Suwonsi

Suwonsi, commonly referred to as Suwon-si, is a city in the northwestern part of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, about 30 kilometers south of Seoul. It is part of the Seoul metropolitan area and serves as the provincial capital of Gyeonggi. The city centers around the historic district near the Hwaseong Fortress and the Suwoncheon stream. As of the early 2020s, Suwonsi has a population around 1.2 million and is administratively divided into four districts: Jangan-gu, Paldal-gu, Gwonseon-gu, and Yeongtong-gu.

Historically, Suwon developed during the late Joseon period. Hwaseong Fortress was constructed from 1794 to 1796 under King Jeongjo to establish a new royal center near the city and to honor his father. The fortress and the accompanying Hwaseong Haenggung temporary palace are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its innovative fortress design and integration with the surrounding topography.

Key sites include Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, the Suwon Hwaseong Museum, and the Suwon World Cup Stadium, which has hosted matches for major events and is home to the Suwon Samsung Bluewings football club.

Economically, Suwon is a diversified city with manufacturing and services anchored by electronics and technology clusters. Samsung Electronics operates facilities in the area, contributing to local employment, while Ajou University is a major higher education institution in Suwon, supporting research and development.

Transportation is well developed. Suwon Station on the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1 provides frequent service to Seoul and surrounding areas, and the city is connected by major expressways, including the Gyeongbu Expressway.