Day 2: Suwon Fortress

7am Seoul

I woke up pretty early but decided to laze around till 10. Had breakfast, watch some tv. And decided to head out at 11am as I'm heading a little bit out of Seoul.


From Seoul to Suwon, the journey by subway is the most fastest and convenient, I guess. It's about an hour plus journey. And it passes by through the universities and some sub-urban areas.
It gives u a chance to explore other parts of the country, without going so far out. I've never been to Suwon. But it's where one of those famous Korean drama "Jewel in the Palace" was filmed. When I reached Suwon Station. I search for the Suwon Tourist Office. They helped by giving me a map and tell me which bus to take. There are a few buses (11,13,13-3,36,39), I took whichever that arrived first. Then get down at Paldalmun Gate.

This is Paldalmun Gate. It's in the center of the road, acts as a round-about for the traffic.

Paldalmun is designated as one of the National Treasure. It is the south gate of Hwaseong Fortress. The gate is about 19.5metres high and it was built as a defensive measure by facilitating water against enemy attack.

I really had a difficult time finding the entrance as it was built in between the neighbourhood.
After walking through a couple blocks. I finally found the entrance.

The hilly entrance to the fortress. It's called Namchi.

See why the Koreans are very fit.
Ahjumma (Lady) in the photo climb the stairs faster than me. :x

After climbing up for like 15mins, I finally reached Hwaseong Trolley Station. Considering that their timing were pretty late. I decided to give it a miss and continue walking. I walked for another 15mins, down another slope.

Hwaseong Tram

I like this photo :)

Wooden Rice Chest

Ok, this wooden chest definitely has history. This wooden chest is where Prince Sado, father of King Jeongjo, died by being entrapped by the opposing party in 1762. Can you see how small that chest is? :(

The ancient way to tell time.

Kitchen

So after exploring the Hanggeung Palace. I walk again for another 15 mins to go to the other part of the fortress. I actually need to walk through the neigbourhood again.

Neighbourhood in Suwon.

A little closer look.

Finally I reach Hwahongmun.

Every walls of the fortress has these square holes. It's called gun-holes.
It's used to fight against enemy in case of war, in ancient times.

The roofs all seemed similar.

View while walking along the fortress.

Still have long way to go.. :(

This is the biggest church I've seen. :x

The video above is taken in Dongbuk Gongsimdon. Before I filmed this clip. You could some kids right? They are actually running around on top of the parapet of this place. Only God knows what will happen if any event they should fall. Considering that it's 6.8metres high. Haiz.

So I finish the whole walking course in 3 hours. By then, my legs nearly gave up. :(
Considering that it's 5.7km course.

Let's continue with Part 2 of Day 2... To Seoul Tower! :)