Run Away With Me to . . . Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (수원화성)

Planning a trip to Korea and want to take a day trip from Seoul? Suwon Station (수원역) is a 31-minute train ride from Seoul Station (서울역), and then it's a quick bus ride to one of my favorite Unesco World Heritage sites in Korea...

Whether traveling solo or with a group, there is plenty to keep you occupied at Suwon Hwaseong and its surrounding neighborhoods.

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I visit the fortress area a lot, and yet there is always something new to see or discover. Suwon Hwaseong was built toward the end of the 18th Century by Joseon King Jeongjo (reigned 1777~1800). If you're into history, this same King Jeongjo was the son of the notorious and tragic Prince Sado. King Jeongjo relocated his father's tomb there and built enormous defensive walls, nearly 6km of which still survive and are walkable. Suwon City's official page on the fortress has fascinating information about the history and construction, as well as details on the surrounding attractions and monthly events, and it is available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.

With 6 walkable kilometers, you can get some exercise and some glorious views at any time of year. I think that the fortress is particularly striking in the fall and after winter snowstorms (see above), but fallen leaves, rain, and snow can make parts of the upper walls slippery and difficult for children or mobility-impaired visitors. However, within and without those beautiful walls are a multitude of paths and different directions to explore if you would rather have a less strenuous experience.

Some of my favorite attractions inside the walls are Haenggung (화성행궁), the palace and museum (entry info with other specs below), and the Haenggung-dong (행궁동) streets full of restaurants, gift shops, claw machine arcades, and so much more.

From fried whole chickens (수원통닭), a local specialty with its own street, to street vendors and cozy cafes, there is something to eat on every corner. On the southern end, the Alley Market (못골종합시장) is a great place to grab some snacks at lower prices than you'll see in Seoul, and then you can walk back north up the river to find some coffee. Local roastery Jeong Jiyoung Roasters sells Suwon-branded merch, and while it isn't cheap, they sell beautifully packaged drip coffee sets, and their coffee is fantastic. There are also dozens of smaller places, so avoid the chain coffee and wander the alleys instead. Another locally famous food is Galbi (수원갈비)--short ribs--which are a delicious indulgence to top off the end of your day.

There are too many things to do in just one day (which is typical in Korea), so I recommend making a map of places that look interesting to you and spending the entire day within the walls to see as much as you can. If you have children and/or strollers, there are some lower paths on the walls that are doable, and roads inside the walls. While the wall walk is not wheelchair accessible, the roads inside the walls are broad and have sidewalks, and the smaller alleys are generally wide enough for a wheelchair to pass. However, many of the restaurants and cafes do have narrow entrances and second floors with only stair access. That being said, some of the bigger, newer cafes have elevators, and there are wheelchair-accessible buses that leave from Suwon Station.

Other activities include a traditional archery experience (3,000 ₩ for 10 rounds), a trolley ride, and guided tours. The website has a list of recommended routes for self-guided tours that range from 1-4 hours long, and other Korean standards like noraebangs (singing rooms), instant photo booths, and convenience stores are plentiful inside and outside the walls.

If you're interested in the history, I highly recommend looking up both King Jeongjo and Prince Sado. If you prefer a fictional connection (or like Kdramas!), one of my favorite authors has two novels that touch a bit on both of these famous men. Korean-Canadian author June Hur's The Red Palace is a romantic mystery set during the time of Prince Sado, and her upcoming Behind Five Willows (out in May, 2026) is a Pride and Prejudice retelling set under the reign of King Jeongjo. I highly recommend them even if you aren't a huge fan of romance or mystery!

Convinced or want to know more? Click any of the links in this post or leave questions in the comments^^

Details and Directions:

• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is free to enter and open year-round, but portions might close temporarily for restoration or events.

• Haenggung (Temporary Palace) is open 09:00 ~ 18:00, with special evening hours Fri-Sun from May to October.

• Haenggung-Dong can be accessed from anywhere inside the fortress, so both of the included addresses can be used as a starting point.

Haenggung Temporary Palace Admissions:

Adults: 2,000 ₩

Children: 1,000₩ (ages 7-12)

Discounts available for military, those over the age of 65, and groups of 20 or more

*Entry is free to those wearing Hanbok

**More ticket categories and information are available here.

Location:

Suwon Hwaseong - 910 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16253, Republic of Korea

Korean Address for Kakao Maps, Public Bus, or a Taxi Driver: 수원화성, 경기도 수원시 장안구 하서무로 5, or closer to the parking lot: 팔달구 정조로 910

Parking: 화홍문공영주차장

• Public Bus from Suwon Station (use the Suwon Station/AK Plaza Stop #03195) across the road from the station - all transit cards accepted) - #'s: 5, 7-1, 7-2, 60-1, 66, 66-4, 301, 900, 310, 7-1A, 400A, 777

• 7-1A is more likely to have a wheelchair accessible bus, and 900, 310, and 7-2 are some of the most frequent and longest-running lines to use.

• Ride the bus from Suwon Station and get off at the 7th stop - Hwaseomun/JanganKongwon (#01258) - (화서문.장안공원 정류장). If you miss the stop, the next stop will also be close to one of main gates!

Suwon Haenggung - 18 Haenggung-ro 40beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16260

Korean Address [경기도 수원시 팔달구 행궁로 18 (남창동 68-5)]

• It is easy to walk here from any section of the wall, but because a lot of the roads inside the walls are narrow and crowded with foot traffic, it's better to take a taxi, car, or bus to one of the main gates unless mobility is an issue.

More Info:

Suwon Cultural Foundation Website