The martial-arts display
Spears, swords and bows.
Lance Vanlewen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · De-Shao Liu (Terry850324) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · De-Shao Liu (Terry850324) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · De-Shao Liu (Terry850324) — CC BY-SA 4.0
The largest of the temporary palaces that Joseon kings built for stays outside the capital, put up by King Jeongjo within the walls of Hwaseong to lodge in when he visited his father's tomb. Here in 1795 he held a great celebration for his mother's sixtieth birthday, recorded by court painters in detailed scrolls that still survive. Most of the palace was torn down under Japanese colonial rule and replaced by government buildings, then rebuilt in the 1990s and early 2000s from the old records and drawings. Today it is a sequence of courtyards and wooden halls, some furnished with life-size figures that recreate the royal celebration, the palace kitchen and the king's daily life. In front of the main gate is a broad square where soldiers in royal-guard dress give a display of traditional martial arts with spears, swords and bows, Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, with an extra afternoon show at weekends, per visitor guides. The display is free. From May to November the palace opens in the evening at weekends, with its courtyards lit by lanterns.
Spears, swords and bows.
Scenes of the royal celebration.
Courtyards lit by lanterns.
Central Suwon, inside the walls of Hwaseong Fortress
Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, with an extra afternoon show at weekends, per visitor guides. It is free, in front of the gate.
