Suwon South Korea 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring the Historical City of Suwon

Morning:

  • Breakfast: Start your day with a traditional Korean breakfast at Gwangjang Market (광장시장). Try popular dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and ppoppuri (Korean pancake).
  • Hohwa Traditional Korean House (호화한옥가): After breakfast, head to this traditional Korean house located in the Paldalsan area. Here you can learn about Korean culture, try on traditional Hanbok, and enjoy a cup of tea.

Mid-Morning:

  • Hwaseong Fortress: Continue to the famous Hwaseong Fortress (화성), a UNESCO World Heritage site built by King Jeonjo in 1796. Explore the fortress, walk along the walls, and visit the Haenggung Palace within the fortress.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants near Hwaseong Fortress. Try Bibimbap (mixed rice) or Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles).

Afternoon:

  • Suwon Museum (수원박물관): Learn about Suwon’s history and culture at this museum, which houses artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty.
  • Paldalsan Traditional Market: For a more in-depth look into traditional Korean life, visit Paldalsan Traditional Market. Here you can find various goods like textiles, housewares, and food.

Dinner: Try some barbecue at Suwon Chonji Galbi (수원 촌지갈비). Don’t forget to order the signature dish - marinated beef short ribs!

Evening:

  • Namsan Recreation Forest: Take a leisurely walk in this beautiful forest. The best view of Suwon is from the Namsan Ogeum Observatory.
  • Suwon Hwaseong Prison Museum (수원화성감옥박물관): Visit this unique museum that was once a prison but now serves as a historical site.

Day 2: Modern Suwon and Surrounding Areas

Morning:

  • Breakfast: Start your day with breakfast at Lotteria (로터리아) or a local bakery for a quick bite.
  • Sosaewon Confucian School (소사관): Visit this well-preserved Confucian school and learn about Confucianism’s influence in Korea.

Lunch: Enjoy a meal at Dalgon Market (달걀시장), which offers various street food options like twigim (fried snacks) and jeon (Korean pancake).

Afternoon:

  • Suwon World Cup Stadium: If you’re a football fan, visit this stadium where the South Korean national team plays some of their home games.
  • Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village (송월동 어린이의 소설마을): This themed village is based on popular Korean fairy tales and offers a fun and unique experience, especially for families with children.

Dinner: Try some Sushi at Sushi Ryu (수시류), which offers all-you-can-eat sushi options.

Things to Note:

  • Transportation: Suwon is well-connected by public transportation, with the KTX and subway being the most convenient ways to travel within the city and to other major cities in South Korea.
  • Shopping: If you’re looking for souvenirs, head to Bundang Premium Outlets (분당프리뮤럼아웃레트스) for brand discounts or Gwangjang Market for traditional Korean goods.
  • Language: While English is not widely spoken in Suwon, most people will understand basic English phrases and signs are often translated into English as well.
  • Cash and Credit Cards: Some small shops may only accept cash, so it’s a good idea to carry some local currency. Most restaurants and larger stores accept credit cards.
  • Etiquette: Remember to remove your shoes when entering traditional Korean houses or rooms with tatami mats. It’s also customary to tip in restaurants, but it is not expected at markets or small shops.