Suwon, South Korea
Region: Gyeonggi Province
Geographic Coordinates: 37.266700, 127.017000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 40.0°C (-4°F to 104°F)
Climate: Suwon has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with the highest temperatures in July and August and the lowest temperatures in January. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly more rainfall in summer than winter.
Population: 1234300
Language: Korean
Suwon, Located in South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, Is a bustling city just 30 kilometers south of Seoul. Known as the City of Filial Piety, Suwon places a strong emphasis on Confucian values and respect for elders. The city has a rich history dating back to the Joseon Dynasty and boasts many cultural landmarks that showcase its past. One of Suwon’s most famous attractions is Hwaseong Fortress, Built in the late 18th century by King Jeongjo as a tribute to his father.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site spans over five kilometers and features impressive gates, Watchtowers, And walls offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can explore the fortress on foot or by renting bicycles or electric scooters. Another must-see landmark in Suwon is the Korean Folk Village showcasing traditional Korean culture from different regions throughout history. Live performances of folk music and dance are available here along with artisans making pottery or weaving textiles. Traditional games like yutnori are also available for visitors to try their hand at archery.
For those interested in modern technology, Samsung Electronics’ headquarters are located in Suwon. The company’s massive complex includes research facilities and production lines for smartphones and other electronics products used worldwide. Foodies will delight in Suwon’s culinary offerings; one popular dish unique to this area is galbi-jjim (braised beef short ribs), Often served with rice cakes (tteok) cooked with vegetables such as carrots or mushrooms. Nightlife options abound here too: there are plenty bars offering craft beers alongside Korean-style snacks like fried chicken wings dusted with spicy gochujang sauce.
Or head out into downtown areas like Paldalmun Market where street vendors selling everything from clothes to souvenirs line up along narrow alleyways until late into night hours! Overall Suwon offers something for every type of traveler whether interested in history, Culture, Food, Or nightlife. This vibrant city is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Important Landmarks
- Hwaseong Fortress: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historic fortification built in the late 18th century.
- Suwoncheon Stream: A picturesque stream that runs through the heart of Suwon, offering scenic walks and bike rides.
- Korean Folk Village: A living museum showcasing traditional Korean architecture, culture, and crafts.
- Paldalmun Gate: One of the four main gates of Hwaseong Fortress, it is a symbol of Suwon’s history and heritage.
- Haenggung Palace: A royal palace built during the Joseon Dynasty that served as a temporary residence for kings during their travels.
- Gyeonggi Arts Center: A modern arts complex featuring exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.
- Suwon World Cup Stadium: A state-of-the-art soccer stadium that hosted several matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
- Yeonmudae Memorial Park: A park dedicated to honoring Korea’s military history with exhibits and monuments related to ancient battles fought in the region.
- KBS Drama Center: The filming location for many popular Korean dramas such as Boys Over Flowers and Dream High.
- Samsung Innovation Museum (S.I.M): An interactive museum showcasing Samsung’s technological innovations throughout its history.
Primary Industries
- Technology: Several technology companies, including Samsung Electronics, have a large campus in the city.
- Automotive: Hyundai Motor Company has a manufacturing plant located in Suwon, making it known for its automotive industry.
- Pharmaceuticals: LG Life Sciences and Hanmi Pharmaceutical are among several pharmaceutical companies with operations in Suwon.
- Food processing: Nongshim Co., Ltd., Ottogi Co., Ltd., CJ CheilJedang Corp are some of the food processing companies situated in the city.
- Logistics and transportation: Many logistics and transportation companies operate within Suwon as it is a major transportation hub in South Korea.
- Tourism: With its rich cultural heritage sites such as Hwaseong Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Suwon attracts many tourists each year.
- Education: Ajou University and Kyonggi University are some of the universities located in Suwon that contribute significantly to the local economy through research activities and student spending power.
Overall, these industries play a vital role in driving economic growth for the city of Suwon while providing employment opportunities for thousands of people living there.
Museums and Things To See
- Hwaseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction in Suwon, known for its impressive walls, gates, and pavilions.
- The Suwon Museum of Art is a modern art museum that features contemporary Korean art exhibitions and installations.
- The Gyeonggi Arts Center is an arts complex that hosts various cultural events such as concerts, theater performances, and exhibitions.
- The Suwon Hwaseong Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Suwon’s famous fortress.
- Haenggung Palace was built during the Joseon Dynasty and served as a temporary residence for kings during their travels outside Seoul.
- Paldalmun Gate is one of the four main gates of Hwaseong Fortress, offering stunning views of the surrounding area from atop its walls.
- The Samsung Innovation Museum (SIM) is an interactive museum showcasing Samsung’s history and technological innovations over the years.
- Yeonmudae Memorial Park has memorials to soldiers who fought in various wars throughout Korea’s history.
- KBS Drama Center is a center dedicated to producing Korean dramas where visitors can watch live filming sessions or take part in workshops on acting or scriptwriting.
- Suwon World Cup Stadium hosted games during 2002 FIFA World Cup where visitors can take tours or attend events.
Sports Teams
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Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC is a professional football club located in Suwon, South Korea. The team was founded in 1995 and has won several domestic and international titles, including:
- Four K League 1 championships
- Two AFC Champions League titles
- One Korean FA Cup
- KT Sonicboom is a professional basketball team based in Suwon, South Korea. The team was established in 1997 and participates in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). They have won one KBL championship title.
- The Gyeonggi-do Provincial Government Volleyball Team is a women’s volleyball team situated in Suwon, South Korea. They compete in the V-League (Korean Volleyball League) and have secured three V-League championships.
- Hyundai E&C Hillstate Men’s Volleyball Team is a men’s volleyball group located in Suwon, South Korea. They participate in the V-League (Korean Volleyball League) and have won two V-League championships.
- Hanwha Eagles Baseball Club is a professional baseball club that plays some of their home games at the Suwon Baseball Stadium located within Big Bird Land amusement park complex since 2019 season as part of their plan to expand fanbase to other regions outside Daejeon Metropolitan City where they are originally from. They play for KBO league which operates under Korean Professional Baseball Association(KPBA)and is considered as the highest level of baseball league system operating under it.
Cultural Events
- Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is an annual event held in October to celebrate the rich history and culture of Suwon. The festival offers a variety of cultural performances, traditional games, and food stalls.
- The Suwon International Mime Festival is a popular event that takes place annually in September. It features incredible mime performances from artists around the world.
- Every July, the Suwon World Dance Festival showcases traditional dance performances from Korea and other countries.
- In May, the Suwon Traditional Culture Festival promotes Korean culture through various activities such as folk games, music performances, and workshops.
- The Suwon Lantern Festival is an enchanting event that takes place annually in November or December. Visitors can enjoy colorful lanterns lighting up the streets of downtown Suwon.
- Held every two years (odd-numbered years) at the Icheon Ceramics Village near Suwon, the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale showcases contemporary ceramic art from around the world.
- Taekwondo enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on attending Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships held annually in August or September at Gyeonggi Sports Complex in Suwon where taekwondo practitioners from all over compete for prizes.
- The Bongsan Mask Dance Drama Festival is held every two years (even-numbered years) at Bongsan Cultural Center near Suwon featuring mask dance dramas designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Cuisine
- Galbi (grilled beef ribs) at Yeonpo Galbi.
- Bibimbap (mixed rice bowl) at Jeonju Jungang Hoegwan.
- Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) at Chuncheonjib.
- Suwon-style fried chicken at Kyochon Chicken.
- Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) at Yuksu Naengmyeon.
- Jokbal (pig’s feet) at Sambong Jokbal.
- Mandu (dumplings) at Gwanghwamun Mandu.
- Suwon-style beef soup and boiled rice with mixed grains, vegetables, and meat called Gomtang can be found in many restaurants around the city.
Other notable restaurants in Suwon include:
- Hwaseong Haemul Kalguksu – seafood noodle soup restaurant located near Hwaseong Fortress.
- Onggi Gogi – Korean BBQ restaurant that specializes in using traditional earthenware pots for cooking.
- Chilbo Myeonok – a famous traditional Korean restaurant serving dishes made with organic ingredients.
- Jungang Sikdang- A popular spot for sundaeguk or blood sausage soup
- Hanil Sikdang- A famous spot for its gamjatang or pork bone stew
Parks and Recreation
- Hwaseong Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes a 5.74-kilometer-long fortress wall, various gates, pavilions, and temples.
- Suwon World Cup Stadium: A large stadium that hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is now used for concerts and other events.
- Gwanggyo Lake Park: A scenic park with walking paths, a lake, and various recreational facilities such as soccer fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds.
- Paldalmun Gate: One of the four main gates of Hwaseong Fortress that serves as a popular tourist attraction.
- Suwon City Hall Square: A public square in the heart of Suwon that hosts cultural events throughout the year.
- KBS Drama Center: An entertainment complex where visitors can watch live TV shows being filmed or attend musical performances.
- Yeonmudae Park: A historic site where soldiers trained during the Joseon Dynasty era with reenactments held regularly for visitors to enjoy.
- Gyeonggi Arts Center: An arts center featuring theater performances, exhibitions, concerts, workshops and more in an impressive modern building complex.
- Samsung Innovation Museum (SIM): Visitors can explore Samsung’s history through interactive exhibits showcasing their technological advancements over time at this museum located in Yongin-si which is close to Suwon city limits.
- Suwon Convention Center (SCC): This convention center hosts various events such as international conferences or exhibitions throughout the year offering state-of-the-art facilities including exhibition halls with audio-visual equipment for large-scale presentations.