Martial Artists Train at “Secluded” Suwon Fortress

Korean martial artists seek the seclusion(?) of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon:

Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province is starting to establish itself as the home of all but forgotten Korean martial arts. The fortress, built in the days of King Jeongjo in 1796, is being transformed into the Korean version of the Shaolin Temple, the legendary home of China’s Kung Fu.
Last Wednesday afternoon, the Society for the Preservation of Muye24 (http://muye24ki.or.kr), a non-profit organization, got ready to give the last public demonstration of the year at the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum in Giheung District, Yongin.

(…)

“It was an exhibition to wrap up the year,” says Kim Young-ho, 42, the head of the society. “Since we are always on the move to pass on traditional Korean martial arts, we are going to seclude ourselves in Hwaseong Fortress this winter and concentrate on training.”

I don’t know if I would call Hwaseong Fortress secluded. For those who haven’t been there, the fortress is completely surrounded by the metropolis of Suwon.

However, that doesn’t mean Hwaseong fortress is not a great place to go visit. It is actually easy to access by subway or bus, features beautiful architecture and surroundings, plus an interesting history. Yet, every time I have been there I have never found overwhelming crowds visiting the place. Now the fortress has this martial arts exhibition so that is an added bonus to any trip there. You can read more about my visit to this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site by click here. Highly recommended.