Suwon Hwaseong Fortress: Explore Joseon Dynasty's World Heritage Site in Gyeonggi-do
5.0
2 Ratings
Suwon
Discover the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gyeonggi-do. Immerse yourself in the history of the Joseon Dynasty and explore the impressive 5.7km-long walls built by King Jeongjo.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Hwaseong Fortress - The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal-san (143m), the fortification wall stretches a scenic 5.7km past four majestic gates, command posts, pavilions, observation towers and fire-beacon platforms. Built by King Jeongjo and completed in 1796, it was constructed of earth and faced with large stone blocks and grey bricks, nearly all of which have been restored.
What's Included
- Entrance fee for the mentioned tour attractions
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
A well-known short journey from Seoul, the vast city of Suwon stands as the biggest in the province of Gyeonggi-do, boasting World Heritage–marked defenses that continue to encircle its core. In the 18th century, Suwon almost ascended to the status of the nation’s capital when King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty had the 5.7km-long fortifications constructed during 1794–96 as a prelude to shifting the king’s residence southwards. However, with his death, the seat of power remained in Seoul, and Suwon turned into an outstanding tourist attraction. The city is approximately 30km to the south of Seoul.
Location
Hwaseong Fortress
910, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Sacha_n
Feb 21, 2024
Fortress and Village Fun - Nate was a great tour guide and host! He provided water and small snacks in his very comfortable and clean car. He grew up in the US, and moved to Korea for college, so had a unique perspective on the country. During the fortress part of the tour, he gave us the history, as well as some facts that really filled out the experience. We saw two of the gates, and walked along the ramparts. We then tried our hands at Korean traditional archery, which was fun! To finish the fortress portion of the tour, we went on a unique bus with semi-opaque LED screens for windows. We drove along the periphery of the fortress walls, and could see images of the building and plans, as well as further history on the screens. When there was something of interest to see, the screens would clear. From there we drove to the Korean Folk Village and started with lunch. Yummy! Then we saw the traditional dances in a parade, and had plenty of time to walk through the whole village, with Nate explaining what we were seeing. He took plenty of pictures for us, and made sure to tell us where to go to get the best views. We finished the tour with a dance performance in the theater, and a drive back to the hotel. It was a really special day!
Review provided by Viator
Kim
Nov 25, 2019
Excellent cultural and historical day trip! - It’s always difficult to find things that your teens will enjoy, but this trip was a great balance of history, culture and fun. Ben was a fantastic guide and we thoroughly enjoyed learning more about South Korea!
Review provided by Viator
