In summuer vacation,I visited Hwaseong for school program. Though I live nearby Suwon, it was first visiting to Hwaseong. The history of Hwaseong was very interesting to me.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was constructed by king Jeongjo, the 22nd king of Joseon dynasty after moving the tomb of his father Sadoseja, Crown Prince. There were multiple reasons for constructing the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. The most important reason was King Jeongjo's filial piety to his father. But, there were other reasons : his political strategy to eradicate faction struggles and establish the king-led politics; use of it as fortress of national defense to the south.

One of the most memorable places was Hwahongmun. Hwahongmun, otherwise known as Buksumun, is the gate under which the Suwoncheon flows on entering the area encompassed by Hwaseong. (It formerly exited through Namsumun, but this gate no longer exists.) The gate has the obvious function of being a bridge, but also housed cannons for defensive purposes. Especially, I analyzed water in Suwoncheon, and as a result it was very clean.

My first visit to Suwon was absolutely unforgettable and precious memory.