Hello, international students! Today, I will introduce you to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a beautiful spring outing spot located near Seoul. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is a historical site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a planned city and southern fortress that was built in the 18th year of King Jeongjo's reign and completed over about two years. It is a perfect place for a spring outing as there are many things to see and do. Well, let me tell you some great tips to enjoy Suwon Hwaseong Fortress 100%!

1. Take a walk along the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Wall Road

First, take a leisurely walk along the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Wall Road. We recommend a course that starts from Hwaseomun Gate located in Jangan-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do and continues for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Janganmun Gate, Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion, and Dongjangdae (Yeonmudae). The slope is not steep, so you can walk comfortably, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress from all over.

As you walk along the fortress road, you can see old military facilities such as Seobukgongsimdon, Bukporu, and Bukseoporu. In particular, Janganmun Gate was destroyed by fire during the Korean War and restored in 1978, and traces of the Korean War can be seen, making it a historically significant place.

2. Enjoy a picnic at Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion

The next place I recommend is Dongbukgaknu, or Banghwasuryujeong. Banghwasuryujeong, which means ‘looking for flowers and playing with the birds,’ is a spring outing spot that boasts excellent scenery. Here, you can enjoy a romantic picnic while admiring the scenery of willow trees harmonizing with the pond.

However, please note that a fence has been installed around the pond and entry inside is prohibited. Enjoy the spirit of spring by sitting on the lawn and eating a light snack. It's also famous as a great photo spot, so you'll be able to take a lot of great photos to post on Instagram!

3. Ride the Hwaseong Fishing Car and Flying Suwon

If you want to enjoy Suwon Hwaseong Fortress even more specially, we recommend Hwaseong Eocha and Flying Suwon. You can take a leisurely tour of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress on the Hwaseong Fishing Train, which starts from Yeonmudae and circles Hwahongmun, Janganmun, Hwaseomun, and Hwaseong Temporary Palace. If you bring your own earphones, you can learn more deeply by listening to the audio commentary. Please check operating hours and fees in advance.

In addition, Flying Suwon, located near Changnyongmun Gate, is a moored helium balloon that allows you to ascend from an average of 70m to a maximum of 150m in the sky, and view the panoramic view of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Suwon City at a glance. You can enjoy the colorful spring flowers during the day and the sparkling night view of the city at night. Operations may be restricted depending on weather conditions, so it would be a good idea to check before visiting.

We have introduced three great tips for enjoying a spring outing at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. Let's go to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress to enjoy a colorful spring day, from the castle road, which is easy to walk in warm weather, to the Hwaseong Fishing Wheel and Flying Suwon, which offer unique experiences. I hope your spring outing will be a special memory! enjoy your trip!