JinMi Chicken restaurant and Yong Seong Tongdak, to name a few. Pair up your fried chicken with the tastiest Korean beer and have a ‘delicious’ time on the Suwon Fried Chicken Street.

Samsung Innovation Museum

Samsung Innovation Museum

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Samsung Innovation Museum is a mesmerizing place, found in 2014, where you get to learn about the evolution and the development of the electronics industry of South Korea. This museum is an amazing place, divided into three neat little halls, where visitors can learn more about the present as well as the past and the future of Korea’s electronic industry. Right from the history and development of the electronic industry, along with the present development and future predictions. It also has an education facility, by the name Children’s Display Research Institute. More on mobile industries.

Toilet Museum

Toilet Museum

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The Toilet Museum was created by Sim Jae-duck, the former mayor of Suwon. He got to be officially known around as ‘Mr. Toilet’, after he led an inspiring campaign around the city, in order to spread awareness on improving the toilet sanitation of Suwon. He then became the first president of the Korea Toilet Association and redid his entire house to resemble a giant toilet in order to celebrate the foundation of the World Toilet Association. The house to the city after his death which then became a full-fledged museum. It is alternatively known as ‘Haeujae’ – a term used by temples for restrooms – which means ‘a house to relieve one’s concerns’. Visitors here can enjoy amusing exhibits, along with learning more about the technology.

Suwon World Cup Stadium

Suwon World Cup Stadium

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Also known as Big Bird Stadium, because of its huge wing-shaped roofs, Suwon World Cup Stadium was established in 2001. Just the next year, the 2002 World Cup was conducted there, giving it the name of World Cup Stadium. It had hosted three group matches as well as the round of 16 matches among Republic of Ireland and Spain. It is located on the east side of the city, just a few kilometres away of the Hwaseong Fortress. The Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who is the four-time K League Champions, are seen playing on this grassy expanse frequently. The stadium also houses a beautiful World Sculpture park, a large pool, a classic museum and even a driving range.

Suwon Art Village

Suwon Art Village – alternatively known as HangGoong-dong ByeokHwa Maeul or simply, HangGoong Art Mural Village – is situated right next to HangGoong, one of the palaces at the Hwaseong Fortress. It is a quaint neighbourhood, drenched in vintage charm, which has been transformed into a beautiful art village. The villagers of this run-down area asked a few of the talented artists to paint the village in their own creativity. This area – which also houses several galleries – is an aesthetic labyrinth of murals painted over by locals and international muralists. The Suwon Art Village has been, since after the transformation, one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the whole of South Korea.

Buksuwon Spa

Suwon is home to this beautiful Buksuwon Spa, where you can wash all your stress away in less than an hour. It is actually a jjimjilbang, which is a Korean term for expansive public bathhouses, complete with showers, hot tubs, massages and traditional saunas. Along with spas, an attractive addition of this jjimjilbang is the availability of a variety of saunas, all with different heat levels – right from a cold 15°C to a hot 45°C – so that the visitors can adjust the heat the way they prefer. The water is pleasant and healing, as it’s drawn from hot springs. There’s a gym, a movie room, a computer room, a play area for children and other useful facilities, along with free Wi-Fi.

Suwon is one of the primary places where Korean history took shape and made the place it is today. The place is culturally rich and thriving, filled with not only a seemingly infinite number of historic attractions but also with contemporary ones, such as unique museums, relaxing spas and huge stadiums.

Watch a Game at Suwon Sports Complex

The Suwon Stadium, Suwon Baseball Stadium, and Suwon Gymnasium are three athletic facilities that make up the Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, South Korea.

Suwon Stadium is a multi-use venue presently primarily utilized for football games.

It was constructed in 1971, with a seating capacity of approximately 11,800.

The Suwon Baseball Stadium, on the other hand, is a baseball field that is a part of Suwon Sports and is the home field of the KBO team KT Wiz.

It has a capacity of 20,000 people.

Suwon Gymnasium, an indoor sports venue with a seating capacity of 5,145, was constructed in 1984 to serve as the site of the handball competitions for the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Be Amazed at the Attractions of Wolhwawon Garden

The famous gardens of Guangdong Province found in China have had a significant impact on Wolhwawon Garden, which is located at the westernmost part of Hyowon Park.

A special memorandum of understanding between the provincial governments of Guangdong, China, and Gyeonggi-do, Korea, resulted in the creation of the Wolhwawon Garden in 2003.

Traditional gardens from early Guangdong served as inspiration for Wolhwawon Garden’s elements and general layout.

Through window panes, the garden was designed so that occupants of buildings could admire the scenery.

Other attractions include a lake and a soil-based artificial hill with a waterfall.

The garden was created with the cooperation of 80 Chinese laborers who traveled to Korea to construct this garden and financial assistance of 3.4 billion won from Guangdong.

Visit and Relax at Gwanggyo Lake Park

Around 3 million people visit Gwanggyo Lake Park each year, a park in Ha-dong, Yeongtong-gu.

Gwanggyo Lake Park offers the ideal vista, a variety of fitness options, and places to unwind.

If you are a climber, you may experience leading, bouldering, or even fast climbing in Gwanggyo Lake Park, thanks to the large sports climbing wall in the center of the park.

The alternative is to just observe climbers as they ascend.

You’ll have fun and get a tinge of interest in sports climbing.

Additionally, there are cafés where you may relax with a lovely view of Gwanggyo Lake while sipping on various refreshments.

Recharge at the Novotel Ambassador Suwon

The Hwaseong Fortress and Suwon City Hall are both within a 10-minute drive of the Novotel Ambassador Suwon, which puts guests in the center of Suwon.

More than 200 rooms have minibars and flat-screen TVs so you can feel at home.

You may stay connected with free wired and wireless Internet access, while cable programming offers entertainment.

Bidets and hair dryers can be found in private bathrooms.

Make sure to make use of the sauna and fitness center, among other leisure options.

A hair salon, wedding services, and free wireless Internet connection are available at this hotel as extras.

Guests may dine at The Square, a buffet with a bar and lounge, or you can remain in and order room service.

Adore the Sights at Hwahongmun Gate

The Hwahongmun Gate, one of the two main gates built to regulate the flow of the Suwoncheon stream that runs through the citadel, is the northern gate of Hwaseong.

Seven different-sized arched watergates make up Hwahongmun Gate.

To properly regulate the water flow, the watergate in the middle is bigger than the others.

The north entrance of the castle, which was constructed above the Suwon River and featured seven arches beneath it, is one of the citadel’s most picturesque features.

An exquisite wooden pavilion that may be defended in the event of sieges is keeping watch over the river.

The series of weirs on the river on the southern side of the gate add to its appeal.

Final Thoughts

The largest Seoul Metropolitan Area is home to the capital of the Gyeonggi Province, and the Hwaseong Fortress’s walls encircle some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

A contemporary city coexists with five kilometers of walls that have been strengthened with guard stations and grand gates.

Look over the list of the best things to do in Suwon so you can make plans for the day.

Discover more about this fascinating location and take part in activities to have unforgettable experiences.

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