A day trip to Suwon: history, culture and scenic spots

Suwon is a frequently underrated travel destination, however, if you’re visiting Korea to immerse yourself in the country’s stunning history and culture, then this city is a great spot to visit!

Hwaseong Fortress, Paldalmun & Suwon Hwaseong Museum

This is our pick for Suwon's top attraction. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hwaseong Fortress surrounds the oldest part of Suwon and is a popular spot for those who enjoy walking. It was originally built in order to protect the King’s temporary palace or Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, so there’s some truly gorgeous historical architecture to be seen here.

If you’re hoping to hike the perimeter of the fortress, it should take around three to four hours, however, if you’re just looking for a short visit, one of the most recommended spots is the southern gate, also known as Paldalmun.

There is also a nearby museum, open Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 6 pm, which visitors can enter for a small fee. It explores the history of the fortress, displaying architectural plans and maps, for those who want to learn more background information on the fortress’ construction.

Our pick: We chose to pick Hwaseong Fortress and Paldalmun as the top attractions in Suwon due to not only our love of history but also how fun it is to hike here! It’s a popular hiking spot for Koreans, and with steep hills and plenty of ground to explore just a stone’s throw from the train station, it’s a great place to enjoy gorgeous views of the city below whilst learning about Korea’s rich history. 

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace 

Once you’ve visited the exterior, be sure to head through the gates of Hwaseong Fortress to visit the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, originally built as a seasonal spot for King Jeonjo to stay, and made a great retreat for the Royal Family to live in during the war. Be sure to check online for information around the time of your visit, as there are many different cultural events and performances held here throughout the year.

The palace is open from 9 am until 6 pm every day, and there is a small admission fee for entry.

Haenggung-dong Mural Village & Suwon Museum of Art

Not far from Haenggung Palace are the Haenggung-dong Mural Village and the Suwon Museum of Art, which are both great destinations if you’re an art lover looking to explore some of South Korea’s artistic beauty.

Though there are a number of stunning mural villages in the country, Haenggung-dong mural village in Suwon is truly unmissable. Divided into eight different sections, each mural display is easy to find, and all are displayed on maps around the village so you don’t need to worry about missing any!

If you’re visiting on a day with poor weather conditions, or simply prefer to view artwork hanging on the walls of a well-lit gallery, then a visit to Suwon Museum of Art should definitely be on your list!

This museum is slightly different in that it is spread across four different locations, including Hwaseong Haenggung Palace Square, Pajang-dong, Art Space Gwanggyo, and Manseok Park, and each location boasts a range of unique and stunning artworks, making it a great way to spend some time on an art tour!

Try Galbi / Wang Galbi

Suwon is the home of the popular Galbi, a barbecue beef short-rib dish, that has been marinated in a special blend of onions, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. This dish is sweet and delicious and is one of the best things to eat during your trip to Suwon.

If you’re hungry, be sure to try the Wang Galbi, marinated the same way as Galbi, this is a larger cut of meat, making it a perfect option if you want to fill up on this delicious treat!

South Korea is famous for its many delicious foods, but whilst you’re visiting Suwon, this is a great chance to try the most popular dish in this local area!

Suwon is located just south of Seoul, making it easy to get here on a day trip via public transport, including buses, trains, and the Seoul Subway System. Depending on how much time you’re happy to spend travelling, and what kind of a budget you’re on, will depend on which mode of transport will be best for you.

By Road

Even if you’re planning on renting a car whilst you’re staying in Seoul, this is one of the least recommended ways of taking a day trip to Suwon. Since it’s located close to Seoul, there’s the potential to spend a lot of your journey sitting in traffic, and since the journey takes over an hour, it’s much more cost-effective to travel by subway instead.

By Subway

Whilst Suwon is located outside of Seoul, it’s easily accessible by subway, and depending on where you choose to stay, you can get to Suwon Station in under an hour. You’ll likely not take too many transfers, as Suwon is located on line one.

If you’re travelling on a budget, this is by far the best option, as it should only cost around 2,000 won to get here (that’s less than $2 USD) - not bad for a day trip to another city!If you choose to take this mode of transport, one thing that you must be aware of is that line one branches into two different directions as it heads south. To catch the train to Suwon Station, you’ll want to take the train bound for Cheonan (including the express train options), Sinchang, or Seodongtan. Do not catch trains bound for Incheon, as these will take you to a completely different city!

By Train

If you’re looking for a quick way to get to Suwon, you can take the KTX train from Seoul Station to Suwon. Depending on where you’re travelling from in Seoul, this can often be the fastest option, with the journey time between the stations taking just over half an hour. For this mode of transport, you will need to purchase a ticket in advance at the station, or they can be booked online.

Despite the fast and convenient travel time, it must be noted that train fares in Korea can be much more expensive than taking the subway, so unless you’re in a real hurry, it’s often better to stick to the underground.

By Bus

Travelling by bus is a great way of getting around Korea. Buses, much like the subway, are often inexpensive and reliable.There are a variety of buses you can take, depending on where you’re travelling from in Seoul, so it’s best to plan your journey online using Kakao Maps or Naver Maps before you travel.

When to visit Suwon

Though seasons in South Korea can be quite extreme (with winters dropping far into the minuses and Summers reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius), Suwon is a great place to visit at any time of year.

As it is a destination known for historical sites rather than nature, the beauty of the city remains almost consistent throughout the seasons due to the stunning architectural sights that stand here.

That said, if you’re looking to take a day trip from Seoul during your stay, it’s best to visit the city during Spring or Autumn, when you can experience mild and comfortable temperatures, and the stunning walled city is framed with the beauty of cherry blossoms or golden autumnal leaves.

Where to stay in Suwon

Whilst Suwon is a gorgeous spot to visit, it doesn’t often see many international tourists, meaning it can be a little difficult here if you don’t speak Korean.

For this reason, if you plan on staying in the city for a couple of days and don’t speak Korean, it’s best to find a major hotel in the city centre, where the staff will speak English.