Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
825 Jeongjo-ro, Suwon, South Korea
Behind a large gate and freshly painted walls lies Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, once a temporary palace in Suwon for Korea’s royal family. Little of the original 18th-century palace is left, except for a single hall, but this careful modern reconstruction within Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress shows off the designs and lifestyles of the period.
The basics
The palace is a central attraction within the Suwon Fortress and is a common stop on day tours from Seoul and city tours. Whether visiting with a tour or on your own, expect to spend between 30 minutes and an hour at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace unless there is a martial arts performance, which will likely add another 30 minutes. After visiting the palace, continue exploring the walls of the Hwaseong Fortress or head down Haenggung Street to see the Paldalmun Gate.
Things to know before you go
Small ramps provide wheelchair access through the many gates in the palace complex, but most palace halls are only accessible by small staircases.
There is no set path through the complex, and only some of the buildings have their own information boards.
Haenggung Street, which leads from the palace, is home to various restaurants and cafes.
There is a parking lot on the south side of the palace.
How to get there
With its location very close to the center of Suwon’s historical district, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is an easy place to reach. You can walk there from most areas within the fortress walls in 10 minutes. Alternatively, many city buses run through the intersection in front of the palace, with the nearest bus stops at the Paldal-gu Office and Hwaseong Haenggung stops.
When to get there
Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is open daily from morning until early evening. Aside from the occasional school group during the week, the palace is most busy over the weekend, as martial arts performances are held in the mornings at the palace grounds. Much of the palace complex is outdoors, so visiting during winter may not be pleasant, but it will look pretty dusted with snow.
Learning about the palace’s history
The best way to understand the history and importance of the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is to go to the Suwon Hwaseong Museum. This small museum tells the story of Suwon’s connection to the royal family, the construction of the fortress and palace, and the royal feasts held there. Exhibits also show examples of palaces and fortresses from around the world.
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