Hwaseong Fortress

When I first found out where I would be going in Korea, I was told Hwaseong. The internet (at least the English speaking internet) is VERY confused about the actual location of Hwaseong. Some of the internet understands the basics, but most of the internet wants you to think that the fortress is really the only thing known as Hwaseong. The real problem is that despite the fact that my address is Hwaseong, no one actually calls this area Hwaseong. I live in Dongtan, which is in Hwaseong, but really outside of Suwon. Frankly, after more than two months, I'm just figuring it out myself.

Anyway, none of that is really the point. The point is that I went to the fortress. It's pretty darn cool. It was built in the late 18th century by some guy who wanted to keep his shit safe. You know, the standard fortress story. The coolest part is that, like many ancient things in Korea, the fortress is completely coexisting with modern day Suwon. You pay a couple of dollars and you can wander around the fortress. Lauren, my sightseeing buddy from Gig Harbor, and I walked about half of the outside wall, got hot, the cut through the city to get to the excitement (and to eat an ice cream).  Alright, on to the good stuff: the pictures!

One of the main gates of the fortress.

Looking back at the gate from inside along the wall.

Using what was once intended for weaponry (CROSSBOWS!) to creepily peek out to Suwon.

What is that person wearing?!

Lauren and I being super touristy.

The trolley for people visiting the fortress that we foolishly chose not to ride. It was hot!

Some Koreans learning about archery.

We discovered this as we cut through the city to eat our ice cream. Two questions. One: who sells tapes? It's 2011!! Two: Who buys them???!!!!

Creeping on some fake people. 

More fake people, these were much more realistic.

A giant Buddha with a little shrine (?) underneath.

Inside the shrine.

Lauren at the highest point in the fort. Suwon is in the background.

Some Koreans ring the bell.

On the way back to where we started.

The fortress.

Alright, that about does it for touristy pictures for a little while. I'm going to try to blog about my real life in the very near future. Stay tuned!