Korean Folk Village & Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Private Tour
Description
A popular day trip out of Seoul, sprawling Suwon is the largest city in Gyeonggi-do province, with World Heritage–listed fortifications still looping around its heart. Suwon almost became the country's capital in the 18th century, when Joseon dynasty ruler King Jeongjo built the 5.7km-long walls in 1794–96 ahead of moving the royal court south. However, the king died, power remained in Seoul, and Suwon ended up with one hell of a tourist sight. The city is located around 30km south of Seoul.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal-san (143m), the fortification wall stretches a scenic 5.7km past four majestic gates, command posts, pavilions, observation towers and fire-beacon platforms. Built by King Jeongjo and completed in 1796, it was constructed of earth and faced with large stone blocks and grey bricks, nearly all of which have been restored.
This 245-acre themed experience is designed to transport you back to the Joseon dynasty as you wander through picturesque grounds filled with thatched and tiled buildings relocated here from around Korea. Performers wearing hanbok (traditional clothing) craft pots and handmake paper, while others tend to vegetable plots and livestock. Throughout the day there are shows by traditional musicians, dancers, acrobats and tightrope walkers, and you can watch a staged wedding ceremony.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-up and drop-off at most hotels in downtown [Myeongdong area]. Pick up at Incheon sea port [40 mins after the estimated arrival time of ship].
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(3)
Michelle was the best tour guide ever. She was very knowledgeable about the history of Korea and the area we were visiting. And she was very friendly and fun. We had a blast on this tour! So much fun!
Thank you for the review. Our guides are knowledgeable as well as friendly and fun! We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Korea! Jun, Dahae DMC Korea 😀
Nate was a great tour guide and host! He provided water and small snacks in his very comfortable and clean car. He grew up in the US, and moved to Korea for college, so had a unique perspective on the country. During the fortress part of the tour, he gave us the history, as well as some facts that really filled out the experience. We saw two of the gates, and walked along the ramparts. We then tried our hands at Korean traditional archery, which was fun! To finish the fortress portion of the tour, we went on a unique bus with semi-opaque LED screens for windows. We drove along the periphery of the fortress walls, and could see images of the building and plans, as well as further history on the screens. When there was something of interest to see, the screens would clear. From there we drove to the Korean Folk Village and started with lunch. Yummy! Then we saw the traditional dances in a parade, and had plenty of time to walk through the whole village, with Nate explaining what we were seeing. He took plenty of pictures for us, and made sure to tell us where to go to get the best views. We finished the tour with a dance performance in the theater, and a drive back to the hotel. It was a really special day!
Thank you very much for the review! Sacha & Matt were wonderful guests, eager and excited to learn and see what Korea has to offer. They even provided lunch for me, which I was very grateful for. At the folk village, they were kind and considerate to participate in an interview for a local news. It was a truly special day for me as well! - Nate
It’s always difficult to find things that your teens will enjoy, but this trip was a great balance of history, culture and fun. Ben was a fantastic guide and we thoroughly enjoyed learning more about South Korea!
Thank you for your review! We are glad you and your family enjoyed the trip. We here at Dahae Creative always continue to develop tours that visitors can enjoy while learning more about South Korea. So if you ever have the opportunity to visit South Korea again, please book with us again!
