Written by Maxwell F.
Arguably Suwon’s most iconic attraction, Hwaseong fortress is a focal point for any visit. Dotted with observation towers, command posts, and defensive emplacements, the fortress has numerous spots for scenic views of Suwon and the surrounding area, as well as giving visitors the opportunity to experience one of Korea’s best preserved and restored landmarks. And there is no designated way to walk the fortress, allowing visitors to choose how they wish to tackle the almost 6km fortress wall. Today we will take a look at some of Adventure Korea’s recommended routes to traverse the fortress wall.
Route 1
Walking the complete fortress
For those who don’t want to miss anything, Hwaseong fortress can be walked in its entirety in approximately 2-3 hours. For those looking to complete the entire route, the ideal point would be to start at Paldalmun, an isolated gate that was once attached to the main fortress. However, the gate now stands alone from the rest of the fortress, in order to accommodate roadways constructed as Suwon modernized and expanded. Walking in either direction from Paldalmun is acceptable, although starting from the west of the gate, beginning from the Namchi bastion, located near the tourist information center, will have visitors climbing up a fairly substantial series of stairs as they make their way up the mountain. Starting from the East of Paldalmun, near Namsumun floodgate, will provide access to the wall with much less climbing. Once along the fortress wall, you will be able to get views of all of Suwon,and be able to visit the entire plethora of unique structures along the wall, which largely continues uninterrupted until the hike is completed.
Route 2
Hwaseomun to Yeonmudae
For those looking for an easier, shorter, and yet still scenic route, the section of Fortress from Hwaseomun to Yeonmudae is one of Adventure Korea’s favorite paths. With both Hwaseomun and Yeonmudae located adjacent to roadways, accessing the fortress from either point is incredibly easy. The area near Hwaseomun provides some shade, in the form of tree cover overhanging the fortress, though this foliage gradually fades away as the hike continues down the mountainside. This section of the fortress sees some elevation change, necessitating some climbing(all on stairways), however, nothing is excessively steep. In the area around Janganmun gate, approximately halfway through this section, visitors will have the option to stop at one of the numerous cafes and restaurants located directly next to the fortress path. The area around Yeonmudae provides a large open area nearby to a bus station, and for a small fee(Approx. 3000 Krw at time of writing) travelers can try their hand at traditional Korean archery. Walking this section takes approximately 30 minutes, and visitors can enjoy scenic views of the city and Suwoncheon stream from the various towers and bastions that dot this section of fortress. For those who don’t want to miss some of the best views along the fortress, extend the hike to start or end at Seojangdae command platform. Just remember Seojangdae can only be exited or entered by using a fairly steep set of stairs.
Route 3
Janganmun to Paldalmun, Westwards
Janganmun gate is located right next to a bus station, providing very easy access to the fortress,especially those coming directly from Seoul. Starting here will allow travelers to see about half of the fortress, a route which takes about an hour to an hour and a half. While travelers can go in either direction from Janganmun, going right towards the mountain provides a more scenic experience. Travelers will experience the fortress meandering its way up the mountain, where visitors will notice the trail narrows somewhat as it travels through the forest. There are numerous points along this section that provide impressive views overlooking the city, culminating at Seojangdae, which provides arguably the best panoramic view of Suwon. Towards the end of the trail, just before reaching the final staircase descending towards Paldalmun, hikers have the option to stop at one of the cafes located adjacent to the fortress wall. This route does have quite a few sets of stairs, so be ready to do some climbing.
Route 4
Janganmun to Paldalmun, Eastwards
For those looking to avoid some of the steeper sections of the fortress wall, starting at Janganmun and heading left provides a more level route. While there is still some climbing, hikers using this route can avoid traversing the mountain section of the fortress. This section still provides scenic views of Suwon from its numerous bastions and watchtowers, and hikers can also enjoy the tranquility of Suwoncheon stream, as this route includes both floodgates that allow the stream to pass through the fortress. This route also lets visitors rest in the area around Yeonmudae, with easy access to cafes and shaded areas that provide relief from the sun. While this route may not have some of the mountain views that other routes have, it still has plenty of its own unique experiences and charm, and hikers face an easier route than some of the other sections.
Suwon Hwaseong fortress is a must see destination for anyone visiting Suwon. The fortress is remarkably well preserved and provides a unique outlook on Korea’s past that makes it a worthy trip even for those staying in Seoul. There are a number of different sections that hikers can take to experience some or all of the fortress wall, and visitors aren’t limited to the routes described above. With easy entry and exit points throughout the entirety of the fortress, visitors can create their own unique routes to explore this iconic landmark. And with so much to see, it’s a location where travelers can visit again and again.
If you need more information, feel free to visit our website [adventure.korea.com] or email us at info@adventurekorea.com!
You can also check our social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventurekorea
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventure.korea/?hl=fr
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adventure-korea/posts/?feedView=all
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0XBgpTl6KZZG0BlEGSBOCA
