Saturday Part 2: Suwon Fortress

After our exciting adventure to see the Golden Buddha Statue, we continued up Mt. Paldal to the lookout tower. The view from the top was amazing and I apologize for the poor video quality in the video. Anyway, once we got to the top, Katrina and I enjoyed the view for a few minutes. Next, we walked along the top of the mountain and followed the wall to the Bell of Filial Piety.

(Lookout Tower at the top of Mt. Paldal)

(If you look very closely you can see a structure at the top of the mountain. That structure is the one found at the top of Mt. Paldal, the same one in the previous picture.)


(Compound Katrina and I visited last weekend)

The Bell of Filial Piety makes the tradition of filial piety reverberate in our hearts and expresses the best wishes of the citizens of Suwon for your family and for the nation. Each toll had a specific meaning:

1st toll: To show gratitude and respect for your parents

2nd toll: To wish for your family's health and harmony

3rd toll: To wish for the realization of your dreams

(Bell of Filial Piety, which is representative of Suwon, also know as the city of Filial Piety)

After the Bell, which neither Katrina nor myself rang, we went back down the mountain and hopped on to the Hwaseong Trolley (aka "The Dragon Wagon" as I liked to call it). We rode the Dragon Wagon for about half an hour during which time we were able to see the outer limits of the walled city. Katrina and I got dropped off at the Dongjangdae, or place of military command. In the front of the palace there was an area, where for 2,000 Won, individuals could attempt to shoot arrows. Again, we passed but as I hope you have noticed, the entire area has interactive entertainment for children and adults alike.

("Dragon Wagon")

(Mountain Water. Half way down Mt. Paldal there was a communal spring which people could use to fill their water bottles or there were also communal cups)

Katrina wanted to see a beautiful garden area so we headed there next. The view was nice and there was not a lot of noise in the air. Upon entering the tower, we took off our shoes and then found a nice place to have a seat. We ended up staying for about 15 minutes. After that, we took a stroll down to the river. The building which is apart of the fortress also served as a floodgate. After our river walk, we found the 98 bus and spent the evening at my place. By the way, my move out date has been delayed from today at 4 pm until tomorrow, Monday, at 11 am which also coincides with my first day of work. Hope everyone is doing well and you enjoy the pictures. Take care.

(View of floodgates and tower where we relaxed (upper right hand corner). On the other side of the floodgates is a pond and there were a lot of birds flying around.)

(View of the wall with Suwon City in the background)