Suwon Day Trip Itinerary: Walls, Palace, and Fried Chicken

Looking for a day trip near Seoul that’s not packed with other tourists? For that, Nami Island may not have your back, but Suwon does!

After 20 years of repeated visits to Seoul, I finally got a full day to spend here, and it was perfect. While one day doesn’t sound like enough time to cover the biggest sights, it surprisingly is.

I got to visit the Temporary Palace (Haenggung), hiked the entire fortress, ate amazing fried chicken, and chilled at a super cute Hanok cafe. Even with all those stops, I still had enough time to really appreciate the history and depth of each place.

This itinerary I’m sharing with you follows exactly what I did that day, so the timing of everything has been tested, and it works. It’s not rushed and the day doesn’t feel too empty.

Unlike visiting Incheon or Gapyeong, you won’t ever feel like you’re crushed into a tuna can with other foreign tourists here in Suwon. So take this day as a chance to rest and breathe a little bit!

The Historical Significance of Suwon

Due to its strategic location just south of Seoul, Suwon has mostly been recognized as a military base throughout the eras.

King Jeongjo’s Hwaseong Fortress

King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of Joseon, had a grand vision for the country.

He planned to make Suwon the new capital city centered around a fortress, hoping to relocate the royal power and administrative seat there. That’s right… Suwon ALMOST became the capital of Korea!

Although the king passed away before he got to move the capital, the UNESCO Heritage Hwaseong Fortress that he had envisioned was successfully built. You will see it on this day!

The Suwon Airbase During the Korean War

In the months leading up to the Korean War in 1950, Suwon was home to an airbase that hosted foreign forces, from Greek to American.

It changed hands a total of four times during the war, with the North and the South fiercely fighting to gain the strategic city.

Flash forward to 2025, and Suwon has become a popular weekend hangout for the locals and introverted travelers. You’ll always see more Koreans than foreigners here, except maybe at the touristy Starfield Library.

How to Get to Suwon from Seoul

Your journey is divided into two parts: getting from Seoul to Suwon Station, and getting from Suwon Station to the main old town area for our first stop.

Option 1: Metro Line 1 or Suin Bundang Line

The metro ride from the center of Seoul to Suwon takes 1.5 hours. While not the fastest, it’s the most convenient and requires the least planning.

From whichever station in Seoul, get yourself onto line 1 (dark blue on the map) or Suinbundang (yellow). Kakao Metro comes in handy for this route planning.

Get off at Suwon Station and use exit 7. You’ll see the central bus stop right in front of you.

Option 2: ITX or KTX Trains

You could also take a half-hour ride on the high-speed ITX or KTX from Yongsan Station.

I don’t recommend these trains unless you have a hundred things to do in Suwon and you’re not coming back to Korea for the rest of your life.

Instead of paying 1-2 dollars for the journey, you’re paying over US$12 one way. But if you have to, book tickets in advance to guarantee a seat for yourself.

Once you exit Suwon Station, you should see bus stops everywhere.

Getting From Suwon Station to the Old Town

From the main bus stop across the street from the KTX station, and right next to the metro exit 7, there are a few buses you can take. I recommend 60, 66, 66-4, or 400-A.

Get off at “Hwaseong Haenggung (화성행궁)“

The ride costs 1,450 KRW each way, so either have your T-Money card or cash ready.

Suwon Day Trip Itinerary: My Personal Experience

Below is exactly how I spent my full day in Suwon. I tend to linger in historical places, like the palace and the fortress, so I couldn’t fit any other places into the plan.

Granted, I hiked the entire fortress and that took about three hours. If you only need to see a small section of it, then you’ll end up having more time to do other things.

I recommend adding the Suwon Workshop Street or the Paldalmun Traditional Market to your plan if you feel like you’ll have that extra time.

First Optional Stop: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Museum

For the fellow extreme history nerds who can’t stand visiting a place without visiting its museum first, you can do an optional stop at the Hwaseong Fortress Museum.

It’s only a 5-minute walk east of the Temporary Palace.

I tried to go as well, but alas, the museum was closed under some minor renovation. If you end up going, don’t forget to come and tell me how it is inside!

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
• Admission Fee: 2,000 KRW
• Location: 21 Changnyong-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Morning: Explore Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (화성행궁)

Built by King Jeongjo, this was the first of his political moves to shift the power from Seoul. He also would stay at this Temporary Palace whenever he visited his father’s grave.

You’d be surprised at how quiet it is inside the palace, compared to Seoul’s palaces, which are constantly overrun with tourists.

Go deeply enough inside, and you’ll also find the kitchen where Dae Jang Geum was filmed.

I recommend entering the palace at 9 to leave by 11, so you can watch the Royal Guards’ Weapon Show at the front gate. I’m sharing a short video so you can watch, too.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Admission Fee: 2,000 KRW
• Address: 825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Lunch on the Suwon Chicken Street

The Suwon Chicken Street is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an entire street lined with Korean fried chicken restaurants, and you’re free to choose which of them you wanna have lunch at.

I had mine at Daebong Chicken, and it was divine. However, I’ve heard amazing things about the old Yong Sung Chicken just across the street.

• Chicken Street Location: 158-2 Namsu-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Afternoon: Hike Along Hwaseong Fortress Wall

Did you think the fried chicken was the highlight? No, it was delicious, but we’re history nerds before we’re foodies.

Here comes the highlight of your Suwon day trip, the UNESCO Heritage Hwaseong Fortress.

Running nearly 6 kilometers around the old town, this ain’t your ordinary city wall.

It’s equipped with multiple bastions, artillery posts, secret gates, watchtowers, and beacon mounds. King Jeongjo pulled out all his stops to build this military genius, and it shows.

The entire trail should take you no longer than 3 hours, 4 if you stop to take photos of every flower bush you see on the way.

I recommend starting at Hwaseomun Gate and going up Paldalsan first. That way, you can relax after a difficult climb.

• Open 24 Hours
• Admission: FREE
• Recommended Starting Point: 334 Jangan-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Suwon Hwaseong Trail Map

Below is the trail map I created of all the highlights along the trail. You can find the full historical context behind each element in my full guide to the trail.

Late Afternoon: Traditional Café Break

I accidentally found Gyeong-Andang on my way down from the Fortress trail, thanks to my natural tendency to avoid crowds.

It’s a gorgeous Hanok cafe hidden behind the main buildings. You won’t find it unless you choose to walk in the small alleyway parallel to a main street.

It operates like any of the chic cafes in Seoul you’ve been to. Pick a seat first, then order at the cashier. I highly recommend their Chrysanthemum Tea for those who love traditional things.

• Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
• Location: Gyeonggi-do, Suwon-si, Jangan-dong, Hwaseomun-ro 31beon-gil, 8-15 KR
• Must-Try: Traditional Chrysanthemum Tea

Back to Seoul: Ending the Day Trip

Getting back to Seoul should be easy after you’ve tackled the local transportation in the morning.

Wait for the same buses (60, 66, 66-4, or 400-A) at the Janganmun Gate and Suwon Traditional Culture Center stop.

You can use the Haenggung bus stop where you got off in the morning, but it’s a bit further from you if you’re coming from the tea house.

Just like in the morning, the bus ride back to Suwon Station will cost 1,450 KRW. Have your T-Money card or cash ready.

A Slightly Trendier Version of a Day in Suwon

While I encourage people to visit cultural and historical sites, I understand that not everyone can be as nerdy as I am. Hah.

Here’s a slightly trendier day trip that includes the new Suwon Starfield Library too. It swaps out the Temporary Palace for Waujeongsa Temple, which is further out of the city and harder to reach on your own.

Browse the rest of my South Korea guides for more ideas from Seoul!

Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea

Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Papago AI Translator, Naver Maps, Kakao Metro

Read up on how to get from Incheon into the city, so you don’t run into surprises.

Don’t forget to learn some important dos and don’ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Find a Place to Stay in Seoul

Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below! Feel free to refer to my guide on Seoul neighborhoods and figure out which area suits your needs best!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

FAQs About Spending a Day in Suwon

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