This is our first time self-drive in Korea, Seoul is definitely not the city to self-drive. So our first destination is Suwon, about 30 kilometers south of Seoul. And about one hour drive from the Incheon Airport.
Suwon city
Suwon is located in the Gyeonggi Province with a population of over 1 million, it is the largest city in the province and the 7th largest in the country. Suwon is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hwaseong Fortress, which was built in the late 18th century and served as a strategic military base during the Joseon Dynasty.
Hwaseong Fortress
Today, Hwaseong Fortress is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the fortress and its structures, as well as enjoy the beautiful views of Suwon from its walls. There are also cultural events and performances held at the fortress throughout the year, including traditional Korean music and dance performances.
We reached Suwon at around 11 in the morning, have the Korean cold noodles and kimchi dumpling which are so yummy, and then started to explore the places in Suwon.
Suwon cold noodles, also known as Suwon naengmyeon, is a traditional Korean dish that originated in Suwon, a city located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is a type of cold noodle dish that is typically served in a chilled broth made with beef or dongchimi (water radish kimchi) and topped with sliced beef, pear, cucumber, and boiled egg.
The noodles used in Suwon cold noodles are made from buckwheat and potato starch, which gives them a unique texture and chewiness. The dish is often served with spicy mustard sauce and vinegar to add flavor and tanginess to the broth.
Suwon cold noodles are a popular dish in Korea, especially during the hot summer months, as the cold broth and noodles provide a refreshing and cooling effect. They are often enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish with other Korean dishes.
There are a number of things to do in Suwon besides visiting Hwaseong fortress. Such as Suwon’s traditional market which offers a glimpse into daily life in Suwon.
Paldalmun Gate
Paldalmun Gate is one of the four main gates of the Hwaseong Fortress and is the most iconic landmark of Suwon. Visitors can walk through the gate and learn about its history and significance.
Haenggung Palace
This is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the palace grounds, admire its architecture and gardens, and learn about its fascinating history.
The palace offers a glimpse into the life of the royal family. The structure itself is relatively simple but wandering around the maze-like complex provides a lot of photos opportunity.
Korean Beef BBQ in Suwon
We had Korean beef BBQ in Suwon city and it was a steal, 1kg of beef only cost 50,000 won (about SGD 50) including kimchi dishes. In Japan when we dine in BBQ beef, you have to pay for the kimchi dishes, over here in Korea, Kimchi dishes are included in the Korean BBQ beef.
We also have some dessert after our dinner, it was a yogurt cheesecake dessert, which cost about SGD10 but was super yummy.
Where we stay? Symphony Hotel
Symphony Hotel is nicely located near the marketplace where it is easy to get food. Only 5 mins away walking to the town center to access to a lot of restaurants.
The hotel is clean and it also provides free parking. Breakfast is also included but not a lot of variety. However, the taste is good for us, considering the price for the hotel inclusive of breakfast is very affordable.
Final thoughts:
If you have extra time, do visit Dong Ji Market, known for its wide variety of fresh produce, traditional Korean snacks, and other local goods.
How many days should you explore Suwon, 2 days 1 night is good but for us, we are rushing to Buyeo the following morning so we don’t have much time to explore more of Suwon.
Symphony Hotel offers a great deal if you are looking for a decent place to stay, clean neat, and comes with a free car park in the basement. Breakfast was included as well.
