Suwon is one of the main cities of South Korea and just an hour south of Seoul. This is the digi-tech city of the country and the nucleus of economic development. Despite its modern identity, history takes Suwon back to the 18 th century when it was built by King Jeongio of the Joseon Dynasty. The ancient city walls, Hwaseong, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site recently.

Hwaseong Castle was planned and built efficiently to withstand marauders armed with cannon balls and flaming arrows. This stone and brick structure took three years to build and is considered a trendsetter in castle technology and architecture. Jeonju studied contemporary European and Chinese castles to determine height, width and construction materials of the Hwaseong Castle. Four gates flank the castle - Changnyongmun Gate to the east, Hwaseomun Gate to the west, Paldamun Gate to the south and Jaganmun Gate to the north. There are lawns and walking paths within- it takes about three hours to traverse the castle. Japanese imperialists and later the Korean War damaged the castle but restoration began in 1975 and took four years to complete.

Mt Gwanggyosan, 582m, is one of the most scenic sights in Suwon. It lies between the Suwon - Seoul Highway and Gyeongbu Expressway. The perfect place for a forest bath or a day’s mountaineering and that too without the usual hordes of sightseers makes it an ideal getaway. Thickly wooded evergreen slopes and snow in winter on treetops make Gwanggyosan picturesque all year round.

The Open-Air Sculpture Park at Jangheung also houses the Museum Academy, an amphitheatre and an arts shop. It also happens to be one of the best café villages in South Korea. Very popular with young people, sculptures are displayed outdoors. Cultural extravaganzas are held in the Museum and seasonal folk festivals in the amphitheatre. One of the cafés ‘Neowajib’, fashioned like a traditional cottage, is at the corner of the museum. A very interesting place to hang out, its walls and ceilings are covered with graffiti, postcards, photographs and memos left behind by thousands of visitors.

The Moga Museum of Yeoju has 6000 pieces of Buddhist art, in an effort to put together all Buddhist sculptures in Korea. The outdoor park (10,000 sq metres) has exhibits of the Maitreya Buddha, Cosmic Buddha, Bodhisattva, a three-storey stone pagoda and the Bodhisattva of Compassion, among others. There is a pond in the centre of the park, Muaesanbang (traditional tearoom) and a monk food restaurant. The Main Hall has a basement and you start with the display of Myongbujeon (hall of kings of hell). The first floor is an organised display of exhibits and souvenirs while the second floor has tools used for sculpture and 500 Buddhist Nahans. The idea behind the Museum is preservation of Korean cultural assets rather than propagation of Buddhism. Entrance fees to the museum are 2000 won for adults and 1500 for children.

The Woncheon Amusement Park has water sports and two theme parks. Entrance is free but you pay for the rides and other facilities. There are hotels, motels, home-stays and camping grounds within the Park. Restaurants and cafes add to the lively atmosphere.

Other places of interest are Mt Chilbo, Mt Paidal, Old Pine Tree Zone, West Lake, Hwasan neung, Forest Resort Area, Jangan Park, Hyowon Park, Olympic Park and Hyohaeng Park. There’s also the Miniature Castle Park based on the themes of castles from around the world. The Hwaseong Observation Tower has been built to commemorate the World Cup 2002 match that will be held here in the month of June 2002. The Suwon World Cup Stadium is also newly constructed and boasts of a seating capacity of 44, 047.

Getting There: The nearest international airport is at Seoul. It takes 30 minutes by the subway train to get to Suwon from Seoul. The Suwon World Cup Stadium is only 45km from Seoul. You can also take a suburban bus from Nambu bus terminal for Suwon. If you are driving from Seoul, take the Gyeongbu Expressway or National Road No 42 to Suwon.

Accommodation: Hotels, motels, home stays and yeogwans (Korean inns) are some of the many options you have in Suwon. Prices and amenities range from the upper to the lower end of the spectrum.

For detailed country & visitor information, see South Korea.