Suwon - Definition and Overview

Suwon (Suwon-si) is the largest city in and capital of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Suwon is approximately 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of Seoul, on the Gyeongbu railway line and also the new KTX bullet train line.

It is also a stop on Seoul Subway Line 1, and can be reached from downtown Seoul in under an hour.

History

Hwaseong Fortress garden

King Jeongjo made an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to make Suwon the nation's capital in 1796 with the construction of Hwaseong, a fortress wall running around the entire city intended to guard the tomb of his father which he had located there. The fortress exists today, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The walls once encircled the entire city, but recent urban growth has seen the city spread out far beyond the fortress.

Food

Suwon is famous for Suwon kalbi, a delicious variation on the original kalbi theme enjoyed throughout Korea.

Study & Entertainment

Ajou University is located in Suwon, and is a ten-minute walk from the Suwon World Cup Stadium, a venue during the 2002 World Cup tournament and home to K-League side Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The city is also home to Korean Baseball Organization team Hyundai Unicorns.

See also

• List of Korea-related topics

External links

• City government website (http://eng.suwon.ne.kr/)
• Open Directory category (http://dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/South_Korea/Gyeonggi/Suwon/)

Administrative divisions of Gyeonggi province, South Korea
Capital Suwon
Cities Ansan | Anseong | Anyang | Bucheon | Dongducheon | Gimpo | Goyang | Gunpo | Guri | Gwacheon | Gwangju | Gwangmyeong | Hanam | Hwaseong | Icheon | Namyangju | Osan| Paju | Pocheon | Pyeongtaek | Seongnam | Siheung | Suwon | Uijeongbu | Uiwang | Yangju | Yongin
Counties Gapyeong| Yangpyeong | Yeoju | Yeoncheon