Changnyongmun Gate

Changnyongmun Gate is the east gate of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. The character 'chang' (蒼) means blue, symbolizing the 'sacred blue dragon that guards the eastern direction.' The gate is located in a recessed area when viewed from the outside, so the protruding left and right walls naturally protect the gate, serving as a bastion. The wide open space inside the gate was used as a training ground for soldiers. In Joseon Dynasty architecture, there was a certain hierarchy. Although all are gates of the same fortress, Jangnanmun and Paldalmun Gates have a high formal style, while Changnyongmun and Hwaseomun Gates are one level lower in form. Jangnanmun and Paldalmun have two-story gate pavilions with hip roofs, whereas Changnyongmun and Hwaseomun have single-story gate pavilions with gable-and-hip roofs. The barbican is open on one corner, similar to Heunginjimun Gate in Seoul. Inside the stone wall of Changnyongmun's barbican, a nameplate is well preserved, inscribed with the names of the supervisor in charge of construction and the head stonemason. The gate pavilion was destroyed during the Korean War and restored in 1976.

Address: 152 Namsu-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do