‘Explore Hwaseong by Bike’ in Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province

Is there a way not to just feast your eyes on cultural heritage sites but also to enjoy them from a different perspective? ‘Explore Hwaseong by Bike’, a special event organized for the study of cultural heritage sites and the enjoyment of fresh air, is already marking its 15th year.

◇ Participants start from Manseok Park Square. ⓒ Reporter Choi Gyu-weon 

The ‘Explore Hwaseong by Bike’ event, as the name implies, is an interesting occasion to ride a bike around and explore Suwon Hwaseong. Thousands of people join the event every year to experience the beauty of Suwon Hwaseong, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and to forge pleasant memories with family, friends, and loved ones.

The 15th Explore Hwaseong by Bike event began in Manseok Park of Suwon on June 5. It was hosted by the Joongboo Ilbo and sponsored by Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City.

More than three thousand participants took part in the event including Joongboo Ilbo Chairman Im wan-su, Suwon Vice Mayor Lee Jae-jun, and Gyeonggi Province Saemaeul Movement Council Chairman Lee Do-hyeong.

◇ Participants ride bikes along the street. ⓒ Reporter Choi Gyu-weon

Participants started from Manseok Park at 9:30 am, passed Hwaseonghaenggung, Paldal Gate, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex, Hwaseo Gate and other notable sites before returning to Manseok Park. During the event, thousands of cyclists traveled 9 kilometers along the streets of Suwon City.

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site Suwon Hwaseong reflects history of Korea

One of the themes of the event was ‘Learning about the World Cultural Heritage of My Hometown while Cycling and Meditating on the Spirit of Filial Piety of King Jeongjo.’ In order to properly understand this theme, one also needs to understand Suwon Hwaseong.

Suwon Hwaseong stems from the filial piety of King Jeongjo. King Jeongjo’s father is known as the ‘Tragic Prince’, and King Jeongjo always honored and observed filial piety for a father who met his end under tragic circumstances.

King Jeongjo ascended to the throne and moved the tomb of the Tragic Prince to Hwasan. People also relocated to this area. Hwaseong was constructed at that time, the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty, as a walled city.

◇ Han Hyeon-gyu of the Gyeonggi Province University Student Report Group passes Jangan Gate ⓒ Reporter Choi Gyu-weon

Included along the event course was Jangan Gate, which is deemed superlative among the 11 gates of Hwaseong. Jangan Gate, the largest and the most splendid of the gates, was built facing toward Hwaseong where the king resided.

◇ The grandeur of Jangan Gate ⓒ Reporter Han Hyeong-gyu

Both Paldal Gate and Hwaseo Gate also boast their own unique splendor, and so Suwon Hwaseong really stands at the forefront of the historical sites in Gyeonggi Province.

Various spectacles and secondary event boast high participation levels

Various spectacles were staged before the start of the event. A saxophone performance by the Gyeonggi Province Three Joys Association and the amazing feats of the BSTAR BMX Team added to the excitement of attendees.

A raffle with a number of lucky winners was one of the most popular events with a bicycle being among the prizes. Winners were drawn after the bike-riding event finished, with large numbers of people remaining and eagerly awaiting the results of the raffle.

◇ Participants in the Youth Safety Festival ⓒ Reporter Choi Gyu-weon

The Youth Safety Festival was held as a secondary event. The subject of the safety festival was the prevention of school violence. Many youths who participated in the bike ride also showed their support for the elimination of school violence through the safety festival,

The 15th Explore Hwaseong by Bike event provided an opportunity to enjoy both fresh air and amazing sights. Although humble in appearance, the event gave participants the chance to forge precious memories while learning more about Korean cultural heritage.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Reporter Choi Gyu-weon of Gyeonggi Province University Student Report Group gw817@hanmail.net 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201407080951487816C056&s_code=C056