itinerary to suwon minar

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one Days of Cultural Fun in Suwon & Yongin

RegionSuwon-si Gyeonggi-do
Duration2 DAYS/1 NIGHT

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【 Photo: Tulip festival at Everland 】

OVERVIEW

Easily accessible by public transportation from Seoul, Suwon and Yongin are two popular nearby cities that attract many visitors due to the several fun attractions and cultural heritage sites. Not only can you find historical sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, the nearby city of Yongin is also home to several theme parks including Everland, Korean Folk Village, and more. Follow our suggested itinerary to enjoy a fulfilling time in Suwon and Yongin!

Day 1

110:00 AM Hwaseong Fortress & Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

21:00 PM Motgol Market

33:00 PM Korean Folk Village

10:00 AM - Hwaseong Fortress & Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

【 Photo: Janganmun Gate of Hwaseong Fortress 】

Hwaseong Fortress was constructed during the Joseon Dynasty, under the reign of King Jeongjo (1752-1800). The fortress wall, with a height of 4-6m, stretches a total of 5.74km around the city, including the areas of Jangan-gu and Paldal-gu.

Hwaseong Fortress was constructed very methodically, with a combination of artistic elements and the most advanced scientific knowledge of the time. For that, the erection of the fortress was highly commended in the early modern age and was thus designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997. Hwaseong Fortress remains well-preserved in its original state, allowing visitors to appreciate and enjoy this historical cultural heritage site.

As much as taking a leisure stroll along Hwaseong Fortress is enjoyable, visitors who would like to tour the fortress in a more comfortable way may opt for a ride on the Hwaseong Train. This tourist tram travels between Paldalsan and Yeonmudae, allowing riders to enjoy the scenic views of Hwaseong Fortress at a glance. The front of the train is shaped like a powerful dragon, and the guest cars resemble palanquins that once carried the king during his excursions.

【 Photo: Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 】

A haenggung palace refers to a temporary palace where the king and royal family could visit to enjoy a retreat. The Hwaseong Haenggung Palace located within Hwaseong Fortress was the largest, most beautiful and most frequented haenggung palace by the royal family. It was sometimes referred to as Hwaseong’s Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Similar to a modern-day city hall building of its time, it transformed into a temporary residence whenever the king visited. Although the premises were nearly all destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), the palace was later restored in 1996 and reopened to the public in 2003.

* Related page
Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress

Address: 190, Yeonmu-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions (Janganmun Gate): Get off at Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 1 → Walk for about 250m towards Suwon Station∙Novetel Suwon Bus Stop and take Bus No. 11 or 13 → Get off at Janganmun Gate∙Buksudnog∙Hwahongmun Gate Bus Stop → Walk for about 400m to arrive at Hwaseong Fortress.
Operating hours: March-October 09:00-18:00 / November-February 09:00-17:00
Admission: Adults 1,000 won / Teens 700 won / Children 500 won
(Integrated Pass Adults 3,500 won / Teens 2,000 won / Children 800 won; Includes admission to Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Suwon Hwaseong Museum, Suwon Museum)
Hwaseong Train Fee: Adults 1,500 won / Teens 1,100 won / Children 700 won

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

Address: 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: Walk for about 900m from Janganmun Gate (located within the fortress)
Operating hours: March-October 09:00-18:00 / November-February 09:00-17:00
Admission: 1,500 won

1:00 PM – Motgol Market

【 Photo: Scenes at Motgol Market 】

Motgol Market is one of the nine markets in close vicinity to Paldalmun Gate of Hwaseong Fortress that form the greater Nammun Traditional Market. The first traditional market to introduce discount coupons and sale events, this is a bustling marketplace that is always full of visitors.

Primary foods such as vegetables and fruits, as well as instant foods are sold here on a daily basis, just like any other typical neighborhood market. In particular, at the instant food corner, a wide assortment of food vendors can be found, allowing visitors to enjoy both fried snacks and robustly filling meals. After finishing your tour around Hwaseong Fortress, drop by the market for some delicious kal-guksu (noodle soup) or nokdo-jeon (mung bean pancake), tteok-bokki (stir-fried rice cake), and other Korean foods!

Address: 10-12, Suwoncheon-ro 258beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: Walk for about 800m from Hwaseong Fortress.

3:00 PM – Korean Folk Village

【 Photo: Scenes at Korean Folk Village 】

Reproducing the typical scenes and daily lifestyles of people in the Joseon Dynasty, traditional houses and items, as well as the natural environment, can easily make anyone feel as if they have just time traveled back into the past!

The Korean Folk Village is a popular filming location for various historical movies and dramas, and there are also a variety of hands-on programs available for all visitors to enjoy. Other attractions include a folk museum and an art museum, displaying folk artifacts from around the world.

Nongak (farmer’s music), equestrian feats, a traditional wedding ceremony and other interesting performances are offered for visitors to enjoy. In addition, pajeon (green onion pancake), buchimgae (pan-fried vegetable pancake), kkochi-gui (grilled skewers), gukbap (rice soup) and other folksy foods are sold at the marketplace. Visitors can also purchase dongdongju (rice wine) from the Korean Folk Village Distillery to try this traditional alcohol.

Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: From Motgol Market, walk for about 200m to 2001 Outlet Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 37 and get off at Korean Folk Village Bus Stop (Alternatively, take the free shuttle bus from Suwon Station)
Operating hours: Weekdays 09:30-18:30 / Weekends 09:30-19:00 (Closing time varies according to season)
Fare
Admission: Adults 15,000 won / Teens 12,000 won / Children 10,000 won
Free Pass: Adults 24,000 won / Teens 19,000 won / Children 17,000 won (includes admission to amusement park in the Korean Folk Village)
Website: www.koreanfolk.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Day 2

19:30 AM Everland

22:00 PMCaribbean Bay

9:30 AM – Everland

【 Photo: Many people having fun at Everland 】

Everland is an amusement park that holds fun and seasonal festivals all year round. The theme park is divided into various zones, each with a distinctive element such as American Adventure, where exhilarating thrill rides can be found; Magic Land, where a carousel, Ferris wheel and lovely decorations create a fairytale-like scene; European Adventure, where beautiful flowers bloom throughout the year: as well as Zootopia, where various animals can be seen. Thus, Everland makes a great amusement complex with more than enough attractions to fill an entire day.

【 Photo: Aibao in Panda World
(Photo courtesy of Everland) 】
【 Photo: Lebao in Panda World
(Photo courtesy of Everland) 】

Above all, visitors to Everland may also get to see a pair of cute pandas, roaming around the newly opened Panda World. Integrated and advanced IT techniques were implemented to create an even more rewarding experience at Panda World, allowing visitors regardless of age or gender to have a great time with the pandas' cute tricks. Another popular attraction is the live hologram theater, open for all visitors. Special character shows are presented for children, while hallyu fans will be delighted to watch a hologram concert of G-Dragon that feels completely real.

Address: 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: From Korean Folk Village, take a taxi for about 4.2km to Giheung Station (Bundang Line, Yongin Everline) → From Giheung Station, take the subway and get off at Jeondae∙Everland Station (Yongin Everline), Exit 3 → Take the free shuttle bus to the entrance of Everland
Operating hours: 09:30-21:00 (Hours vary according to day of the week)
Fare
Admission: Adults 43,000 won / Teens 36,000 won / Children 33,000 won
Ride Pass: Adults 52,000 won / Teens 44,000 won / Children 41,000 won
Website: www.everland.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

2:00 PM – Caribbean Bay

【 Photo: Scenes at Caribbean Bay (Photo courtesy of Everland) 】

The Caribbean Bay is a water theme park that has a distinctive set of thrilling water rides, facilities and has a motif of a Spanish port, featuring decorations such as Spanish-style stone buildings, tropical plants and a ship wreck for an exotic atmosphere. The water park is divided into five zones, namely Aquatic Center, Sea Wave, Fortress, Wild River and Bay Slide. A spa, sauna and other seasonal facilities can be enjoyed at the Aquatic Center, while artificially produced waves can be enjoyed at the Wave Pool in the Sea Wave area. Other attractions including Lazy River, Adventure Pool, Kids' Pool and a broad diversity of slides facilities are installed in the other zones.

Address: 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: Walk for about 400m from the entrance of Everland to Caribbean Bay
Operating hours: 10:00-17:00 (Hours vary by season)
Admission: Mid-Season (August 29 – October 3, 2016) Adults & Teens 50,000 won / Children 39,00 won (Vary according to season)
* Purchasing a Combo Ticket provides one-day passes to Everland & Caribbean Bay at a discounted price.
Website: www.everland.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

* Related column
All about sense and sensibility: Yongin

TIP. A must-visit if time allows

Daejanggeum Park

【 Photo: Reproduced traditional old houses seen at Daejanggeum Park 】

Daejanggeum Park in Yongin is Korea's largest scale historical drama open filming set. In contrast to other drama sets, Daejanggeum Park has been re-created based on historical records and research, thereby accurately reflecting the structures and culture of ancient times.

The park has served as the filming location for hugely popular Korean historical dramas such as "Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)" featuring Kim Soo-hyun, "Gu Family Book (2013)" starring Lee Seung-gi and Suzy, and "Empress Ki (2013)" showcasing Ha Ji-won and Ji Chang-wook. Unquestionably, the park is the main filming location for legendary drama, "Dae Jang Geum (2003)," giving the theme park its name. The park is also used for commercial and advertisement filming, and serves as a historical backdrop for international features on Korea's history.

Address: 25, Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Directions: From Yongin Bus Terminal Bus Stop, take Bus No. 10 and get off at Baekamteo Terminal Bus Stop → From Baekamteo Terminal, take a taxi for about 8km to Daejanggeum Park.
Operating hours: March-October 09:00-18:00 / November-February 09:00-17:00
Admission: Adults 7,000 won / Teens 6,000 won / Children 5,000 won
Website: djgpark.imbc.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

More info

☞ Websites:

Suwon Cultural Foundation english.swcf.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Yongin Tourism tour.yongin.go.kr (Korean only)

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +87-9-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

This page was last updated in August 2016, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details from the official websites before visiting. <Last updated on August 25, 2016>