Bongnyeongsa Temple is a branch temple of Yongjusa, the head temple of the 2nd district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located at the foot of Gwanggyosan Mountain in Wumandong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si. As the oldest temple in Suwon, Bongnyeongsa houses a stone triad Buddha from the Goryeo period and an approximately 800-year-old juniper tree in front of the Daeungjeon Hall, both bearing witness to the temple’s history. It was founded in 1208 by Won-gak Guksa and originally called Seongchangsar, renamed Bongdeoksa around 1400, and then rebuilt and renamed Bongnyeongsa in 1469 during King Yejong’s first year of Joseon by Monk Hye-gak Guksa. Hye-gak was honored as a teacher by King Sejo and made significant contributions to the translation of Buddhist scriptures. A new era began at Bongnyeongsa in 1971 when Nun Myojeon was appointed head monk; the temple expanded by constructing a meditation hall and a training center, and opened the latter in the same year. In 1975, Nun Myoeom established a monastic academy, serving as head and academic dean from 1979 when it was renamed the Buddhist Nun’s College. Currently, the temple is a training center for nuns with a meditation hall, lecture hall, and monastic discipline center, dedicated to cultivating Buddha nature and serving as a foundation of Korean Buddhism in harmony with its location at Gwanggyosan Mountain.
Mulbongsun Children's Park operates as a water play area in the summer. The facilities are low and the water is shallow, making it suitable for children to play in the water. Convenience facilities such as benches and exercise equipment are provided near the water play area. The water play area runs for 45 minutes followed by a 15-minute break. Lifeguards are stationed for safety, and children under 5 years old must be accompanied by a guardian for facility safety. Additionally, to ensure the safety of young children, adolescents aged 12 and over are advised to refrain from using the facility. Outside shoes are not allowed, and wearing aqua shoes is recommended.
Gwanggyo Central Park is located in Gwanggyo New City, Suwon Special City, where nature and the urban environment coexist harmoniously. It features a forest experience center tailored for young children, making it an ideal spot for family visits. The park includes attractions that stimulate children's curiosity and adventurous spirit, such as a suspension bridge, a long slide, a zipline, and an Indian house, moving beyond a simple playground. Additionally, the park offers walking trails, exercise equipment, and a wide lawn for active use. It is a great place for family outings on weekends.
This is the tomb of Sim On (1375–1418), a civil minister during the reign of King Taejong of Joseon. His ancestral home is Cheongsong (청송), his courtesy name is Jungok (중옥), and his posthumous name is Wonyo (원효). He was the father-in-law of King Sejong and was ennobled as Cheongcheon Buwongun, eventually serving as Prime Minister. In 1418 (Sejong 1), while on a mission to the Ming dynasty, he was falsely accused of being involved in the Musul Ok-sa incident and was arrested in Uiju on the way back, dying in Suwon. Later proven innocent, he was posthumously reinstated in 1451 (Munjong 1). The tomb area is arranged in three stepped terraces centered around a boundary stone called gyeche-seok and preserves the original form of 15th-century tomb design. The tombstone in front of the mound, made in the bamboo case style, bears the posthumous name 'Anhyo,' indicating it was made after 1451. The epitaph is written in Songseol script, popular in that era, and is vigorous yet elegant. Through records in the 1928 publication Geunyeok Seohwa Jing, the calligraphy is attributed to Anpyeong Daegun (1418–1453), a master of Songseol script. The lantern has a three-tiered circular stone shape that appears somewhat unnatural but exhibits the large, open style characteristic of 15th-century design. The Munseok-in stone figure wears a bokdu on its head and official robes, with a grand scale and strong impression symbolizing tomb guardianship well. The tomb preserves the original form of early Joseon tombs, and the monument’s Songseol script and 15th-century artistry represent unique features of mortuary culture in the Gyeonggi region, making it a valuable cultural heritage site.
The Firefly Restroom is named to signify its cleanliness, like the fireflies that feed only on freshwater snails living in first-grade water. It is a premier restroom symbolizing the culture of Suwon. It was remodeled in 2016 to its current form. Suwon City has introduced the concept of 'culture-included restrooms' by constructing 16 beautiful restrooms combining architectural styles reflecting Suwon's cultural traditions and harmony with the natural environment. These restrooms also feature spaces for the disabled, women, and the elderly, which had been previously neglected, along with advanced sanitary facilities. Additionally, they provide a cultural space with fragrance, paintings, flowers, bookshelves, and sound systems that allow users to enjoy music, inspiring admiration. Among them, the Firefly Restroom stands out by broadcasting classical music, bird songs, and insect sounds, and offering users the unique experience of viewing the beautiful Gwanggyo Reservoir through glass windows while attending to their needs. Of course, the interior is invisible from outside.
Gwanggyo Maru-gil is a path selected as a beautiful spot for spring flowers, autumn foliage, and snow flowers. The walking trail is well maintained, making it ideal for leisurely strolls with family or couples. The spring course, from Gwanggyo Firefly to Gwanggyo Shelter, is 1.7 km and features cherry blossom, spiraea, and azalea, creating a pleasant walking environment. The autumn course stretches 3.6 km from Gwanggyo Park through Gwanggyo Maru-gil to the Gwanggyo riverside promenade, showcasing beautiful foliage such as cherry, maple, Chinese maple, plane tree, red tree, and oak. The winter course runs from Gwanggyo embankment to Gwanggyo Maru-gil, located around Hagwanggyo-dong 400-10, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si. The snow-covered Gwanggyosan Mountain is one of the eight scenic views of Suwon, where snow flowers create a spectacular scene around Sabaeng Dam and the riverside promenade in winter.
