[Suwon City Tour] - Experience Korean Archery at Yeonmudae (Dongjangdae)

 

Yeonmudae  or Dongjangdae (연무대-동장대) is located inside 

UNESCO World Heritage site, Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress.

Dongjangdae, meaning Eastern Command Post, stands next to Dongbuk Gongsimdon. It's facing Changnyongmun across an archery field. The command post is nicknamed Yeonmudae, as the reference to its second function as a training camp. 

  Yeonmudae is situated between Hwahongmun (North gate) and 

Changryongmun (East gate) on a relatively high hill. 

After left Hwahongmun, our tour guide told us that we're heading to Yeonmudae, and we can experience Korean Archery there. Sound interesting and we decided to participate and pay KRW2,000 per person to the guide.

Yeonmudae was used as military observation post and also

military training camp for troops practiced martial arts 

involving swords, spears and arrows for over two centuries.

When the king was in residence in Haenggung, there were two generals
and four soldiers on guard in this command post at all times.
Each officer was armed with a bow and arrow, sword and baton.

 

Yes... Now visitors can experience and learn archery at this
open space field with skillful instructor.

We need to wait for awhile, as the other group of 30 people
was still practicing here.

A set of bow and 10 arrows for firing~!!!

  
Ok, I'm all ready for my first time arrow shooting!


Position myself according to the blue footsteps :)
I want to be as cool as Ki Seung Nyang (Ha Ji Won)
with her archery skill in Korean Drama 'Empress Ki (기황후)'.


 Wow I was so excited and started fun shooting and flying
few of my arrows before instructor coming to me!

And realized that I did it wrongly! Heol~! I totally forgot
everything on what I learned about gravity from school... sigh!!!

The correct way is you need to shoot higher as your arrow is subject to gravity, and will fall downward while traveling from the point you shoot to the target. 

Come, let's check how many bullseye shoots I have...

Wow~ not bad huh... 4 out of 10 arrows!!! 

Actually I just pose as if as I was pulling out these 4 arrows. How cool~! But in reality was I just collecting these arrows so the next group can use them. It's not as easy as I thought. Sob sob ㅠㅠ

So, the correct answer is ZERO! None of my arrows touched this giant bullseye board. Well, some decided to land before the board, and some traveled beyond the board! Clap clap clap!!!

Oh yeah, we need to thanks our tour guide for taking these awesome photos for us~! ^^

Yeonmudae was featured in Korean variety show 1박 2일 (1 Night 2 Days) and Running Man.

 Yeonmudae (Dongjangdae)  

Add: 20, Changnyong-daero 103 beon-gil, 

Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Maehyang-dong).

[Suwon City Tour] - Suwon Fortress, Hwahongmun and Banghwasuryujeong

Hwahongmun (화홍문) meaning beautiful rainbow-colored gate.

Hwahongmun, also known as Buksumun (the north gate) is  is located below the Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion, which the Suwon stream flows entering Hwaseong.  

The Suwon stream broadening at this point and

flowing through the Seven arches forming the bridge.

 The gate also functions as a bridge and housed cannons  to protect the Fortress.

It was originally intended to be the second battle command post, 

but instead its scenic location made it a favored place for feasts. 

 Hwahongmun played a role of a bridge, connecting villages from the either side of the river.

 

Seven arches were constructed in different sizes. The central opening is larger 

than the ones towards the outside making it easier to let the water through. 

 I love Suwon Fortress~^^

 Yeah nice scenery looking down from Hwahongmun...

Beautiful Suwon stream flowing from the North to the South.

 Suwon city harmonizes with sturdy Suwon Fortress.

The highlight iconic of Suwon city "Suwon Hwaseong Fortress"

         

 Hwaseong fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km, and about 4 to 6 metres high.

It was built over two and a half years from 1794 to 1796 based on  
Silhak (practical learning) which encouraged the use of science and industry.

 The architect Jeong Yak-Yong incorporated fortress designs from Korea and China 

along with contemporary science into his plans.

Bukammun (북암문 = Northern Secret Gate).

Hwaseong Fortress has 5 secret gates for the passage of people, cattle and military supplies. Bukammun is the only structure with brick walls at Hwaseong Fortress, which was constructed in 1796 between Banghwasuryujeong Paviliaon and Dongbukporu (Northeastern Sentry Post).

Banghwasuryujeong (방화수류정) Pavilion.

It served as watchtower, a command post and pavilion.

It's harmony with the natural surrounding, thus was named with the meaning

"A pavilion chasing after flowers and floating along the willow branches"

 This pavilion is said to be the most beautiful and unique structure

of Hwaseong Fortress. You can see this round pool and city view

from this pavilion. Awesome watchtower & pavilion indeed!

Hwaseong Fortress Dragon Train (화성열차).

Tourist Dragon Train route:  Paldalsan Mountain (General Gamchan Gang's Statue) -> Hwaseomun Gate -> Jangan Park -> Janganmun Gate -> Hwahongmun Gate -> Yeonmudae.

The front of the train is shaped like a powerful dragon that signifies King Jeongjo, 

and the guest cars resemble palanquins that once carried the king during his excursions.

We're going to Yeonmudae too after this... but sad face not with this cool dragon train. But at least I took a picture with it. ㅋㅋ

Related Posts:
~ Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
~ Trazy Suwon Hwaseong Fortress