Locating just half an hour away from Seoul, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress offers a unique cultural experience in South Korea. Constructed from 1794 to 1896, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was designed by a leading scholar with careful planning, incorporating the best examples from Europe and East Asia. The fortress wall stretches 5.7 km long with 4 gates, a main stream in Suwon flowing through the center, firearm bastions, artillery towers, flood gates, observation towers, and command posts.
Today, there is a main road going through the north and south gate and the stream is still running. The fortress was designated as Historical Monument in 1963 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Paldalmun is the south gate of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, also the starting point of the fortress hike if you come from Suwon Station. 八達門是水原華城的南門，如果你從水源站來就在這裏下車，開始水原華城之旅。If you are ready for a hiking challenge, you can take the south-west trail up. There’s a ticket booth on the right. 如果你有心理準備行山，可以從四南面城牆上山。右邊是售票處。The fortress viewing fee is KRW 1,000. This sticker is the “ticket” that gets you to walk around the fortress without being stopped for another payment. There are 7 ticket booths around the fortress near the major view points. 走在城牆是要收費的，1,000 韓元，這貼紙是「通行票」，最好貼在不容易脫掉的當眼位置，掉了要再買票。城牆範圍很大，在主要的觀景位置都有售票處。The south-west side wall is the steepest part, hence the toughest walk to start. 四南面的城牆建於是最斜的山坡上，也是最難的一部分。The trail is beautiful but it’s a real hike. Be well prepared for this section of walk. 步道很美，到處都綠油油，但真的很斜，沒有波鞋裝備最好不要走。The Seoporu (Western Sentry Post). 西舖樓，即是西邊哨兵崗亭。Ever thought about experiencing striking the bell of Hyowon? You may pay KRW 1,000 for a round of 3 tolling (1-2 person). 有沒有想過可以體驗敲鐘，在八達山頂孝園這裏就可以付費敲鐘，只需付1000韓元，就可以1-2人敲3下。This is the top of Mt Paldal which is the view point of Suwon. 到這裏就到達八達山頂最高位，可以遠眺水原市全貌。The panoramic view of Hwaseong city. 從山頂可以看到水原華城內全貌。This is Seojangdae (west command post) where King Jeongjo commanded military training. 八達山頂的華城西江台是朝鮮正祖在這裏親自指揮軍隊練習的地方。Standing at the top next to the Command Post was Nodae (Crossbow platform) where catapults were launched. 西弩台是八角形的防禦設施，可以發射連弓，位於八達山頂西將台旁邊，也是從高位攻擊防禦的位置。There is a stairwell going down till to the Palace and the main area where the restaurants and shops are. 從這裡可以選擇從這條樓梯下山，到行宮或中心地方的餐廳和商店街。There are trees everywhere, very nice. 下山路到處都有樹木，非常好走。If you choose not to take a tough hike up the Mount Paldal, you may simply follow the main stream of Suwon (Suwoncheon) to go the Palace or the North Gate (Janganmun). 假如你不想走山路，也可以從八達門沿水原川直走到華城行宮或北邊的長安門。Hwahongmun Gate is the flood gate featuring 7 arches. This is also where Suwoncheong Stream goes though. 華虹門是水門，有7個拱形排水口，水原川就是貫穿這裏。Janganmun is the north gate of Hwaseong Fortress. It is a two-storey building featuring an outer curved brick wall to enhance protection. Spears, guns and arrows could be launched from the upper level. 長安門是北門，是兩層的建築，門外有用半月形的瓮城，以加強防守，城牆上有小窗，可以發射弓箭、長矛、開火。Dongbukgaknu (Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion) is my favorite area of the whole fortress. 東北角樓（訪花隨柳亭）是整個華城我最喜歡的地方。The pavilion offers a nice shades, fresh breeze and a fantastic view of a lotus pond and a mountain view. 在「訪花隨柳亭」上可以享受涼風及美景，面對蓮花湖及山城，風和日麗坐在亭中乘涼，實在太舒適了！Of course I would not miss taking picture in this beautiful area! 當然我不會錯過在美景前拍照留念啦！You may choose to walk outside the fortress wall which is also nice. But it’s right next the roadside. 你可以選擇在城牆外走，但會是在車路旁邊，要小心。There is an extended area outside the fortress wall that is also designated as protected area. So it’s all green around the wall! 城牆外也有保護區，種滿草地和樹木，完好的城牆被翠綠包圍，保育工作做得非常好。Dongjangdae Command Post is not enclosed and not sure if it’s open for public. 東將台是有圍牆圍著，不知道是否對外開放。The east command post was where the military training was held. There’s also an archery field where tourists can experience traditional Korean archery. 10 shots cost KRW 2,000. 東將台設有練武台，這裏也有一片大草地提供「國弓體驗」，2,000韓元可射10發。Changyongmun Gate is the east gate of the fortress. 蒼龍門是東門。Walking almost the whole 5.7 km long fortress wall, I saw only 1 cannon on display. 我差不多走完 5.7 公里城牆，終於看到一台大炮。Bongdon Beacon Mound. 烽火臺。I really enjoyed the walk through Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. It’s a unique UNESCO World Heritage in many ways: very clean, well maintained, no trash any where, no crowds, and there are still people living in and outside the fortress wall! 我很喜歡水原華城這個地方。這裏真的很獨特，城牆維護的很好，差不多全城走完都不看不見什麼垃圾；又寧靜，遊客少是原因之一，當地人也很珍惜這個歷史古蹟，而且這裏到現在為止都是一個活的城市，有人住在城內和城外。Dongporu Firearms Bastion. 東炮樓。After you walk pass the Beacon Mound, this is about the last section of the south east wall. There is still restoration in the last section so you will have to walk down and get back to Paldalmun. 過了烽煙台後不久就差不多回到八達門，但有少部份城牆仍在維修，路不通，要下山坡回到八達門。
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