Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon, was built by King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon dynasty, when he moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado, to Hwasan Mountain in Suwon. Because of its high historical and cultural value, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In 2016, the Hwaseong Fortress area, ranging from Paldalsan Mountain to Jangan Park, Yeonmudae Command Post, and Paldalmun Market, was designated as a special tourist zone, establishing itself as a representative tourist destination in Suwon visited by many tourists.
Suwon Workshop Street stretches from the plaza of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace to the Nammun Rodeo Youth Culture Performance Hall near Paldalmun Gate. The street is lined with workshops where artists display and sell their handmade crafts. Visitors can engage in various craft experiences, including woodcraft, hanji (traditional Korean paper) craft, ribbon craft, sewing, and metalworking, while also shopping for unique handmade items. In addition to the workshops, the street features Haenggung Sarangchae, a cozy spot for travelers to unwind, the Museum of Memories, and several charming cafés.
Suwon Chicken Street, located in a small 100 m-long alley on Paldal-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, is where about 11 stores, ranging from the original store that opened in 1970 to new ones, serve fried whole chicken. It is the tradition of Suwon Chicken Street to pour oil into a large cauldron and fry chicken. The menu only consists of fried chicken and seasoned fried chicken, but they are gaining popularity for their savory taste, different from those of famous chicken brands. In Suwon Chicken Street, you can meet the granny of “Maehyang Tongdak,” who has been selling fried chicken in Suwon Chicken Street since the 1970s using the chicken she raised in a chicken coop on a stall, as well as the famous “Yongseong Tongdak" and “Jinmi Tongdak" in this alley. The chicken price is low, so you don't have to worry about it. Thanks to plentiful servings and unique taste, the shops on this street are crowded with customers from all over the country, including students, who come having heard of the place by word of mouth.
Hyowon’s Bell is located at the summit of Paldalsan Mountain. The bell was created to honor the filial devotion of King Jeongjo towards his father, Crown Prince Sado. The bell has various symbols representing the city of Suwon and its cultural assets. The bell is always rung three times- the first ring is in gratitude for the love of one’s parents, the second to hope for happiness in one’s family, and the third as a prayer for self-improvement.
A haenggung is a temporary palace where the king and royal family retreated to during a war. Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is the largest one of these, used by the Joseon kings since the time of King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800). In addition to being used as a shelter during war, King Jeongjo also stayed here during trips to worship at his father's tomb. The palace was the location of a splendid feast held on the 60th birthday of his mother, Hyegyeonggung Hong, and many other events, including award certificates for successful candidates of special national exams. These days, the palace serves as a venue for many traditional cultural performances and activities.
A friendly alley with Kuk Yeonsoo’s house
Jidong Mural Village is a neighborhood with many winding alleys where Kuk Yeonsoo lived. Murals with seven themes are painted on the 6km-long road, so just walking along the pictures is as fun as a treasure hunt. As you walk, you will see a familiar green gate next to Jidong Supermarket, which is the house of Kuk Yeonsoo in the drama. As rainbow murals often appeared on the opposite side in the drama, there are many fans who take proof shots here.
