Hwaseong Fortress is a fortification surrounding the old city center of Suwon. It was built over a two and a half-year period, from 1794 to 1796, under the command of King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800) of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910).
The construction of this fortress was a result of meticulous city planning by King Jeongjo. The Suwon area had long been regarded as one of the most auspicious sites on the Korean peninsula. So, the king moved the grave of his father, Prince Sado, from Yangju (present-day Hwigyeong-dong, Seoul) to Suwon in 1789.
Due to the relocation of the tomb of Prince Sado, a new city was required to accommodate the former residents of the area. The king hired prominent scholars and engineers to build the new city as a secure, convenient, and prosperous one.
The fortified walls of the new city, named Hwaseong, maintained the traditional Korean style, as they were constructed in accordance with the natural slopes of the area. Bricks were used to solidify and strengthen the walls, and the walls featured several advanced technologies and defense facilities from China and the West. Also, located at a transportation juncture to the south of the capital area, Hwaseong had many economic benefits. New roads were paved around the fortress to attract merchants from all around the country, and many economic policies were implemented to support market development.
Hwaseong Fortress is considered as a masterpiece of Joseon architecture, and in recognition of its outstanding universal value, it was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.