Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
수원화성
An 18th-century fortress an hour from Seoul by subway
- Hours
- Wall always open; Haenggung 9am–6pm (to 5pm in winter)
- Tickets
- Wall walk free; Haenggung and some buildings charge entry
- Address
- 825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon (Haenggung)
King Jeongjo built this 5.7-kilometre wall in the late 18th century, and it became a UNESCO site in 1997. You walk the top of the wall past gates like Paldalmun and Janganmun and rest at the pavilion Banghwasuryujeong. Inside is Hwaseong Haenggung, the king's temporary palace. The full loop takes two to three hours, but a section is plenty. Plenty of people end the day with fried chicken on the chicken street below the wall.