Hwaseong Fortress

As promised, a post on Hwaseong Fortress.^^

I ranted about Sungkyungkwan Scandal Korean drama before and mentioned a bit about King Jeongjo and his desire to move Joseon Dynasty's capital to Hwaseong Fortress.


Hwaseong (Brilliant Castle/ Fortress), the wall surrounding the centre of Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, was built in the late 18th century by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty to honour and house the remains of his father Prince Sado, who had been murdered by being locked alive inside a rice chest by his own father King Yeongjo having failed to obey his command to commit suicide. Located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Seoul and enclosing much of central Suwon including King Jeongjo's palace Haenggung,UNESCO designated the fortress a World Heritage site in 1997. The Suwoncheon, the main stream in Suwon, flows through the centre of the fortress. (Source: Wikipedia)


Sungkyunkwan University also has another campus in Suwon. 


All pictures are courtesy of my friends; Hanim, Iris, Marina and Fiza who just recently returned from Seoul. 

A mural done on floor before the entrance of Hwaseong Fortress

The entrance

There's a reason why you can see soldiers here. 

Here is the filming location for DaeJanggeum

or

 Jewel of the Palace Korean drama.

Maybe this is how Lee Seon Joon studied during the old days.^^

The room where King Jeongjo discussed the nation's affair with 

his officials.

Some of the belongings of King Jeongjo's are exhibited here.

The original portrait of King Jeongjo and the reason why 

there are soldiers hovering the place.

The gate to Hwaseong Fortress.

Happy Suwon!

Check out KNTO article on Hwaseong Fortress. and the unsuccessful attempt of King Jeongjo to make Suwon the nation's capital here.

Admission
Hwaseong Fortress: 1,000 won. Hwaseong Haenggung: 1,500 won

Getting There
The fortress (Paldalmun Gate) is a 20-minute walk from Suwon Station, Line 1.


From Myeongdong to Suwon by Subway
1 hour 8 minutes, 25 stops, 41.4km
1,600 won by T-Money, 1,700 won by cash
Transit at GeumJeong Station.

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Famous people from Suwon 

Park Ji Sung - Manchester United footballer. Park Ji-Sung grew up in Suwon 

but was born in Seoul, in 2005 a city street  in Suwon was renamed after him.

Jo Kwon - 2AM's leader; second from left.

Ha Ji Won - actress of SBS's currently airing drama - Secret Garden

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Visiting Thailand’s North Provinces

Although Thailand is a great place to visit, when you venture out of the main cities and tourist locations, you will often be confronted with third world conditions. While this is nothing to be alarmed by, it is something that all travellers should be aware of. 

Theft and poor food preparation and hygiene skills are something that you may notice in certain areas, which is why it is important to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Not only will this cover your medical bills should fall ill from something simple such as gastro (even treatment for this illness can be expensive), but if something should get stolen, that too could be replaced, depending on your policy. 

Discover Thailand 

Some of the most popular places for tourists in Thailand are Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi Island and Koh Samui. However, there are many more destinations that should be seen, to really be believed: 

• Chiang Mai – full of traditional heritage 

• Chiang Rai – situated 785 kilometres north of Bangkok 

• Kamphaengphet – the name means “strong as walls” or “forts made of diamonds” 

• Lampang – famous for their horse-drawn carriages 

• Lamphun – located on the bank of the Kuang River 

• Mae Hong Son – this town has been isolated from the western world 

• Nakhon Sawan – where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom and Nam all meet to form the Chao Phraya River 

• Nan – a province rich in rock salt deposits 

• Phayao – intriguing religious sites 

• Phetchabun – the name means “land of crops and food” 

• Phichit – several crocodile farms can be found in this province 

• Phitsanulok – a great base for those wishing to adventure throughout the north and western northeast 

• Phrae – one of the largest reserves of teak forests 

• Sukhothai – the first truly independent Thai kingdom 

• Tak – known for the area’s beautiful mountains and forests 

• Uthai Thani – rich with native wildlife 

• Uttaradit – a well known port for goods transportation 

Now, if that seems like a lot of places to visit, there is still so much more! The aforementioned provinces are only the ones located in the north of the country. The central, east, north-east and south are also there for you to enjoy!


Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_4437.shtml

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Korean Poem

When I took the bullet train from Yongsan to Cheonan Asan; I found one beautiful Korean poem. Although I didn't understand a single word at that moment but I was amazed at the beauty of Korean calligraphy. A month later, I met Mr Lee from Santisuk who is a serious learner of Korean calligraphy. Talk about coincidence! ^^

Mr Lee; an amazingly talented teacher perfecting his art.

After checking with Mi Hyeon 언니 for translation of the poem, she told me that the poem is about autumn! Second coincidence in a row. Arghh..I am so much in love again and again with autumn.

The poem goes like this:

Title: 그리움

Poet: 맹 주 상

갈변이 머무는
강당골 어느 초당
홀노인은
매운 고추 배를 가르고
저녁노을속
알토란 캐던 아낙네들
긴 그림자
멀어지면
그 눈시울이 붉다

Year: 이천팔년 2008
Time: 하늘 높은 계절
Pen Name: 소하-이천섭
He has written this 씀
 
Mi Hyeon's translation
 
가을
어느 강당 옆 작은 초가에
한 노인이
매운 고추를 반으로 가르고 있다
저녁이 되어
토란 캐던 여자들의
그림자가 길어지고
눈빛도 노을처럼 붉어진다

English Translation:

Leaves turned brown in fall
It was during one fall afternoon,
I saw an old man sitting at a small thatched cottage
Separating spicy peppers into halves
Women were digging out taros
As time goes by, their shadow getting further away
Finally their face and eyes turned red reflection of the sunset
Perhaps I miss this peaceful sight

Check out Wikipedia for Korean poetry and Shi.

Note: Anyone can translate this poem better? Tell me!! Although Mi Hyeon has done her best there might be other different interpretation.

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Guesthouse in Hongik

All these guesthouses are very near to Hongik University, Yonsei University, Ewha University and Sogang University. Numerous cafes, clubs, bars, restaurants, boutiques and musical playgrounds catering for the university students and there's a flea market at Hongik Universit (Hongdae), opens at 1pm every Saturday from March to November.

They serve free breakfast (bread, butter, jam), tea/coffee. All guesthouses are equipped with 100Mbps internet speed and WiFi.

Hongik to Incheon airport
1 hour 16 minutes, 17 stops, 51.6km
4,500 won by t-Money, 4,600 won by cash
Transfer at Dangsan Station and Gimpo Airport Line 9

Hongik to Myeongdong
28 minutes, 11 stops, 10 km
900 won by t-Money, 1,000 won cash
Transfer at Dongdaemun History and Culture Station

Bebop Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
20,000 to 75,000 won

Lee and No Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2 - 6 minutes walk
20,000 to 80,000 won

Namu Guesthouse (for family)
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2
Near to Lee and No guesthouse
22,000 to 90,000 won

Hongdae Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
22,000 to 120,000 won

Hey Backpackers
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 5
22,000 to 120,000 won

Guys and Dolls guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 4
28,000 to 22,000 won

Blu guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
18,000 to 55,000 won

Grape Garden House
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
17,000 to 63,000 won

Stay Korea Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2
19,000 to 80,000 won

Source: SeoulBestHostels

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