Introduction to Hwaseong City #2

We cannot discuss Hwaseong City without mentioning its beautiful tourist attractions!

Industry and Tourism

Hwaseong City enjoys one of the highest levels of financial independence among the cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province. This is because there are various manufacturers operationg in Hwaseong. In fact, the biggest part of Hwaseong's economy is manufacturing. The economy in western Hwaseong is led by Hyundai-Kia Motors and its affiliates, while pharmaceutical factories dominate southern Hwaseong and the economy in eastern Hwaseong is led by Samsung Semiconductor and other large and mid-sized companies. There are also thousands of small businesses and factories located throughout the city.

Hwaseong City is home to the largest number of companies in Gyeonggi-do, and also ranks first in terms of local corporate income tax. The local corporate income tax paid by Samsung and Hyundai Kia alone accounts for 75 percent of all such taxes collected.

When it comes to tourism, Yungneung and Geolleung are two royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty that are situated within an oak-forested park in Hwaseong. Yungneung is the tomb of Crown Prince Sado and Princess Hyegyeong, while Geolleung houses King Jeongjo and Queen Hyoui. The tombs have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Introducing Jebudo

Where is Jebudo?

Jebudo is an island within the jurisdiction of Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi-do. It is a true island completely surrounded by sea water at high tide. During ebb tide, however, the land connecting the island and mainland is exposed. There are several islands on the West Coast of Korea where this phenomenon occurs. In the 1980s, a road linking Jebudo Island to the mainland was opened in accordance with the development plan for the island area. Some of the high tide roads have been intentionally flooded and cannot be crossed, lying submerged like diving bridges.

Jebudo Island in Hwaseong

ⓒGyeonggi Province

Before the land was developed and roads were built, Jebudo Island was a quiet island whose inhabitants made their livelihoods through fishing and agriculture. In the 1980s, however, roads were built on mudflats and vehicles were able access the area, making it a tourist destination for many people on weekends. The Hwaseong City Government is developing Jebudo and Jeongok Port as marine leisure tourism centers. Jebudo Beach is lined with various seafood restaurants. Due to the nature of the West Coast, the water depth is shallow and there are many mudflats, which are popular with campers.

Gyeonggi’s Clean Coast Project

Gyeonggi-do prioritizes the creation of a clean marine environment for its residents to enjoy. Building on its previous success with valley restoration projects, the province decided to allocate resources to do the same for its coastal areas. The provincial government’s plans includes cracking down on the illegal businesses operating along the coast and disposing of waste generated from coastal and offshore activities.

With the construction of a 140-ton waste removal vessel, the province will address marine waste such as fishing gear and nets. Concurrently, if someone is caught fishing illegally, they will be subject to up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 30 million in accordance with related laws and regulations.

Hwaseong Dinosaur Fossil Site

The Hwaseong Gojeong-ri Dinosaur Egg Fossil area was designated as Natural Monument No. 414. In 1999, while conducting preliminary research on ecological and geological changes following land reclamation in the Sihwa Lake area, an environmentalist discovered the site. Dinosaur egg fossils were discovered at six or seven sites before the Hwaho site was established. Most of the world's dinosaur egg fossils have been found in China and Mongolia, and it is rare that such a collection of dinosaur egg fossils has been discovered at a single site like Shihwa Lake. At the Sihwa Lake fossil site, five to six dinosaur egg fossils and as many as 12 dinosaur egg fossils were found in about 20 nests. Fossils of dinosaur eggs are oval, and a total of 180 have been found so far.

Yunggeolleung in Hwaseong
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Hwaseong Bibong Wetland Park

The entrance to Bibong Wetland Park may be difficult to find because there are no signs or information boards. However, Bibong Wetland Park charges no entrance fee, so you can see the observatory right inside the wetland park after passing through the bridge-shaped entrance. On the first floor of the observatory, information on various attractions in Hwaseong as well as on the flora and fauna of Bibong Wetland Park is displayed.

If you pass the observatory building and turn right, you will find the starting point of Bebong Wetland Park in Hwaseong. When you follow the cherry blossom road inside, you will discover a straight road that bisects Hwaseong Bibong Wetland Park with tall trees planted on either side of this unpaved route, imparting a feeling that differs from the rest of the wetland park. If you move a little further in, you will see a wooden road leading into the wetland park.

Hwaseong Bibong Wetland Park is an artificial wetland park located in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi-do, that was created by environmental groups and local governments to improve the water quality of Lake Sihwa, which was once uninhabitable by wildlife. With the natural purification of the reed wetland parks, Sihwa Lake now features clean water for marine life again after more than 20 years.

It is slightly farther and smaller in size than Ansan Reed Wetland Park, but Bibong Wetland Park offers a serene landscape that is ideal for a leisurely walk.