Hwaryeongjeon is a building established in 1801 (the first year of King Sunjo's reign) beside Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, following King Jeongjo's wishes, enshrining his portrait as a royal shrine hall [影殿]. The royal shrine hall is a building distinguished from a shrine where ancestral tablets are kept for rites, as it houses the portrait of the late king and was a place to honor him as if he were alive. The name Hwaryeongjeon comes from 'Hwa' in Hwaseong and 'ryeong' from the phrase in the Shijing (Classic of Poetry) ‘Returning to pay respects to one’s parents’ [歸寧父母]. Hwaryeongjeon is a representative royal shrine hall of the Joseon Dynasty, created modestly yet with dignity according to King Jeongjo's intentions. (Source: Suwon Cultural Tourism homepage)
Haenggung-dong is a village where the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, built by the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo, based on Silhak ideology to live together with the people, stands, and the history and cultural relics of Suwon are alive throughout the area. Through the King's Alley Tour, which combines the history remaining in the alleys of Haenggung-dong and today's Haenggung-dong story, you can feel like you are traveling through time on a time machine to the Joseon period and become a king who visits to experience the changes of Haenggung-dong. Along with the world heritage site Suwon Hwaseong Fortress surrounding like a folding screen, the King's Alley Tour of Haenggung-dong, where tradition and modern charm blend, will be a relaxing '休' trip for you.
Haengnidan-gil is an area filled with unique restaurants and cafes, similar to Seoul's Gyeongridan-gil, stretching 612 meters from Hwaseo Park to Hwaseong Hwaseongmun in Suwon. The name combines Haenggung-dong and Gyeongridan-gil. The Hwaseong Haenggung area is designated as a development restricted zone, featuring many old houses and hanok. These aged buildings have been remodeled to create distinctive cafes, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular street for young people and a representative attraction of Suwon. Near Haengnidan-gil stands the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site Suwon Hwaseong, built by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty to honor his father, Crown Prince Sado. Visitors can also see the elegant ginkgo trees beside Hwaryeongjeon, Historic Site No.115. Haengnidan-gil still preserves much of its everyday scenery, including alleyways with murals such as Janganmun Old Road and Na Hye-seok Old Road.
Hwaseomun Gate is the western gate of Hwaseong Fortress, a Treasure. 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.
Suwon's Haenggung-dong refers to 12 neighborhoods around Suwon Hwaseong, including Jangan-dong, Sinpung-dong, Buksudong, Namchang-dong, Maehyang-dong, Namsudong, and Jisudong. From about 220 years ago when Hwaseong was built until a few decades ago, it was the busiest area in Suwon. However, after Suwon Hwaseong was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, strict development restrictions have frozen the area in time. In this Haenggung-dong, residents, civic groups, and artists united to create murals, completing the mural village that has become a tourist attraction as popular as Suwon Hwaseong itself, bringing vitality to the alleys. Haenggung-dong alleys vary by theme including mural village, workshop street, Suwon chicken street, and Jidong market. The mural village is divided into six themed alleyways: Happiness Road, Loving Road, Eye Route, First Morning Road, Romance Road, and Backward Road. Photo zones are set up in front of murals, and various sculptures and paintings fill the walls, roofs, and fences. There are many charming workshops and cafes; gallery cafes use their proceeds to support creators. It is an excellent place to visit as a date course centered on Suwon Hwaseong. ◎ K-pop wave travel info - The drama filmed School Route scenes of Sol-i and Seonjae in Haenggung-dong Mural Village. The scene where Seonjae is flustered by Sol-i’s energetic wall bounce was shot here. Walking along the low stone wall path with murals, one can almost picture the friendly couple Solseon walking to school.
Hwaseo Park is located around the fortress walls connecting Suwon Hwaseomun to the Paldal Mountain trail. It features walking paths and a Hwaseong train route, allowing for both strolls and sightseeing. The wide lawn and dense pine forest create a charming landscape. Below the fortress walls, a silver grass forest enhances the autumn atmosphere. This place is considered the most beautiful spot for autumn scenery in Suwon Hwaseong. Around the Seobukgakru Pavilion, silver grass taller than an adult stands in a spectacular view. In autumn, it is popular as a photography spot and outing location. The silver grass sparkling in the sunlight is impressive. It is a seasonal attraction loved by both tourists and locals. Especially between October and November, you can enjoy the peak of the silver grass.
