Suwon

South Korea

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Hwaseong fortress in Suwon

Hwaseong fortress in Suwon

Overview

A popular day trip out of Seoul, sprawling Suwon (수원) is the largest city in Gyeonggi-do province, with World Heritage–listed fortifications still looping around its heart. Suwon almost became the country's capital in the 18th century, when Joseon dynasty ruler King Jeongjo built the 3.5-mile-long walls (5.7km) in 1794–96 ahead of moving the royal court south. However, the king died, power remained in Seoul, and Suwon ended up with one hell of a tourist sight. The city is located around 18.5 miles (30km) south of Seoul.

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South Korea: Seoul, Jeju-do, and Busan in 13 Days

highlights

  1. 1Touring Korea’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the border of North and South Korea
  2. 2Learning how to cook South Korean staples, from bulgogi to bibimbap, during a chef-led workshop
  3. 3Visiting Gyeongju’s ancient temples and royal tombs on a day trip from Busan
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