
Paldalmun Gate Suwon
The grand southern gate of Suwon's 18th-century Hwaseong Fortress, a magnificent wooden pavilion set against historical walls.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Magical nightscape views

Paldalmun Gate Suwon
Best Time
Magical nightscape views

Highlights
Must-see attractions
The grand southern gate of Suwon's 18th-century Hwaseong Fortress, a magnificent wooden pavilion set against historical walls.
"This is by far the prettiest and most impressive gate of the entire Suwon city wall."

🎯 Easy Access from Suwon Station
Take a bus to Paldalmun bus stop, then walk up the stairs to reach the gate.
🚶♀️ Fortress Walk Loop
Paldalmun is part of the Hwaseong Fortress walking loop, offering great views.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Paldalmun Gate's Grandeur
Southern entrance of Hwaseong Fortress
The most impressive southern gate of Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress, a magnificent two-story wooden pavilion.

Hwaseong Fortress Walls
Surrounding Paldalmun Gate
Explore the beautifully maintained fortress walls, offering scenic views and a glimpse into historical Korean architecture.

Paldalmun Market Area
Around the gate
Discover local eateries and shops near the gate, including a renowned chicken restaurant with over 30 years of history.
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Planning Your Visit
Navigating Paldalmun Gate
Best Time to Explore
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Easy Access from Suwon Station
Take a bus to Paldalmun bus stop, then walk up the stairs to reach the gate.
🚶♀️ Fortress Walk Loop
Paldalmun is part of the Hwaseong Fortress walking loop, offering great views.
🚗 Busy Roadway
The gate is on a busy roundabout, making close-up viewing tricky.
🍗 Local Eats Nearby
Explore the market for local food, including a famous 30-year-old chicken restaurant.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Easy Access from Suwon Station
Take a bus to Paldalmun bus stop, then walk up the stairs to reach the gate.
🚶♀️ Fortress Walk Loop
Paldalmun is part of the Hwaseong Fortress walking loop, offering great views.
🚗 Busy Roadway
The gate is on a busy roundabout, making close-up viewing tricky.
🍗 Local Eats Nearby
Explore the market for local food, including a famous 30-year-old chicken restaurant.
☀️ Scorching Hot Summers
Be prepared for heat and sweat during summer visits.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Paldalmun Gate as the most beautiful and impressive gate of Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress, highlighting its magnificent structure and the well-maintained historical site. While its location on a busy roundabout can make close-up viewing challenging, the surrounding fortress walls offer stunning views and a rich historical experience. The nearby market also adds to the appeal with local food options.
"I ran along the fort’s wall. It is truly beautiful and well maintained by the government"
sara mouawad
"I ran along the wall of the fort .
It's really beautifull and properly maintained by govt"
bhupi payal
"Cool fortress to see. Suwon is worth the day trip to see the amazing history and shops inside the walls."
Xin Wang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a bus from Suwon Station to the Paldalmun bus stop. From there, walk straight up the staircase to reach the gate. Alternatively, some visitors suggest taking a bus from Suwon Station to get closer to the fortress area.
Paldalmun Gate is located on a busy roundabout, which can make direct car access and close-up viewing challenging. It's part of the larger Hwaseong Fortress, which is more easily explored on foot.
Yes, Paldalmun Gate is a central point within Hwaseong Fortress. You can use local buses to navigate between different sections of the fortress or to return to Suwon Station.
The tourist information center can be reached by bus to the Paldalmun bus stop, followed by a short walk up a staircase.
Yes, Klook offers discounts on activities, hotels, and transportation in Suwon. You can use a discount code for up to 5% off with no minimum spend.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Paldalmun Gate itself is an exterior structure and generally accessible. However, to explore the full Hwaseong Fortress, including walking the walls and entering certain structures, an admission ticket is required.
Paldalmun Gate is an outdoor landmark and is accessible at all times. However, if you plan to visit attractions within Hwaseong Fortress, check their specific operating hours. For example, Flying Suwon operates from 12:30 PM to 9:30 PM on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
Viewing Paldalmun Gate from the outside is free. If you wish to explore the Hwaseong Fortress grounds and walls, there is an admission fee.
Yes, Paldalmun Gate is a focal point for events like the Suwon Lantern Festival, offering a spectacular night view.
While not explicitly stated for Paldalmun Gate, it's common for major attractions in Korea to offer online ticket purchases, often through platforms like Klook, which also provides discounts.
📸 📸 Photography
For stunning night photography and cityscapes, consider visiting during the Suwon Lantern Festival. Golden hour before sunset can also offer beautiful lighting on the gate and fortress walls.
Yes, Paldalmun Gate itself is a picturesque structure. The surrounding fortress walls also offer excellent vantage points for photos, especially if you're walking the loop.
You can capture the grandeur of the gate, panoramic views of the fortress, and the bustling market area. Night shots during festivals are particularly popular.
Due to its location on a busy roundabout, getting a completely unobstructed shot of the gate from ground level can be challenging. However, from elevated positions along the fortress walls, you can get excellent perspectives.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules and obtain any necessary permits before flying a drone near historical sites like Paldalmun Gate and Hwaseong Fortress.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The area around Paldalmun Gate, particularly the Nam Mun Market, offers various local eateries. A highly recommended spot is a chicken specialized restaurant with over 30 years of history.
Yes, a unique restaurant specializing in chicken, with a history spanning over 30 years, is located in a small alley near Paldalmun Gate and Nam Mun Market.
The market area surrounding Paldalmun Gate is a great place to find traditional Korean street food and local dishes.
While specific cafes aren't highlighted, the general area around the gate and within the fortress often has places to rest and grab a drink. Some itineraries suggest coffee breaks at places like Heol Coffee Roasters.
One review mentions a restaurant near Paldalmun Gate that has maintained its prices for over 30 years, suggesting affordability.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Look for interactive exhibits or historical reenactments that might be available within the fortress grounds to engage younger visitors. The Flying Suwon hot air balloon ride offers a unique perspective and can be a memorable experience for the whole family, providing stunning views of the fortress from above. The nearby markets also offer a chance to try local snacks, adding a fun culinary element to the day.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
To save on food costs, explore the local markets around Paldalmun Gate, where you can find delicious and inexpensive Korean street food and traditional dishes. Packing your own water bottle and snacks can also help reduce daily expenses. Look for discount opportunities on platforms like Klook for potential savings on entrance fees or transportation.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Night photography enthusiasts will be thrilled by the Suwon Lantern Festival, where Paldalmun Gate becomes a magical backdrop for illuminated displays and cityscapes. While the gate is on a busy roundabout, elevated positions along the fortress walls offer excellent vantage points for capturing the entire structure without traffic obstructions. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to showcase the scale and beauty of this historical site.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Hwaseong Fortress
Walking the entire fortress loop can take several hours, so comfortable footwear is essential. Many visitors recommend starting or ending their exploration at Paldalmun Gate due to its accessibility and prominent location. The fortress is meticulously maintained by the government, ensuring a beautiful and immersive historical experience.
Beyond the walls, the area around Paldalmun Gate is vibrant with local markets and eateries. For those interested in unique experiences, consider the Flying Suwon hot air balloon ride, which offers breathtaking aerial views of the fortress and the city.
Getting to Paldalmun Gate
For travelers looking to optimize their journey, using ride-sharing apps or taxis is also an option, though public transport is generally efficient and cost-effective in Suwon. It's worth noting that Paldalmun Gate is situated on a busy roundabout, which means you might not be able to get extremely close to the gate itself from all directions without crossing traffic. However, this central location makes it a key landmark for navigating the broader fortress area.
When planning your visit, consider utilizing discount platforms like Klook, which can offer savings on transportation and activities in the Suwon area, making your trip more budget-friendly.
Culinary Delights Around Paldalmun
Beyond this specific restaurant, the market offers a variety of street food and traditional dishes. Visitors can expect to find a lively atmosphere with vendors selling local delicacies. While exploring, keep an eye out for other historical eateries or cafes that add to the charm of the area. Some travel itineraries also suggest visiting specific cafes like Heol Coffee Roasters for a break during a day trip.
For those interested in themed dining, the area is also known for places that have appeared in popular K-dramas, such as Woo Young Woo's Kimbap Store and Mong Ted cafe, adding a pop culture element to your culinary exploration.





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