Saturday, January 7, 2017

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress 수원 화성 :: Day 02 :: South Korea Winter Escape Trip 6-15 January 2017

After lunch, we go to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress 수원 화성 [유네스코 세계문화유산] by local bus.

Credit: Google Search Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Map
We ride bus number #7 and stop in front of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 화성행궁. It took about 5 bus stop (the next bus stop after the bus stop that you can see Paldalmun Gate 팔달문).

Paldalmun Gate 팔달문
The bus stop is right in front of Haenggung Plaza. It's like a big park, and a lot of kids and elder play in there. There are some that play kite, or any outdoor activity.

We cross the road from the bus stop, then enter the park.

The Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 화성행궁, located right behind the park. To enter the palace, we have to buy ticket KRW 1.500/pax. And we will got free map of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress 수원 화성 and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 화성행궁.




After buy the ticket, we will enter this gate.



Then we will see this building called Bongsudang.



A Royal Banquet at Bongsudang. This space is to show partial reproduction of a royal banquet during the journey in 1795 (Eulmyowonhaeng). King Jeongjo is paying his respects to his mother, Hyegyeonggung Hong, and the yeogwan (Lady Offices) are assisting the King and Hyegyeonggung Hong. At the banquet, 12 appetizers, 70 main dishes and 42 flower decorations were presented to Hyegyeonggung Hong.


From Bongsudang, we follow the tour group. And we arrive at the back side of palace. There's this big unique tree.


The building beside the tree, called Noraedang, and behind the tree called Deukjungjeong. And beside the Noraedang, there's a building called Naknamheon.
Noraedang & Deukjungjeong

The building behind the tree, called Deukjungjeong, and beside the tree called Noraedang

Right in front of Noraedang/Deukjungjeong, there's a building called Hwaryeongjeon. We have to pass the small field.

Hwaryeongjeon

inside Hwaryeongjeon

inside Hwaryeongjeon
After explore Hwaryeongjeon, we go back to the square that has the unique tree. There's a stairs to go up from there. We try to go up there, to reach the fortress.



the view from the middle of stairs, in front of Naeposa Temple.

view from Mirohanjeong Pavilion
The fortress gate is lock. So we decided to go back and go there from the front.

The flag, right after you come in to the palace.
The palace is quiet large. And it's confusing. But you can see a lot of palace stuff. We also arrive at dead-end place. But after few turn, finally, we arrive at the front gate.

From the front gate, we took the right path. There's a toilet in there, and you will pass Tourist Information Centre. Then you will arrive at Car Parking Lot.

Actually, you can ride Hwaseong Train from here. I want to ride the train, but I saw that there's no seat available already that time. I think, a lot of tour group has booked the seat.

We walk accross the parking lot, and climb the stairs right behind the parking lot.


Then you will arrive in the middle of road, take left path, and then climb the stairs again at your right side.


The stairs is quiet long, so prepare yourself.

Then we arrive at Seojangdae / Hwaseong Jangdae / Command Post. The view from here is breathaking. You can see Suwon City, even almost the whole fortress.




From there, we decided to walk through the fortress to Janganmun Gate direction.




Seoilchi (Bastion)
We arrive at Seobukgangnu 서북각루 / Observation Tower. You can climb the tower, but you have to take off your shoes. I got my leg cramp while take-off my shoes. The effect from sit too long time at the plane, then walk, and climb stairs, and the cold weather. Then I try to bend my leg, and fortunately the cramp is gone. 

Seobukgangnu is also the northwestern pavilion. The structure, known as a gangu, is located at an elevated position to allow surveillance of the surround area. In times of peace, Seobukgangnu was used as a place of rest. During times of war, it was used as a command post by troops stationed near Hwaseomun Gate.

The first floor featured a floor heating system. This system was used by troops to keep them warm during the cold night duty.

There are a total of four gangu present at Hwaseong Fortress.






Then we arrive at Hwaseomun Gate  화서문. Hwaseomun Gate is the western gate of Hwaseong Fortress, Treasure No. 403. Over the stone mujigae (rainbow) door is a single-story tower gate. Hwaseomun Gate's ongseong (defensive gate) forms a crecent shape, with one side of the ongseong remaining open.




We decided to go down at Hwaseomun Gate. It's almost sunset time.



the gate


View from the park in front of Hwaseomun Gate

view in front of Hwaseomun Gate

Hwaseomun Gate
Then we walk along beside the fortress. And we arrive at Janganmun Gate 장안문 / Northern Gate. This Gate also serves as the main entrance. "Jangan" means capital, and Hwaseong Fortress carries the meaning of being a secondary capital. Janganmun Gate is considered the main gate because this is the direction that the king would come from when arriving from Hanyang, the capital city, now modern-day Seoul. It is interesting to note that this gate is larger than Sungryemun Gate in Seoul.


from the side




Janganmun Gate
Then we walk again.



The weather is so nice and not too cold. We enjoy walk around the fortress. And then we arrive at Bukdongporu (Firearm Bastion). From there, we cross the road, and then arrive at Buksumun / Flood Gate / Hwahongmun




Then we decided to go back near Paldalmun Gate 팔달문.

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I have a chance to take picture of Paldalmun Gate 팔달문 at Night.






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Expense for 7th January 2017
- Airasia X Cammomile Hot Tea : MYR 4 (IDR 12.340)
- Top Up T-Money : KRW 20.000 (IDR 250.000)
- Buy Snack at CU Airport : KRW 3.250 (IDR 40.625)
- Ddak Galbi : KRW 20.000 / 3 : KRW 6.667 (IDR 83.334)
- Hwaseong Haenggung Palace : KRW 4.500 (IDR 56.250)

Sub Total: IDR 442.549

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Flight Ticketing+Accomodation+Visa: IDR 5.390.349,5
6th January 2017: IDR 8.329,5
7th January 2017: IDR 442.549

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Total: IDR 5.841.228 (include transport + eat #food, snack, drink#)

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