Seoul: Day Trip to Suwon Fortress

I suspect that anyone who visits Seoul for more than a few days takes the train or subway south to walk around the walls of Suwon Fortress or Hwaseong Fortress. For us it was a short walk from the Insadong R Guesthouse to Seoul Metro Line 1 which we rode all the way to Suwon Station for about 2 USD. After talking with the English Desk at the Visitor Information just outside the station, we hopped on bus #13 to Paldalmum Gate, bought our tickets, and started circumnavigating the 5.6 km Fortress Wall that was built in the 1790's.

It was warm in the bright sunshine but almost cold in the breezy shaded pavilions along the way. At most points you can look to the inside and see the entire wall, although the sections directly across are very small. There were plenty of toilets and not too many restaurants and souvenir shops. Locals were out just strolling. Perfect.

After finishing the circuit we headed back to Seoul stopping at Yeouido Hangang Park to see the cherry blossoms which were a dud. However the park along the Han River was a pleasant place to stroll, sit and people watch.

Returning to our guesthouse we see on the news that Notre-Dame Cathedral has burned. Oh no! Sun-Ling cooks up a batch of noodles which I consume with a grapefruit-flavored glass of soju.

Paldalmum Gate is in the center of a traffic circle.


We start walking the wall along with a group of children from a nearby primary school. They have more energy than us on this steep section of uphill.




Looking down to the center of the photo you can see the gate where we started. Oh, and that church with the steeple is not as tall as it looks; it's on a small hill. ;-D.


View through an opening in the wall.


Finally near the top and the kids are leading.


At the top. It was a long straight uphill. The Paldalmum Gate and nearby church steeple are small but visible. Whew!


Local walkers.


Sun-Ling enjoys the sunny day.


Sunwon Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site.


Another school group.


Looking towards the far side of the wall.


And a look to down to the restored Hwaseong Palace, built in 1789, which is inside the wall. We did not visit.


The multi-use path below the wall.


We took our shoes off and had a rest in one of the pavilions on the wall.




The wall then has several imposing north-facing gates.














There a stream that runs through the fortress.


View to the north.




A rounded tower.




Five chimneys that served as signal beacons.




Looking back to the signal beacons.


At the church with the steeple. Almost done.


Back to Paldalmum Gate and the bus stop. Done.


We rode Line 1 back to Seoul getting off at Daebang Station and walked over to Yeouido Park.


The cherry blossoms were a dud but the tulips were up.


Then down along the Han River where there is a wonderful water park.






We sat until the 5pm less-than-amazing water fountain show started. But still pretty good.




Then walked back to the subway a long Yeouido’s Hangang Park where tents could be rented and pizza ordered and lots of young couples were....There were hundreds if not thousands of these tents along the river.


I SEOUL YOU