When the weather gets nice, don’t you just want to go somewhere on a whim? There’s a perfect place for that. It’s Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung and Haengridan-gil, a place where the quiet breath of history coexists with a trendy vibe.
Grab your camera and let me introduce the charm of this great getaway spot with some photos!
1. Embracing the Grandeur of Joseon: Hwaseong Haenggung and the Fortress Wall 🏯
The first place your feet will touch is ‘Sinpungnu (新豊樓)’, the main gate of Hwaseong Haenggung.
Looking at the imposing red pillars and the large Taegeuk pattern under the blue sky, you’ll feel as if you’ve time-slipped back to the Joseon Dynasty.
Walking along the walls surrounding the palace, the green pine trees harmonizing with the mountain in the background will bring a deep sense of peace to your mind.
After exploring the palace, take a walk along the Fortress Wall (Seonggwak-gil). The sight of people enjoying a leisurely stroll against the backdrop of an open lawn and magnificent fortress structures is an essential healing point you can’t miss here.
2. Where Retro Meets Hip: A Trip to Haenggung-dong Alleys ☕📸
The true charm of Hwaseong Haenggung shines even brighter when you step outside the palace and enter the surrounding alleyways. Recently loved and called ‘Haengridan-gil’, this place is a brilliant mix of the old and the new.
- Vintage Traces of Time: Old tile buildings and faded signboards like ‘Juhyeon Supermarket’ and ‘Dongbu Real Estate’ become excellent vintage photo zones in themselves. The heavy retro vibe they emit without being overly decorated is incredibly appealing.
- Hidden Stories in the Alleys: As you roam every corner of the alleys, you’ll encounter a rusty, peeling mailbox and welcome old address plates. These details containing someone’s precious daily life complete the warm sensibility unique to Haenggung-dong.
- Trendy Vibe Shops: You can’t miss the fun of discovering trendy spots, like this pretty store with a pink exterior nestled between the old alleyways.
- Art Seeping with a Pioneer’s Breath: The cute drawings on the walls with the phrase “A trace of an artist!” serve as a small gallery that pleases your eyes throughout your walk. Haenggung-dong holds special significance as the birthplace and childhood home of **Na Hye-seok**, Korea’s first female Western-style painter and novelist. Knowing that her fiery artistic passion and pioneering life story are woven into these murals makes the art on the walls feel even more special.
3. A Painting at Sunset, The Fortress Silhouette ✨
For the end of your walk, I highly recommend the late afternoon when the sun slowly sets.
The flags fluttering along the fortress wall and the antique pavilion catch the backlight to create black silhouettes, looking just like a painting. It offers an overwhelming and dramatic beauty that is completely different from the daytime, so absolutely do not miss taking photos during this time.
💡 Tips for Your Visit
- Comfortable Shoes are a Must! : To roam around the fortress walls and every corner of the alleys, comfortable walking shoes are the best.
- Bring Plenty of Camera Battery: From grand traditional architecture to retro-style alleys and sunset silhouettes, there will be so many moments you’ll want to press the shutter.
How about a stroll to Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung this weekend, a neighborhood where the elegance of the past and the simple sensibility of the present walk hand in hand?
Leave a Reply