When I visited
there on Saturday late morning around 10;30AM, it was crowded already by the many people who enjoy the weekend. I
got a position under the trees in front of the Sinpungnu(신풍루, the main gate of the palace) and watched the 24 Martial
Arts Trial Performance which is constituted of excellent 24 techniques of
Joseon Dynasty(last dynasty of Korea established in 1392).
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| The commentator wearing the Hanok(Korean traditional clothes) |
They
used to do practice all the year round according to the commentator’s
explanation. On a hot day, they did perform while wearing thick traditional military
uniform as dripping with sweat. It was the time for them that was needed thunderous
applause. It might be surely
successful event for King Jeongjo who made this palace to see that many people are happy under the three zelkova trees planted by himself and at the just site where he distributed the rice porridge for the poor. Trees were giving the shade and mild winds of them for the visitors as if they welcomed the clouds. Many various regular or irregular performances such as Jangyongyeong Royal
Guard Ceremony, King’s parade accompanying by his mother, Saturday Regular
performance and Summer night music concert (July-August) are given in this
front yard of the palace. What the amazing thing is plenty of performances were played by the citizens of Suwon city(수원시).
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| King's parade accompanying by his mother |
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| The mother of King Jeongjo( rolling by volunteer citizen) on the parade |
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| The old Korean traditional clothes. Visitors are able to wear and take photos inside the palace |
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| King's chair ; The photo zone next to above dress wear corner in the palace |
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The photo zone of Daejannggeum(Jewel in the palace) in the palace
This palace was
often used for filming site of historical TV dramas such as DaeJangGeum(Jewel
in the Palace), The Moon Embracing the Sun and so on. Also
other experimental activities are prepared for the people inside the fortress.
Among
the event of all, the most delightful one must be the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural
Festival celebrating every October. What’s more surprise, many parts of these
schedules have been operated by the volunteers of Sunwon citizens. |
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The Tongdak street(통닭거리 ; the fried chicken street)
Do you
happen to hear the word ‘cheemaek'(치맥) ? It is the combination word of chicken and beer.
Koreans love to drink beer with Korean style fried chicken. There was big fried
chicken food street at the back side of Yeomingak (Korean belfry), after crossing the street from the Haenggung(this temporary palace) square and walked down toward the direction of Suwon
Hwaseong Museum.
The Yeomingak(Korean belfry)
I put on the waiting list and await around 20 minutes because
many people waited on line already. I loved the plentiful amount and low price
of it. I was full by the crispy fried chicken and seasoning one on the
half-half base of one chicken. I highly recommend to stop by this delicious zone. You won’t be
disappointed, never. Samsung corp. Almost everyone in the world knows the
mobile phone of Samsung Electronics co., Headquarter of it is in Suwon. And related
some Samsung group companies are also in here. And thus, this city got
remarkable growth in company with these companies since a couple of decades. I
thought that the King might dream this kind of imagination of vibrant business world. His dream is still keep
on going. |
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| At the front yard of palace |
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| Along the fortress |
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| At the Banghwasuryujeong |
There are some restrictions near the fortress since it had been designated in UNESCO World Heritage site. For example, Here is not permitted to build the gas station near the wall for fresh air. I think it is very beautiful thing that Suwon citizen make efforts and protect great relics despite of inconvenience.I can’t help loving this city like them,too. I had been the program of ‘Walking in
the moonlight at Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung’. It will be another romantic experience at
night to me to the past. I look forward it very much. I’ll post about it soon.
Tip ; You need three hours at least to take a walk around just the fortress. It
means the more times should be taken to see the palace also. Don’t hurry. Take
your time slowly in here, please!!!. And prepare some drinks, wear comfortable
shoes and something to shield the strong sunshine in case of hot day. Check the
performance schedules carefully through their web site because they have various regular/irregular program for visitors.
In the
past, it was a quite prosperous ferry. A dam was built in the vicinity and here
was designated as a Green Belt area, and it had resulted in stopping its
function.
The boat with an ochre sail is now silently telling past stories indifferently. Don't expect too much of here. It is a simple riverside area with
nothing special. If I mention it, three trees of 400 years old are gathered side
by side and look like an umbrella from a distance. And it has
been bustling for visitors to make memories of their own at the zone recently
installed frame to take pictures.
However, the mediocrity and silence more than
spectacular views sometimes let our hearts stick to it. The weather was heading
towards summer and the lotus was full blooming.
As sitting on a bench while
watching the river without thinking and I was reminiscent of my memories with
my parents when I was a child, high school campus and friends, college campus
at this time of the past, etc. The book pages of Memories were turning over on
and on to the past.
It is a place often seen in dramas and advertisements, and
the mist of the dawn is quite reputed to be beautiful in spring and autumn. Despite
of depending on whenever it is, the atmosphere was great even if i visited in
the daytime. I heard that snow in winter makes spectacular view but I'd give up
to visit due to its cold weather. The bandit as for me seems to be the very
right blooming season of lotus. Welcome to those who enjoy a secluded spot.
