Hwaseomun Gate, Suwon

Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon is a fortification whose construction began in 1794, the 18th year of King Jeongjo of Joseon, when Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado, from Yangju to Suwon, and which was completed in 1796, the 20th year of his reign. Although it followed the appearance of Chinese fortress walls, it was built using scientific methods that gave it a far more advanced form, making it an outstanding relic representative of Korean fortress architecture. Hwaseomun is the west gate of Hwaseong Fortress; all its facilities and dimensions are almost identical in structure to those of Changnyongmun, the east gate. A single-storey building stands on a platform built up with tall, squared stones; it measures three bays across the front and two bays to the side, with the spaces between all the pillars left open. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof that forms the shape of the character for "eight" (八) when viewed from the side. At the centre of the platform is a rainbow-shaped arched gate, and in front of it stands a brick-built, half-moon-shaped barbican. The barbican protects the gate and defends the fortress, giving a double layer of defence. A low wall pierced with holes for firing guns or arrows was also built around it for further protection. A short distance to the north of the barbican, a gongsimdon is joined to the fortress wall. Gongsimdon literally means "hollow inside", and it served the function of what is now called a guard post. Inside, one can go up and down via a staircase, and each storey has holes facing outward through which guns or arrows could be fired, ensuring thorough defence. This is a unique facility not found in other Korean fortress architecture; its structure is distinctive, and it adds still greater beauty to the scenery around Hwaseomun.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

March-October: 09:00-18:00 November-February: 09:00-17:00

Admission

[Suwon Hawseong Fortress]<br> Individuals - Adults 1,000 won / Teenagers 700 won / Children 500 won<br> Groups - Adults 700 won / Teenagers 500 won / Children 300 won<br> <br> <br> [Hwaseong Haenggung Palace] <br> Individuals - Adults 1,500 won / Teenagers 1,00 won / Children 700 won<br> Groups - Adults 1,200 won / Teenagers 800 won / Children 500 won<br> <br> <br> * Groups: 20 or more

Parking

Available

Information

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 <br>(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)<br> • For more info: +82-31-290-3600

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Suwon, Gyeonggi

Designation

Treasure · 보물