The fortress of Hwaseong, located 30 km south of Seoul, was built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo (1752-1800), in order to guard the tomb of his father the Crown Prince Sado.
The massive wall, between 4 and 6 meters high, has a total length of 5.7 km. The fortress has 41 defensive facilities (originally 48) like artillery towers, watch towers, bastions, gates, bunkers, as well as four main gates.