Exploring Suwon: A Barrier-Free Tourist Bus Experience
[Reporter: Yoeseul Jo]
Reducing the burden of walking while conveniently experiencing history and culture through a barrier-free tourist bus.
After making a reservation for the Suwon tour, you can board the bus by entering the reservation code.
When planning a trip to Suwon, the first places that come to mind are Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace. However, the area around Suwon Hwaseong is rich with not only historical and cultural spaces but also art galleries, cultural facilities, and local attractions worth exploring. To visit multiple sites at once, the walking distance can be longer than expected. In such cases, a great option is the Suwon tourist bus.
The Suwon tourist bus operates as a barrier-free service to conveniently experience the history and value of Suwon Hwaseong. One of its attractive features is that you can enjoy the scenic views of Suwon comfortably in an air-conditioned bus. Best of all, during the trial operation period, it is free to use until the end of October.
I boarded the first course of the Suwon tourist bus to explore the area around Suwon Hwaseong and observed its benefits and how to make the most of this service.
Free Suwon tourist bus until the end of October
Suwon Tourist Bus Information
Fare
Free (Trial Operation Period)
Operating Days
Tuesday to Sunday / Closed on Mondays
Operating Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Departure Times
10:00 · 11:00 · 1:00 · 2:00 · 3:00 · 4:00
Departure Location
Yeonmudang Parking Lot
Reservation
Reservations can be made on the Suwon Cultural Foundation's dedicated reservation page.
Vehicle
14-seat and 10-seat (wheelchair accessible) buses
Wheelchair Accessible Buses
Available on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th departures
If you plan to use the Suwon tourist bus, it's recommended to check the reservation availability and operating information on the official page before your visit. Also, due to weather conditions or road situations, routes may change or operations may be suspended, so checking the latest information on the day of your visit is advisable.
The bus also tells the story of Suwon Hwaseong and King Jeongjo.
Waiting for the Suwon tourist bus at Yeonmudang Parking Lot, the first thing that caught my eye was the bus design. The design features elements inspired by the traditional military hat worn by Joseon-era kings and generals, with the main color representing King Jeongjo's ceremonial robe.
Currently, during the trial operation period, you can board the Suwon tourist bus directly without needing to stop by a ticket booth.
After boarding, I found that the bus had windows on both sides and above, allowing for great views of the surroundings. The bus I boarded had 10 seats, with space for wheelchairs or strollers behind the seats. It was comfortable to enjoy the scenic views of Suwon while traveling in the air-conditioned bus.
I took the first course around Suwon.
This course includes stops at Yeonmudang → Suwon Hwaseong Museum → Hwaseong Haenggung → Paldalmun → Family Women's Center → Old Gyeonggi Provincial Office → Seojangdae → Nampo-roo → Seongsinsa → Hwaseomun → Haengridangil → Suwon City Art Museum → Tongdak Street → Suwon Media Center → Yeonmudang. On weekends, some routes may change.
Experiencing the Suwon tourist bus allowed me to see sights that I might have missed while walking. I could leisurely view the surroundings, including Nampo-roo and Seongsinsa, through the bus window.
On the day of the visit, despite the hot and humid weather, using the Suwon tourist bus significantly reduced the burden of walking. Children from a daycare were also on board, enjoying the views of the fortress and surroundings for about 40 minutes without getting bored.
A local citizen who rode with me mentioned they returned to experience the first course after previously taking the second course. They highlighted the advantage of being able to explore Suwon's main attractions comfortably in the cool bus, even in hot weather.
If you're using the Suwon tourist bus for the first time, I recommend taking a full loop before planning detailed stops. This way, you can discover new places or spots you'd like to visit naturally. The Suwon tourist bus allows you to get off at designated stops and reboard if there are available seats on the next round, making it easy to continue your journey from places you like.
After getting a sense of the overall route with the Suwon tourist bus, I suggest enjoying activities like archery at Yeonmudang and visiting indoor spaces such as the Suwon Media Center and Suwon Hwaseong Museum, followed by a walk around Suwon Hwaseong and Hwaseong Haenggung. Mixing indoor attractions with outdoor sites is especially enjoyable during hot days.
Even if you're familiar with Suwon, experiencing it through the Suwon tourist bus offers a fresh perspective. The bus allows you to choose a travel method that fits your stamina and schedule.
During the trial operation period until the end of October, it's free to use, so why not take this opportunity to see familiar Suwon from a different viewpoint?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224392938381
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