Now is the Age of Culture(文話) Suwon Hwaseong, Chosen by the People, Where History and Daily Life Meet

On the 19th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization unveiled an intriguing tourism map. Called the 'Discovery of Korean Landmarks 100X100 Project,' it is big data compiled from recommendations by 100 tourism experts combined with votes from approximately 40,000 citizens, organizing over 6,300 hidden travel destinations across the country. What catches the eye more than the impressive numbers is the direction of public sentiment. The numerous data points reveal precisely what we truly desire in travel today.

People Seeking 'Warmth of a Meal' Instead of 'Boasting Rights'
The locations that received the most votes were surprisingly not grand natural landscapes or large museums. The top keywords chosen by the public were 'affordable restaurants,' 'long-established establishments,' and 'seasonal foods.' Instead of luxurious resorts or Instagram-worthy dining spots, long-standing neighborhood bakeries, traditional markets, and modest rice restaurants filled the upper ranks of the landmark list.

This demonstrates a shift in the central axis from 'display-oriented travel'—visiting places to show others—to 'restorative travel' that quietly soothes a weary daily life. The criteria for travel are changing from bragging rights to the size of peace one finds in that place.

Gyeonggi Province's Strength, and Suwon Hwaseong as an Enduring Landmark
Among all municipalities nationwide, Gyeonggi Province demonstrated solid strength by listing 882 locations. At the center of this stands undoubtedly 'Suwon Hwaseong.' Suwon Hwaseong received the most votes among numerous landmarks in Gyeonggi Province, recording the 'highest votes in the region.' It also ranked 8th nationwide in the thematic category of 'walled cities and fortifications connecting time,' confirming its unwavering popularity.

The fortress walls imbued with King Jeongjo's reform philosophy are no longer artifacts confined behind museum glass. They are an evening promenade where people walk while gazing at the city lights at dusk, and a comfortable retreat where citizens leisurely stroll on weekends. When centuries of history do not remain in the past but naturally interweave with present life, cultural heritage at last gains true vitality.

A Café Below the Fortress Wall, the Aroma of Fried Chicken at an Old Restaurant… Where History and Alleyways Intersect
Suwon appeals as an increasingly diverse city precisely because it is not bound to a single fortress wall. As you descend along the fortress path, the savory aroma of fried chicken from the old chicken street and the bustle of Namun Market stimulate the senses. Along the Haenggung-dong alley road (Haengridangil), small teahouses and workshops filled with individual character stand closely together, and a short drive away, the open waterfront of Gwanggyo Lake Park unfolds.

Historical tours, alley explorations, and lakeside walks naturally connect within a single city. A place where one can simultaneously enjoy the freshness and comfort that travel brings without traveling far away. Suwon's high support in this survey likely stems from this luxurious harmony.

True Stories Encountered on the Road
The value of a well-crafted tourism map does not lie in listing major landmarks. Rather, it reminds us that precious value is hidden in alleyways we casually pass, in dining tables of long-established restaurants, and in a single small but elegant garden.

The 'Suwon National Heritage Night Tour' being held around Suwon Hwaseong is being extended through the 30th, it is said. Why not take a leisurely stroll along the fortress wall this weekend? Having a cup of tea in a small teahouse below the fortress, sharing warmth at an old establishment. The landscape of travel that the public painted while drawing the map themselves is not so far from us.