Suwon

Understand

The Gwanggyo Mountains, the developmental part of the Gwangju Mountains, pass through, and high and low hills appear here and there. The terrain generally slopes gently from northeast to southwest. Despite its population exceeding one million since 2002, Suwon had been subject to the same administrative regulations as other local districts, facing difficulties in providing various services. Therefore, it has been granted the status of Suwon special case city, enabling it to enjoy a broader range of services.

Climate Suwon's continental climate is very similar to that of other cities in the Seoul area like Ansan. The climate of Suwon is classified as a cold-temperate continental climate (Dwa). This classification takes into account the period during the winter season when temperatures can drop below minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Tourist information Sueon tourism website (수원관광).

Getting there

For visitors to Seoul, Suwon can be treated like another suburb.

By subway It is possible to travel from Incheon International Airport to Suwon solely using the Seoul Metro. First, take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to Seoul station. From Seoul Station, take the Line 1 (blue) south towards Cheonan and Sinchang Station. From the airport to Suwon should take a little over 2 hours. Make sure you are on the correct train, as the track later splits and travels on two lines: towards Incheon (west) and towards Cheonan/Sinchang (south). You can transfer to the correct train at Guro Station if you're not on the right one. Prior to Guro Station there is an announcement about transferring from one line to the other. Travel time to the center of Suwon (Suwon Station) from Seoul Station takes about an hour on Line 1. The following are the Line 1 subway stations in Suwon. People living in Incheon, Ansan, Yongin, etc. can also take a Suin-Bundang Line.

1 Sungkyunkwan Univ. (성균관대). Sungkyunkwan Univ. is the first subway station of Suwon coming from the direction of Seoul or Incheon. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Hwaseo (화서). Hwaseo Station is located between Sungkyunkwan Univ. and Suwon Stations. (updated Jul 2023) 3 Suwon (수원). The main station in Suwon. It is one of the biggest stations of Korea. (updated Jul 2023) 4 Seryu (세류). Seryu Staion is the next station after Suwon Station, and the last subway station in the city. (updated Jul 2023) 5 Gosaek (고색). Gosaek Station serves the Gosaek area and connects to various residential neighborhoods. (updated Dec 2024) 6 Maegyo (매교). Maegyo Station provides access to Suwon Stream and nearby residential areas. (updated Dec 2024) 7 Suwon City Hall (수원시청). Suwon City Hall Station is located in the central area of Suwon and connects to key administrative buildings. (updated Dec 2024) 8 Maetan-Gwonseon (매탄권선). Maetan-Gwonseon Station is located near the Maetan and Gwonseon neighborhoods in Suwon. (updated Dec 2024) 9 Mangpo (망포). Mangpo Station connects to Mangpo New Town and nearby commercial districts. (updated Dec 2024) 10 Yeongtong (영통). Yeongtong Station is located in the heart of Yeongtong-gu, a vibrant area with shops and residential complexes. (updated Dec 2024)

By train The commuter trains from Seoul station to Suwon are much faster than the subway (30 – 35 min), but they run less frequently.

KTX: It operates 5 times a day and takes 35 min. It costs about ₩8,400. The first train is at 08:11 and the last train is at 19:47. Mugunghwa-ho (무궁화호): It operates 10 times a day and takes 30 – 40 min. It costs about ₩2,700. Mo

Getting around

By bus The bus system in Suwon is reliable and cheap. Most major stops have a list of available bus lines with route information. Green buses typically run inside the city, and larger blue and red buses take passengers to Seoul and neighboring cities. Most major stops and points of interest are listed in English. English announcements on the bus are only for stops of tourist interest. Suwon Station is not the terminus for the bus lines, so make sure you are traveling in the correct direction.

Suwon also has a main intercity bus terminal, called the Suwon Intercity Bus Terminal, located about 2 km west of Suwon Station. From there, you can catch buses to cities like Daejeon, Incheon, Busan, and beyond. Local buses and taxis run frequently to the terminal. Inside, you'll find a small food court, a convenience store, and ticket booths. Most signs are in Korean, but staff usually understand basic English.

By taxi Taxis are prevalent in Suwon, and easy to use. Several offer free translation services. You should know a major feature near your destination as the taxi drivers may not know specific addresses or minor building names, however with a little patience and understanding you will find a taxi willing to get you near your destination. Some will even call English-speaking friends or relatives to help. Taxis are easily identified, mainly gray, white or black with lit signs on top and on the front windows. Black taxis are called "luxury" taxis, tend to be more comfortable and spacious, go slower, and cost more. The gray or white taxis tend to be faster and cheaper but may also drive more recklessly.

By subway There are four stops on Seoul Subway Line 1 (blue) that service Suwon. Suwon Station is the most central and largest, the second largest in the country, and also houses the train station proper, where you can catch a train to nearly anywhere else in South Korea. In addition to Line 1, there are also Suin-Bundang and Shin "New" Bundang Lines that serve Suwon. The Suin-Bundang Line connects to Yongin, Gangnam, Hwaseong, Ansan, Siheung, and Incheon, with the termini being Incheon Station and Cheongnyangni Station (most northbound trains end a stop earlier at Wangsimni Station). Finally, the Shin Bundang Line is a faster option connecting Gangnam and Yongin to the Gwanggyo area of Suwon (near Ajou University).

By bicycle Cycling in Suwon is easy as the sidewalks are wide, and many pavements are meant for both pedestrians and cyclists. There are only a few challenging hilly areas in Suwon and pedestrian traffic is not congestive in most areas.

See

1 Hwaseong Fortress (수원화성), 320-2, Yeonghwa-dong, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 31 290-3600. Mar-Oct: 09:00 - 18:00, Nov-Feb: 10:00-17:00. A stunning fortress constructed between 1794 and 1796 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features four main gates with the north and south (Janganmun and Paldalmun) being particularly impressive with their unique structures. In addition small sentry posts (Porus) and two command posts (Jangdaes) can be found dotted around the walls. The SeoJangdae outpost, found within the forested hills on the western side of the fortress, offers great panoramic views of the city below. Walking the circumference along the wall takes 2-3 hours or visitors can opt for the electric train option. 10-minute bus ride from the central subway station to the Paldalmun roundabout. Several bus lines go there, including 11, 13, 13-3, 36. Buses don't terminate at the Suwon station, so make sure you're on the correct traveling direction. Or, it's a 30-minute walk from Suwon station to Paldalmun Gate. ₩500 child, ₩700 concession, ₩1000 adult (cash). (updated Nov 2018) 2 Hwaseong Haenggung (화성행궁), 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31 290-3600. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. It was a temporary place where King Jeongjo stayed when he visited the tomb. It used to be used as a place where the vice-president or Yoo Soo used to work. It was built on the eastern foot of Paldalsan Mountain in 1789 (the 13th year of King Jeongjo's reign) after the construction of a new town in Suwon. It has 567 square cars, the largest size of Korean royal palaces. Japanese occupation, however, nangnamheon Japanese national culture and history of every facility excluding the extermination policy were destroyed. In the late 1980s, as a result of steady and active restoration campaigns by meaningful local citizens, the restoration project began in 1996, the 200th anniversary of Hwaseong Fortress, and the first stage of restoration was completed with 482 compartments and opened to the public in October 2003. In October 1789, King Jeongjo traveled to Hwaseong 13 times in 12 years until January 1800 (the 24th year of King Jeongjo's reign) after moving Hyeonreungwon, the tomb of his father's apostolic, and stayed there every time. It was designated as Gyeonggi-do Monument No. 65 and was elevated to a private level on June 8, 2007. Every Tuesday through Sunday, the 24-hour martial arts demonstration is held from 11:00 to 30 minutes. ₩1000 child, ₩2500 concession, ₩4000 adult(cash) ₩1500 concession, ₩2000 adult(Transportation card). (updated Oct 2019) 3 Paldalmun (팔달문), 780, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82

Do

1 Mount Gwanggyo (광교산). Mount Gwanggyo is in the north end of Suwon and offers an excellent of view of Suwon and the surrounding area. There are a number of peaks as well as a number of trails of varying difficulty. After a hike, try eating at one of the many farm restaurants at the base of the mountain. There are plenty of options for vegetarians here, and the tofu and dong-dong ju are as fresh as you can get it. 2 Traditional Korean Archery (수원화성 국궁체험장) (in the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress). from 09:30, every half hour; they don't operate during lunch break or when weather is not permitting (rain or snow). You can try your hand at Korean archery at the Yeonmudae outpost within Hwaseong Fortress. ₩2000/round (10 shots). (updated Jan 2018) 3 Suwon World Cup stadium (수원 월드컵 경기장), 310, World Cup-ro, Uman 1-dong, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82-31-202-2002. It is a soccer stadium built with for the 2002 FIFA World Cup (Co-hosted by Korea and Japan), and is now the home stadium for K League 1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings and FC Suwon. Big Bird was nicknamed the home team's nickname for the wing of Suwon and the large wing-shaped roof covering the east and west bleachers. There is also a supplementary stadium for the public, and reservations must be made by phone or internet. There are also attractions to see inside, such as a football museum. If you like football, you can visit here and feel the nostalgia of football. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Flying Suwon (플라잉수원), 697, Gyeongsu-daero, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82-31-247-1300. M-F 11:00-22:30, Sa Su 11:00-23:00. Unlike the observatory, you can enjoy the night view of Suwon, the largest city in Gyeonggi Province, on a hot-air balloon. You can experience a large hot air balloon here. 30 people can ride a hot air balloon, and they can go up to 150 m and see the Suwon city from the sky. If you are looking for an exotic experience, this is the place to go. There are many people between 15:00 and 17:00. Adults ₩20,000, middle and high school students ₩18,000, elementary school students ₩17,000, preschool children ₩14,000. (updated Dec 2019) 5 Probike (프로바이크), 206, Geumgok-ro, Gwonseon-gu, ☏ +82 31-296-8979. 10:00-20:00 (excluding months). A bicycle rental store. Bicycle roads such as Gwanggyo Lake Park and Manseok Park are well constructed in Suwon. The price varies depending on the type of bicycle and can be rented through an application called a bicycle. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Fishing Café in the Royal Pirate (해적왕실내낚시카페), 47, Hyowon-ro 307beon-gil, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-223-1123. M-F 14:00-01:00, Sa Su 11:00-02:00. There are many restrictions due to the na

Buy

There are many department store and shops in Suwon. Jewelry, clothing and accessories are available at department stores, and daily necessities are available at supermarkets. Also, there are traditional markets that have existed for a long time.

Department stores 1 Suwon premium outlet (수원 프리미엄아울렛), 64, Jungbu-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, ☏ +82 31-204-2006. Daily 11:00-21:30. Suwon premium outlet is a luxury outlet that offers fashion products at discounts of 50-80% throughout the year. It is only 5 minutes from the Suwon IC of Gyeongbu Expressway, and it is a family-run shopping outing with cultural facilities such as 500 parking spaces, a baby rest room, a state-of-the-art brain development playground, and is recommended by various media. (updated Oct 2019) 2 TimeVillas Suwon (타임빌라스 수원), 134, Sehwa-ro, Gwonseon-gu, ☏ +82 31-8067-4000. Daily 10:30-22:00. Lotte Department Store in Suwon is on the 1st to 7th floors of the basement. The exterior is a modern representation of the long castle of Suwon Hwaseong. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lotte Mall has a rooftop ecological park and eco-friendly facilities. There's also plenty of space to park. On May 30, 2024, the name was changed to "TimeVillas Suwon" by integrating Lotte Department Store's Suwon branch and Lotte Mall Suwon. (updated Sep 2025) 3 AK Plaza (Suwon station) (AK플라자), 42, Seryu-ro 61beon-gil, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-240-1000. Daily 10:30-20:00. It is a place where you can enjoy a lot of shopping, movies and dining out. Disadvantages include poor traffic, making it difficult to enter the parking lot when crowded, including weekends. (updated Oct 2019) 4 NC Department Store Suwon Terminal (NC백화점 수원터미널점), 43, Seji-ro 140beon-gil, Gwonseon-gu (in the Suwon terminal), ☏ +82 31-8065-3600. Daily 10:30-21:00. Unlike other department stores, they sell low-priced products. (updated Dec 2019) 5 Galleria Department Store Suwon Branch (갤러리아백화점 수원점), 282, Hyowon-ro, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-229-7114. Daily 10:30-20:00. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Starfield Suwon (스타필드 수원), 175 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 1833-9001. 10:00-22:00. Starfield is a department store owned by a company called Shinsegae. You can experience or purchase a variety of restaurants, activities, and clothes and accessories from a variety of luxury brands. (updated Sep 2024)

Supermarkets 7 Home Plus at North Suwon (홈플러스 북수원점), 930, Gyeongsu-daero, Jangan-gu,, ☏ +82 31-259-8000. Daily 10:00-00:00. (updated Dec 2019) 8 Home Plus at Suwon Youngtong (홈플러스수원영통점), 1576, Bongyeong-ro, Yeongtong-gu,, ☏ +82 31-201-8000. Daily 10:

Eat

The food court in the mall at the train/metro station is excellent and extensive. You can get a fantastic meal for ₩4,500 and select from many choices; there's a showcase displaying all your choices. Besides plentiful traditional Korean restaurants, there are many places which serve other cuisines and fast food. Suwon is famous for its Galbi (sweet marinated ribs). Restaurants near the Yeongtong Square (Sagori) serve Galbi. There's also an excellent Galbi restaurant right across the street from the World Cup Soccer stadium. Vegetarian restaurants are hard to find, but they do exist. Suwon is famous for Galbi. But it is famous to affected other foods (ex. chicken). In 2019, Extreme Occupation, the Korean movie, was opened. this movie watched by 16 million people in Korea. In this movie, very special food that called to 'Suwon Wang Galbi Chicken' appeared. it mixed Galbi sauce and fried chicken in Korea And Suwon is the place of origin. As the movie became famous, this food also became famous and it is resulted in Suwon' new Tourism.

1 Seonggwak (성곽) (passing through Janganmun Gate to the south, turn right (west) immediately; about 40 m on the left, look for a yellow building with a lot of trees). 11:00–21:00. A traditional, delightful little restaurant, owned and operated by a nice old couple. Everything is homemade. If you don't read Korean (there is no English, and no menu), then get a jeong-guk-jang, a dubu kimchi, and a Makkeoli (rice wine). ₩27,000 for two people. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Bon-Suwongalbi (본수원갈비), ☏ +82 31 211-8434. 11:30 - 21:00. This place is very popular place in Suwon. You can enjoy the Korean traditional food galbi. (updated Oct 2019) 3 Boyoungmandu (보영만두), 경기도 수원시 장안구 영화동 팔달로 271, ☏ +82 31 255-1085. 10:00-01:00. Noodle is the main menu and it tastes sweet and moderately spicy. The peculiarity is that some very cool tastes come from all sides. It feels like Chinese spices. Of course, it is a taste that anyone can enjoy casually. Parking is possible, but there is not enough space to park. Steamed mandu have a rich flavor and a good texture. (updated Oct 2019) 4 Dukkeobijib (두꺼비집), ☏ +82 31 242-4267. 09:30-21:00. Budaejjigae is the most famous in this restaurant. People visit here a lot for lunch. So there are times when you have to line up. (updated Oct 2019) 5 Daewangkalgugsu (대왕칼국수), 경기도 수원시 팔달구 북수동 311-14, ☏ +82 31 252-2820. 10:00-19:00. You can eat very cheap kalguksu at this restaurant. Not only it is affordable, but you can also eat plenty of delicious kalguksu. (updated Oct 2019) 6 Yongseongtongdalg (용성통닭), 경기도 수원시 팔달구 팔달로1가 정조

Drink & nightlife

Major nightlife seems to revolve around three areas: Ingyedong, Yeongtong, and Nammun (Paldamun). In Ingyedong, you will find an amazing number of hofs, bars, restaurants, hostess bars, etc. There's also several Korean nightclubs such as Juliana, Boss etc.

Byeolbam2 (별밤2), 61, Gyeongsu-daero 446beon-gil, Paldal-gu. Daily 19:30 - 06:00. Ingyedong is the second point of the night. There is a review that is more fun than the traditional star. (updated Nov 2019) 1 THURSDAYPARTY (썰스데이파티), 46, Hyowon-ro 265beon-gil, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-233-6621. (updated Nov 2019) club made (클럽 메이드), 60, Gyeongsu-daero 446beon-gil, Paldal-gu. F Sa 23:00-06:00. (updated Nov 2019) Nammun is big among the university students of Suwon. It has a fashion street and the majority of nightlife is centered on Rodeo Street which is behind the main street to the left of Nammun Gate.

2 911 club (클럽 911), 23, Gwongwang-ro 187beon-gil, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 010-3070-9113. Famous for "drunken" tequila parties that it holds on Friday and Saturday night. It's a relaxed hip hop club with a bit of skate style. Other areas that offer some nightlife options include the Ajou University area and the Suwon Station area. Where you will find:

Club Tao (near Suwon Station). Large Korean-style dance club. Team Bar (near Suwon Station). Does bar shows. S bar (near Suwon Station). Ho rock (near Suwon Station). Serves pasta and steak, wine, and cocktails. Yeongtong has the one of the major concentration of foreigners in Suwon city. Most of them are employees of Samsung Co. and the second dominant group are English teachers.

Now Bar (Near the Kinex cinema.). Popular hangout for expat English teachers and foreign students because of its cheap beer, fun atmosphere and friendly owner and staff. Tinpan. Near KFC. Popular with students from the local university and teachers, plays mainly urban music. However has a wide range of cheap beers and cocktails. Sam Ryan's (near Suwon Station). The Suwon branch of the popular Itaewon bar. Many beers on tap, good food, and plenty of sports on the big screen. 3 DCT, 17 Hwasan-ro 223 Beongil, Jangan-gu (walking distance from Sungkyunkwan University Station), ☏ +82 31 293-5424. 19:00-late. 4 Byeolbam (별밤), 38, Hyowon-ro 249beon-gil, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-223-5569. 19:00-05:00. It is a club that plays songs popular in the 90s. (updated Oct 2024) 5 The Big Chill (Big Chill), Namun (Namun, Rodeo Gil (St.) - 중동사거리 directly in front of Hotel Central/Central Hotel on the 3rd floor), ☏ +82 10 7600 2574. 20:00-02:00. A really great bar that attracts plenty of forei

Sleep

Budget Features of Suwon accommodation include a large number of love hotel-style motels. They are usually concentrated in the bar area in Ingye-dong, near Suwon Station. It is not just a love hotel-style motel. There are various types of accommodation. There are guest houses, hotels, and jjimjilbangs. Starting with jjimjilbangs, there are accommodation ranges ranging from ₩7,000 to ₩100,000.

Jjimjilbangs When using jjimjilbangs, it is essential to use a bathhouse. After taking a shower in a wooden bath, you can enter the sauna wearing jjimjilbang clothes. The average price range is ₩7,000 to ₩10,000. There is a sleeping room in the sauna, where you can sleep well. You may be embarrassed by the Korean culture of public bath, but it will also be a good experience. The jjimjilbang operates 24 hours a day and has no reservation system.

1 Megasparand bulgamauna (메가 스파랜드 불가마 사우나), 81, Songwon-ro, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 31-257-7007. Friendly staff and a nice view from the roof. ₩8000 at daytime, ₩9000 at night (adult), ₩6000 at daytime, ₩7000 at night. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Geumgangsan Sauna (금강산불가마랜드), 45, Songjeong-ro 76beon-gil, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 31-253-5677. ₩7000 for baths and ₩1,000 for steaming clothes. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Life Sports Suwon (라이프스포츠수원), 19, Daepyeong-ro 90beon-gil, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 31-268-4000. Adults (14-) ₩20,000, children (24 months-13) ₩17,000. (updated Dec 2019) 4 DongHo SpaLand (동호스파랜드), 128, Daepyeong-ro, Jangan-gu, fax: +82 31-253-5501. (updated Dec 2019) 5 Hwacheong jijjimjilmag (화청지찜질막), 916, Jeongjo-ro, Jangan-gu, ☏ +82 31-248-0505. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Hyundai Jewelry Bulgama Sauna (현대보석불가마사우나), 248, Geumho-ro, Gwonseon-gu, ☏ +82 31-296-9221. (updated Dec 2019) 7 Suwon-onsugol-oncheon (수원온수골온천), 232, Dongsuwon-ro, Gwonseon-gu, ☏ +82 31-221-4245. ₩10,000 adults (7+ years old), ₩9,000 children (1-6), ₩8,000 seniors (65 and over). (updated Dec 2019) 8 Sparex sauna (스파렉스사우나), 1569, Bongyeong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, ☏ +82 31-206-6677. Weekly: adults ₩8,000, children ₩6,000; nightly: adults ₩10,000, children ₩7000. (updated Dec 2019) 9 Sparex Sauna Shinyoung Tongshop (스파렉스사우나 신영통점), 103, Yeongtong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, ☏ +82 31-204-1010. ₩8,000 for bath, week ₩1,000 (plus charge), night ₩2,000 (plus charge). (updated Dec 2019) 10 Hyuaenseupa (휴앤스파), 177, Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, ☏ +82 31-215-2311. (updated Dec 2019)

Guest house Suwon is not a tourist destination. There are few guest houses, and the facilities are not good.

11 SB House (에스비하우스), 154, Sinwon-ro, Yeongtong-gu, ☏ +82 31-206-1155. There is a daily change in price, so

Go next

Head up to Seoul via Anyang or Uiwang or down south to the hot springs resort of Ansan and neighbouring Cheonan, where you can visit the Independence Hall of Korea.