Though not nearly as huge as the Great Wall of China, this unusual fortress is still quite impressive. King Jeongjo ordered the building of a fortress wall around the city to guard the tomb of his father in 1794, during the late Joseon period. Constructed under the guidance of philosopher Jeong Yag-yong, it was Jeongjo's unsuccessful attempt at making Suwon the nation's capital. Finished in 1796, the 5.5km-long (3 1/2-mile) wall, along with various military facilities, was severely damaged during the Korean War. Restoration work began in 1974 and was completed in 1979, with much help from records published shortly after King Jeongjo's death (although seven structures and parts of the wall have never been restored). Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, the wall used to encircle the entire city, but with Suwon's booming growth, the city now surrounds the fortress. It's best to enter at the Changnyongmun (the east gate, or Dongmun), since it's easier to find from the road than the Paldalmun (the south gate), located up the road from a shijang (market). If the weather is good and you have the time, you can walk around the entire fortress in 2 to 3 hours.