Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Audio Guide & Tour — Things to Do in Suwon, Korea

About

Hwaseong Fortress is a world-class cultural heritage that contains the filial piety of the 22nd king of Joseon, Jeongjo Daewang, and his dream of realizing powerful royal politics. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage, this place went beyond a simple defensive fortress to be a planned new city and the center of a commercial city constructed by King Jeongjo when he moved the tomb of his father, Sadoseja. With the scientific design of Silhak scholar Jeong Yakyong and the application of new technologies like the Geojunggi (crane), it was completed in 2 years and 6 months, and boasts a unique architectural beauty combining the advantages of Eastern and Western fortress construction techniques.

Along the 5. 7km fortress wall, the 4 major gates including Paldalmun and Janganmun, and various defense facilities like Gongsimdon, Poru (Artillery Bastion), and Gangnu (Corner Pavilion) are harmoniously arranged, allowing you to glimpse the essence of late Joseon culture and the wisdom of the leading figures of the time.

Stories you can hear here

19 stories · about 27 min

IntroThe Fortress Wall That Bent to Avoid Private Houses41 sec
SpotJanganmun Gate (North Gate)The Grandly Built Main Gate50 sec
SpotHwaseong Haenggung PalaceThe Palace Built for a Mother's Sixtieth Birthdayabout 1 min
SpotSeobukgongsimdon (Northwest Watchtower)The Unique Joseon Watchtower That King Jeongjo Boasted Aboutabout 2 min
SpotHwaseomun Gate (West Gate)The Half-Moon Defensive Wall58 sec

Show 14 more

SpotGangnu (Corner Pavilion)A Military Command Post Hidden in a Hilltop Pavilionabout 1 min
SpotPoru (Artillery Bastion)A Brick and Wood House for Artillery53 sec
SpotSeojangdae Command PostThe Command Post Illuminated by the Seojangdae Signboardabout 2 min
SpotBongsudang HallA Hall of Ten Thousand Years Praying for a Mother's Long Lifeabout 2 min
SpotNoraedang HallThe Annex Where a King Dreamed of Life After the Throneabout 1 min
SpotHwaryeongjeon ShrineThe Ondol Heating of Unhangak and King Jeongjo's Portraitabout 2 min
SpotHwahongmun Gate (Northern Floodgate)The Wisdom of the Waterway in the Seven Rainbow Archesabout 2 min
SpotAmmun (Secret Gate)The Brick Ammun (Secret Gate) That Fits a Single Horseabout 1 min
SpotDongjangdae Command Post (Yeonmudae)Dongjangdae: The Command Post with a Ramp for Horsesabout 2 min
SpotChangnyongmun Gate (East Gate)The Blue Dragon Gate with Names Carved in Stoneabout 2 min
SpotBongdon (Beacon Tower)The Five Pillars of Smoke the King Watched43 sec
StoryKing Jeongjo's City for the People, Built with the Geojunggiabout 2 min
StoryThe Work Site That Gave Out Fur Hats and Herbal Pillsabout 2 min
StoryThe World Heritage Revived by an Official Recordabout 2 min

Preview

Building an ordinary apartment block usually takes about two years. Yet this massive fortress wall, stretching 5.7 kilometers, was built in less than three. Construction began in 1794 and was completed in 1796.

This speed was achieved through King Jeongjo's grand vision and an advanced lifting machine called the geojunggi, invented by the Practical Learning scholar Jeong Yakyong. The builders even curved the walls to avoid tearing down people's homes. Take a walk along the path of the wall to see this impenetrable defense system and experience its history.

Keep listening in the app — stories play automatically by GPS as you get close.Keep listening in the app

Visitor info

Address: 780, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Hours: [Hwaseong Fortress] Always open [Hwaseong Haenggung Palace] 09:00~18:00
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free (Some facilities like Hwaseong Haenggung Palace have fees: Adults 2,000 won, Teenagers/Military 1,500 won, Children 1,000 won)