Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress (constructed from 1794 to 1796) was built as a show of the King’s filial piety towards his father Jangheonseja and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power. The fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that’s hard to find anywhere else. Four gates face each of the cardinal directions Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west) and the seven-arch style Sumun gates straddle the point where the nearby stream reaches the palace. Above the Sumun gates is a pavilion called Hwahongmun. Hwaseong Fortress was constructed under the guidance of Yu Hyeong-Won (1622-1673) and Jeong Yak-Yong (1762-1836), and is believed to have been constructed very scientifically. The fortress wall was built using Seokjae and Jeondol (bricks) and the holes between the bricks are just big enough to fire guns, arrows, or long spears through in case of an attack. The fortress was designated as Historical Monument No. 3 in January 1963, and in December 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. [Source: Korean Tourism Website]

Ideally the best place to start would be Janganmun, as Paldalmun is in renovation stage. Be prepared to walk for 2 hours if you wish to traverse the entire fortress. There are plenty of places for good photography. The fortress is extremely well maintained and makes for a good evening walk. If your interested in archery you can try your hand at it, at the fortress. Overall a wonderful place to spend time. Best times of visit are the spring and winter seasons.

For more information read : Hwaseong Fortress

Verdict

• Ease of transportation: 5/5
• Value for money: 4/5
• Recommended group size: 4 or more

Here are some pictures

Mulhyanggi Arboretum

The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, situated in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is a peaceful area where you can come to relax, but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center. There are many things to see at the beautifully named 330,580m2 arboretum (mulhyanggi meaning water fragrance). There are 16 themed centers, various auxiliary facilities, and 1,601 different species of plants. The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, is a great place for a leisurely walk, and takes around two hours to see in its entirety. Children will have an exciting time at the Topiary Center, which can be seen from the parking lot, and the Maze Center. Other themed centers include the Pine Tree Center, the Maple Tree Center, the Fruit Tree Center, the Tendril Plant Center, the Center of Native Plants of Central Korea, the Dwarf Tree Center, the Local Crafts Tree Center, the Wet Land Ecology Center, the Center for Plants that Live in Humid Areas, the Warm Temperature Zone and Pteridophyte Center, the Functional Plant Center, the Althea Center, and the Insect Ecology Center. There is also an observatory made from a tree. As indicated in its name, the waters of this arboretum are clear and clean. Tadpoles swim in the wetland and Korean squirrels scurry up and down the trees. The arboretum, only an hour away from Seoul, affords city dwellers a place to relax in peace where they can experience different forms of natural beauty according to the season. [Source: Korean Tourism Website] ※ There are no shops, restaurants, or trash bins. Visitors to the site are recommended to take waste back homes and to be considerate of the environment. You can bring a lunch box and enjoy your meal at the ‘Rest Area inside the Forest’, which is a designated site for eating.[Source: Korean Tourism Website]

For more information read : Mulhyanggi Arboretum

Verdict

• Ease of transportation: 3/5
• Value for money: 3/5
• Recommended group size: 4 or more

Here are some pictures

Visit to Indian Embassy, South Korea

On India's 65th Independence day, I and and a couple of my Indian colleagues in Korea decided to visit the Indian Embassy in Seoul. It was the closest we could get to patriotism far away from our country!. The Indian Embassy lies in Hannam area, close by to the Han river. In fact the entire area is known as the UN village. There are embassies of many countries, similar to the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi. What struck me about the Hannam area is its strikingly beautiful railway station, although being in Seoul it such a simple station, I was reminded of the railway stations in villages in India.

The Embassy of India is about a kilometer's walk from the Hannam station. As we got into the Embassy, the patriotism and love for our country seemed to surge higher, it was like a little India within Korea. Familiar dressing, food, language all together gave us and many other Indian expats unexpected joy!. We never expected to see 500 Indians in Seoul at one place! shocking!. After a long time, I got to taste samosas, idlis, vadas, they weren't great, but something close to that in a remote land are greatly welcome!. The rest of the morning was spent in watching popular Indian numbers performed by a team of Indian and Korean women, visiting multiple stalls displaying Korean and Indian handicraft, face painting stalls, interacting with other Indians, interacting with the ambassador of India to Korea, Mr Vishnu Prakash and also his charming wife :)

The surprising fact that came out of these general discussions were that plenty of Indians were pursuing Ph.D in Korea. I never expected South Korea to be one of the destinations for Ph.D applicants from India, and more so in the areas of pure science. What has happened to pure science research in India, has Korea has beaten us in pure science research ? has Information Technology been over glorified and pursuing science streams seems a bane!, the land of Vikram Sarabhai, C.V Raman, J.C Bose doesn't seem to have a bright future for pursuing pure science anymore, saddening.

We left the place with the immense satisfaction that the day had been well spent and we indeed did a good thing by coming this far to the embassy. Patriotism, culture, language, religion seems much closer to heart in an alien country. The Indian embassy also celebrates other major Indian festivals. In case your in Korea at that time, do call up and participate, I am sure you will never regret it.

Link to Indian Embassy: Indian Embassy



Some pictures below.

Everland Resort

Everland Resort was opened in 1976 as the first family park in Korea. The park is home to over 40 heart-pounding rides and attractions. In addition to ‘Safari World’ featuring white tigers, tigers, lions and bears, ‘Herbivore Safari’ opened in April 2010, letting visitors get up close and personal with the safari’s giraffes, elephants, and ostriches. Everland is also known for its gorgeous flower arrangements and beautiful gardens, which have been year-round fixtures since the Rose Festival in 1985. Other great spots for family fun are the Snow Sled (the first and the longest of its kind in Korea), Caribbean Bay (an outstanding water park) and Everland Speedway (a racing track). Full of exciting attractions and entertainment, Everland is one of the most popular places in Korea for families, friends, and couples. [Source Korea tourism website]

In Everland the following rides should never be missed T-Express, Double-Rock, Safari, Amazon ride and Columbus. The park is extremely vast and will tire any traveler, make sure to keep yourself refreshed throughout the day. There are frequent buses from major city stations to Everland station. The park is one of the best combinations of a theme, Amusement and water park I have seen till date. Everland also ranked in top 10 theme parks in a worldwide survey. Never miss a chance to visit Everland at any cost!

For more information read : Everland Resort

Verdict

• Ease of transportation: 4/5
• Value for money: 5/5
• Recommended group size: 6 or more

Some pictures below.

Waujeongsa temple

Waujongsa Temple is a well known landmark in the Gyeonggi-do province attracting hundreds of tourists everyday. It is about an hours drive from Suwon station. The road meanders around farmlands, lakes and finally makes way to the temple. The temple seems to be constructed on a hill, there are few relics at the base and after a 10 minute climb there are few more. The history of Lord Buddha is painted on the walls of the temple and are quite self explanatory. Wau+jeongsa, literally meaning resting Buddha and is very similar depictions of Vishnu in the form of Vishnu shayana in Southern India. One can observe the sleeping Buddha statue in one of the temples. One of the eye catching idols is the huge bronze based head of Buddha just at the entrance, numerous other bronze Buddha's statue surround this bronze based marvel and is a spectacular sight to see. There are over 3,000 Buddhist statues on the temple grounds, the most famous of which are the Buldu (Buddha heads) placed at the entrance and the Wabul (reclining Buddha statue) stationed in the middle of the mountain. The 8m-high Buldu is the largest of its kind and the Wabul, which is made from a juniper tree from Indonesia, is 3m in height and 12m in length. As the world’s biggest wooden Buddhist sculpture, the Buldu has been registered in the Guinness Book of Records. [Source from Korea tourism website] One of the other unique things about the temple is the Pagoda of Unification, located besides the stairs of the Hall of Nirvana. The pagoda is comprised of stones brought by visitors from various holy sites all over the world. Hence, the construction of the Pagoda is a never-ending progress. As a symbol of the pervading hope for world peace, a wide range of Buddhist statues from many countries including India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China and Thailand are on display around the temple, allowing visitors to learn about Buddhist cultures from all over the world.[Source from Korea tourism website]

For more information read : Waujeongsa temple

Verdict

• Ease of transportation: 3/5
• Value for money: 3/5
• Recommended group size: 4 or more

Some pictures below

Yongjusa temple

The Yongjusa temple is one of the cultural heritage sites in Hwasong province. Its about an hours drive from Suwon station. The surrounding is very serene and gives a sense of peace. The temple complex is not huge, approximately 5 acres in size. I did not observe of any active worship except for two pagoda type structures where there is idols of Gautama Buddha all around. There is perfect silence and excellent place to meditate. The history of the temple is adapted from the Korea tourism website.

The temple was built by King Jeongjo to protect Hyeollyungwon (현륭원), the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado. This site was originally the location of Garyangsa Temple, which was constructed in AD854, the 16th year of King Munseong of the Silla Dynasty. The temple was very famous as it was surrounded by beautiful mountains and crystal clear waters. However, the temple was destroyed by fire during the Byungjahoran (the second Manchu invasion of Korea). During the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado (or posthumously designated King Jangjo), to this spot, and built Yongjusa Temple here to pray for the repose of his father’s soul.[Source from Korea Tourism website]

I have also heard Yongjusa offer a few day monk stay type of facility. Interested participants can spend few days akin to the lives of a monk and understand the Buddhism as part of the experience.

For more information read : Yongjusa temple

Verdict

• Ease of transportation: 3/5
• Value for money: 3/5
• Recommended group size: 4 or more

Some pictures below.