About
Hwaseong Fortress, also known as Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, stands in Suwon, a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it surrounds the old city of Suwon with a continuous wall and its associated architecture. The fortress was built in the late 18th century and is often regarded as a fine example of Korean fortress design.
What a visit offers
The walls themselves are the main attraction. Walking or exploring along them gives a sense of how the old city was laid out and defended, and of the engineering that went into a structure of this scale. The fortress is set within a city that still shows the contrast between its historic core and modern Suwon.
- The fortress wall encircling the old city of Suwon
- Its innovative architectural features, which the site is recognised for
- A heritage setting suited to a slow, unhurried walk
Getting there and planning
The fortress is at 910 Jeongjo-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16677. Suwon lies south of Seoul, so the fortress makes a good half-day or day outing from the capital. Visitors who want information before going can call +82-31-290-3600.
Because the fortress is an outdoor heritage site that encloses a whole city, it suits those who enjoy history, architecture and walking. Allow time to look at the wall in sections rather than trying to see everything in one pass.