A trip to Suwon for a stroll through cherry blossoms, and a bike trip to Paju 

Cherry blossoms that flutter in the cool wind offer unforgettable memories to those who see them. Families, friends and lovers stop in their tracks to savor that very moment of spring in their hearts. How about making new memories in a warm and fresh spring breeze? Enjoy the sweet-smelling spring in a Gyeonggi Province that abounds with spring flowers.

◇ The Gyeonggi Provincial Government hosts the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival in Suwon every year, showcasing gorgeous cherry blossoms for visitors to see around the main gate and along the Mt. Paldal trail at the rear gate. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

■ Walk under a fluttering rain of flowers: A trip to Suwon

Gyeonggi Provincial Government – [2.5km, 10 minutes by car] – Hwaseong Haenggung Palace – [360m, 5 minutes on foot] – Suwon Dumplings – [3.3km, 12 minutes by car] – Suwon Museum

Cherry blossoms in Suwon on a gorgeous spring day: Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival

Every mid-April, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government hosts the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Cherry Blossom Festival in Suwon. White cherry blossoms from 200 large cherry trees over 40 years old fill the sky, and a sparkling rain of flower petals falls whenever the spring breeze blows. Visitors can enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms around the main gate and toward the Mt. Paldal trail at the rear gate. The Mt. Paldal trail from Paldalsan Park on the right towards Hwaseo Park on the way to Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is an ideal path along which to enjoy spring picnics among cherry blossoms as well as azaleas and forsythias.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government opens it complex during the event to promote major provincial policies and events at publicity booths. The “Cherry Blossom Sharing Market” sells superb agricultural products at low prices, providing another pleasurable element to the festival.

Contact: 031-120
Address: 1, Hyowon-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi Provincial Government)
Admission fee: Free
Parking: Provincial government complex parking lot
Period: April 18-20

[Nearby Attraction1] Royal Palace of Gyeonggi: Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

Haenggung is a temporary palace at which the king stayed while on journeys to other regions. Hwaseong Haenggung Palace was established by the monarch of innovation, King Jeongjo, who made the long journey on 13 occasions over a span of 12 years. It is beyond comparison in terms of size and function, and is also referred to as a local version of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Historical dramas such as Dae Jang Geum and Yi San (Wind of the Palace) were filmed there. Various performances are held at Shin-Poong-Roo, the main gate, such as the 24 Martial Arts Performance and Gatekeeper Changing Ceremony, starting with the opening ceremony on April 5.

Contact: 031-290-3600
Address: 11, Haenggung-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province
Website: http://www.swcf.or.kr
Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 (March-October) 09:00~17:00 (November-Feburary)
Admission fee: Adults KRW 1,500, teenagers·soldiers KRW 1,000, children KRW 700 (regular performance: free)
Parking: KRW 2,000 for 3 hours, KRW 10,000 per day

[Nearby Attraction2] Suwon’s Yesterday and Today: Suwon Museum

This museum displays the history and culture of Suwon through different themes, and depicts various aspects of the modern development of dynamic Suwon. ‘Model of the 1960’s,’ which reproduces the downtown Nammoon market of the 1960s, evokes a sense of nostalgia among middle-aged visitors. The planned exhibition, ‘Suwon’s Breakthrough’, impresses visitors in a special way by providing displays of the urban development and changes in lifestyle due to the relocation of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and opening of the Gyeongbu[Seoul-Busan] Expressway.

Address: 265, Changnyong-daero, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province
Contact: 031-228-4150
Website: http://swmuseum.suwon.ne.kr
Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 
Closed: First Monday of the month
Admission fee: Adults KRW 2,000, teenagers·soldiers KRW 1,000, childrenㆍsenior citizens free 
Parking: Free

[Food] Dumplings like cherry blossoms: Suwon

‘Suwon’ is the name of one of the leading Chinese dumpling restaurants in Suwon City; it has been managed by a Chinese entrepreneur for 40 years. Meat dumplings with thick yet soft dumpling skins resemble cherry blossoms. The meat and vegetable filling is well blended, and the tenderness provides a satisfying mouthful. The dumplings are so popular that the entire stock runs out during lunch hour alone. You can enjoy a firm yet tender dumpling skin that is roasted crisp on one side. Fried dumplings with gravy in the stuffing are also beyond comparison.

Menu: Meat dumplings KRW 5,500, fried dumplings KRW 5,500, beef noodle soup KRW 5,000, fried noodles KRW 5,000
Contact: 031-255-5526
Address: 6, Changnyong-daero 8beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province
Operating hours: 11:30~21:30 

◇ The DMZ Bike Tour consists of a 17.2km course that runs from Imjingak, passes over the Civilian Control Line, through TongIldaegyo-Tongilchon Village entrance and Chopyeongdo, and then returns to Imjingak. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

■ Biking along the spring breeze: A trip to Paju

Odusan Unification Observatory – [4.0km, 6 minutes by car] – Motnani Amusement Park – [15.0km, 19 minutes on foot] – Milbat Restaurant – [6.8km, 15 minutes by car] – Imjingak

Pyeonghwa-Nuri Bike Path: DMZ Bike Tour

The Imjingak sluice opens at the starting signal, and over 300 cyclists simultaneously enter the military parapet along the Imjingang River. Tense faces between the barbed-wire fences and guard posts become much softer in the fresh spring breeze as they enter TongIldaegyo.
The DMZ Bike Tour consists of a 17.2km route that runs from Imjingak, passes over the Civilian Control Line, through TongIldaegyo-Tongilchon Village entrance and Chopyeongdo, and then returns to Imjingak. After consultations with military authorities, approximately 2km will be added to the route. Participants can enjoy a magnificent view of the Imjin River while enjoying snacks and taking photos at a resting place near Chopyeongdo. There is also an event in which participants can write postcards to their families about the special feelings they experience at this unique place.
Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are hosting the DMZ Bike Tour on the fourth Sunday of every month until November, with the exception of April when it will be held on the 13^th and 27^th. Those wishing to participate can make reservations through the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri website of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization.

Contact: 031-956-8306
Address: 153, Imjingak-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi Peace Center)
Period: March-November (every fourth Sunday of the month)
Participants: 300 in the order of application
Participation fee: KRW 10,000 per person (KRW 3,000 more for bike and helmet rental)
Souvenirs: Paju specialties

[Nearby Attraction1] Legacy of the Cold War: Odusan Unification Observatory

This is where visitors can see the reality of South-North division. South and North are separated by 2km with only the Imjin River between them at the northernmost part of the western area. From the observatory, visitors can see Mt. Songak in Gaeseong as well as how North Koreans live. The Gaeseong Complex Publicity Pavilion on the first floor displays socks, clocks, shoes and cosmetics produced through joint cooperation between South and North. The planned exhibition hall hosts themed photo exhibitions and special exhibitions relating to unification and national security.

Contact: 1666-3171, 031-945-3171
Address: 369, Pilseung-ro, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju City, Gyeonggi Province
Website: http://www.jmd.co.kr
Operating hours: Summer 09:00~17:00, winter 09:00~16:30
Admission fee: Adults KRW 3,000, teenagers·soldiers KRW 1,600, children KRW 1,000 
Parking: Free
Period: Open year-round

[Nearby Attraction2] Ugly in Heyri: Motnani Amusement Park

Motnani (ugly) Amusement Park displays old props featuring three unique Motnani characters among various themed spaces in the Heyri Art Valley. The Motnani Store sells crybaby Motnani dolls in various sizes as well as snacks, and the Motnani Restaurant offers old traditional lunchboxes for visitors to enjoy while reflecting on their childhood. The Old Junk Museum in the amusement park displays everyday items like water pumps in a yard and old magazines.

Contact: 031-957-4466
Address: 59-118, Heyrimaeul-gil, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju City, Gyeonggi Province(Gate no.4)
Operating hours: 09:30~19:00 
Admission fee: Motnani Amusement Park basic entrance is free (KRW 2,000 added for Old Junk Museum)

[Food] Double the joy with chopped noodle dumpling soup: Milbat Restaurant

This restaurant is famous for kimchi dumplings made with 30 years of skill, and for chunky and glutinous chopped noodles. The chopped noodle dumpling soup is one dish that offers the best of both at once. The hot beef bone broth and clean kimchi dumplings go well with the firm chopped noodles. The generously large serving is another source of pride for this restaurant. Mixed noodles with hot spices are also popular.

Menu: Chopped noodle dumpling soup, mixed noodles, dumpling soup, chopped noodle soup all KRW 6,000
Contact: 031-952-7152
Address: 17 Munsan-ri, Munsan-eup, Paju City, Gyeonggi Province
Operating hours: 09:00~21:00

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Lee Jun-gyun eyekle@hanmail.net 

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