Things to do in Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Jeff did a fantastic job with showing us around. It sometimes felt a bit rushed as we had quite the fast pace but without it we might not have seen it all. Also this allowed us to have often some free time to take pictures, buy souvenirs or so. All in all also very happy with the locations and attractions this tour covered.

The driver's Korean-style English was so funny! I finally made it to Hwadam Botanic Garden, which I'd been longing to visit, and picking strawberries was so much fun. The driver asked us how to say "strawberry" in Cantonese, and when we told him "si do bei lei," his reaction was priceless – he looked completely stunned! 😂

Excellent experience — it genuinely felt like a private VIP tour. Our group was very small, only around 11 people, and we had two guides, one for the English-speaking guests and one for the Chinese-speaking guests. Everything was extremely well organized from beginning to end. The service was excellent, the transportation was very comfortable, and having such a small group made the whole experience feel relaxed, personal and almost like a private tour. The guides were attentive, professional and made sure everything ran smoothly throughout the day. I really enjoyed every part of the itinerary, and there was honestly nothing I could fault. One of the best organized tours I have taken in Korea. Excellent value and truly VIP-level service. Highly recommended!

We had Nicole for our half day tour of Suwon and she was amazing! She was so insightful about the history and explaining the different areas or stories. She was so sociable, fun, easy to talk to, and was interested to know where we came from and share what she knew, especially about different areas and what to look out for. We were lucky to have a private tour and would absolutely recommend this tour as they have given my partner and I a great understanding of the history of the Hwaseong fortress and palace and gave us an amazing start to our trip!

Thanks to the delightful guidance of Yu-san, also known as Tama-chan, two hours flew by in an instant. At the end, she accompanied us by bus to Hwaseomun Gate, where we were able to enjoy a projection mapping show. This was my second visit to Hwaseong Fortress, but Yu-san showed us places I hadn't noticed before, and areas I would never have ventured into without her guidance, making it a very meaningful experience. If I have the chance, I would definitely love to have her guide us again. Thank you, Yu-san.

This trip was outstanding, largely thanks to our tour guide, Eva from VIP Travel. From the moment she introduced herself to the end of the tour, she was incredibly helpful. She made the experience fascinating by sharing the history and interesting facts about every stop. Eva stayed with us the entire time, guiding us through all the must-see areas so we didn't miss a thing, and she patiently answered all our questions. Thank you so much, Eva!

This was a very good tour. Not too early from Myeongdong St. (8:30). The amount of walking was perfect, plus you get a short rest on the bus between stops. Each stop was timed well with an adequate amount of time and information shared. Our guide Simon was personable and a good story teller -- thank you for sharing Korean history with us, very fascinating. Plus the itinerary made for a well balanced trip -- historical sites, shopping and leisure, and unique with the Cave visit. Very much recommend to anyone who wants to make the most of their time in Seoul.

Sean Kim was a great tour guide/ driver. He took us to all the important places to save time and gave tips for us all to have memorable experiences during the tour. The whole tour was unexpectedly fun not just for us but for our 70yr old dad too. The walk all through out was just enough and definitely a must korean tour.

This time, three of us participated. The meeting point was Exit 10 of Myeongdong Station. Since it was my first trip to Korea, I was a little worried, wondering, "Is this really the right place?" But our guide, Dragon, called out my name, and we quickly met up. Dragon was very pleasant and spoke excellent Japanese, so I felt at ease joining the tour from the moment we met. On the day of the tour, the surrounding roads were heavily congested due to a demonstration, so we walked a short distance from the meeting point. There, a large black van was waiting for us. We were then told, "Today will be a private tour just for you all," which made for an unexpectedly special start. During the journey, Dragon meticulously explained the history of Korea and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, making the approximately one-hour travel time fly by. It was a very enjoyable and meaningful time. Upon arriving at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a classical concert was taking place, and it was bustling with many people. Dragon guided us through the areas where the kings lived, explaining everything so clearly that even I, who am not usually keen on history, found it fascinating, making the tour increasingly enjoyable. Furthermore, one of my companions had a leg injury. When we mentioned this, Dragon made thoughtful arrangements, such as changing the itinerary, which was originally entirely on foot, to include car travel. This was very considerate. The photography was also excellent; Dragon took many photos for us at every scenic spot, creating wonderful memories. The driver was also very careful and reassuring, making our travel comfortable. Dragon and the driver, thank you so much for a truly enjoyable time. As a personal impression, this tour was outstanding in every aspect: the guide, the content, the service, and the attentiveness. It was a particularly memorable experience during this trip to Korea. I highly recommend this tour to anyone planning a trip to Korea; it's an experience you definitely shouldn't miss.