The 2026 Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening, called Dalbit Hwadam (달빛화담), runs from May 1 to November 1, 2026 at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace (화성행궁) in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. The palace opens after dark every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on public holidays, from 18:00 to 21:30. Ticket sales and entry close at 21:00. Admission costs 2,000 KRW (~$1.50 USD) for adults, 1,500 KRW (~$1.10 USD) for teens and military personnel, and 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) for children.
What Is the Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening (Dalbit Hwadam)?
Hwaseong Haenggung was shaped by King Jeongjo’s grand ambitions and his deep devotion to his father. Of all the temporary royal palaces (haenggung) in Korea, it is considered the largest and the most formal. Many people say it is as beautiful as Gyeongbokgung.
This year’s night opening is named Dalbit Hwadam (달빛화담), roughly “flower talk by moonlight,” and its theme is “stories of flowers under the moonlight.” It is Suwon’s signature nighttime tourism program. Floral sculptures and lighting installations make the palace grounds glow, lively in some corners and calm in others. As you walk the flower-lined paths under soft lights, you get a feel for the palace’s history, its natural setting, and the spirit of the Joseon era.
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening 2026: Dates and Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | Friday, May 1 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Operating days | Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday (not open daily) |
| Hours | 18:00 – 21:30 |
| Last ticket sales & entry | 21:00 |
| Venue | Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, 825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Namchang-dong) (경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825, 남창동) |
| Age | All ages |
The Suwon Cultural Foundation’s notice gives the closing date as “11.4. (Sun).” November 4, 2026 is a Wednesday, though, so the weekday doesn’t match. Suwon City’s tourism website lists “11.1. (Sun)” instead, so November 1 (Sunday) is most likely the correct final day.
As of October 20, two weekends are left: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, and Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1. During the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (October 3–11), hours were extended to 22:00. That extension has ended, and the night opening is back to its usual 18:00–21:30.
Daytime visits run from 09:00 to 18:00, every day of the year.
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening Programs
The main draw is a media art exhibition with 3D holograms and laser shows. Several side programs also run alongside it: a royal tea experience hosted in the name of Lady Hyegyeong, a palace walk with local resident actors, and special cultural commentary sessions.
Side Programs at a Glance
| Program | What It Is | Dates & Times | Fee | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Hyegyeong Tea Experience (혜경궁 홍씨 다과체험) | Tasting of royal court refreshments (bangwa) plus a small concert | Fri, Sep 4 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Fridays & Saturdays 19:00–20:30 | 50,000 KRW (~$38 USD) for 2 / 70,000 KRW (~$53 USD) for 3 | Advance booking on NOL Ticket (놀티켓) |
| Palace Walk with Resident Actors (주민배우와 함께하는 고궁산책) | A palace tour in which local resident actors act out scenes and explain the history | Fri, Sep 4 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Fridays & Saturdays 19:00–20:30 | Free | Advance booking on Naver |
| Special Cultural Tourism Commentary (특별 문화관광해설) | Commentary by a cultural tourism interpreter, from Sinpungnu Gate to Seojangdae Command Post | Every Fri–Sun & public holidays, 18:00 / 20:00 | Free | Book on the Suwon Cultural Foundation website |
The tea experience and the palace walk both end on Saturday, October 31. The remaining dates are Friday, October 23; Saturday, October 24; Friday, October 30; and Saturday, October 31. Both require advance booking, so reserve ahead.
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening Tickets
| Category | Admission |
|---|---|
| Adults | 2,000 KRW (~$1.50 USD) |
| Teens & military personnel | 1,500 KRW (~$1.10 USD) |
| Children | 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) |
On “Culture Day” (문화가 있는 날), the last Wednesday of each month, admission is usually free, but that offer does not apply to the night opening. The night opening is also closed on Wednesdays, since it runs only Friday through Sunday and on public holidays.
How to Get to Hwaseong Haenggung
From Seoul
| Departure | Transport | Get Off At | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamsil Station | Express bus 1007 | Yeomingak stop | About a 5-minute walk |
| Gangnam Station | Express bus 3000 | Paldalmun stop | About a 5-minute walk |
| Sadang Station | Express bus 7000 or 7001 → transfer at Kyonggi University Back Gate/Suwon Museum stop to city bus 700-2, 7-2, or 60 | Yeomingak stop | About a 5-minute walk |
Official sources do not list bus travel times or fares.
From Suwon Station, Maegyo Station, or the Bus Terminal
Suwon Station is served by Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1 and the Suin-Bundang Line. From the Hwaseong Haenggung bus stop, the palace is about a 5-minute walk.
| Starting Point | Bus | Get Off At |
|---|---|---|
| Suwon Station Exit 4 | City bus 11 or 13 | Hwaseong Haenggung/Suwon Seongji (화성행궁/수원성지) |
| Across from Suwon Station Exit 7 | 60 or 7-2 | Hwaseong Haenggung |
| Suwon Station Transfer Center | 700-2 | Hwaseong Haenggung |
| Maesan Market stop, Suwon Station Exit 9 | 11, 13, 46, 50-2, or 50-5 | Hwaseong Haenggung/Suwon Seongji |
| Maegyo Station (Suin-Bundang Line) Exit 7 | 112, 25, 25-2, or 25-5 | Hwaseong Haenggung/Suwon Seongji |
| Suwon Bus Terminal (수원종합버스터미널) | 64 or 112 | Hwaseong Haenggung/Suwon Seongji |
From Busan or the Airports
Official sources do not cover routes or taxi fares from Busan, Incheon International Airport, or Gimhae International Airport. For those trips, call the 1330 Travel Hotline, which runs 24 hours a day with foreign-language support.
Hwaseong Haenggung Parking
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 18 Haenggung-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon (38-6 Namchang-dong) (수원시 팔달구 행궁로 18, 남창동 38-6) |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Payment | Card only |
| Compact car rate | 900 KRW (~$0.70 USD) for the first 30 minutes, then 400 KRW (~$0.30 USD) per 10 minutes |
| Day pass | 14,000 KRW (~$10.50 USD) |
| Discounts | Free for persons of national merit and people with disability grades 1–3; 50% off for grades 4–6 (proof required) |
| Contact | 031-290-3634 |
More Night Programs Around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Performances by the Saebit Culture & Arts Club (새빛문화예술클럽) also take place around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress during the same period. They’re easy to add before or after your palace visit.
| Program | Schedule | Venue | What It Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hwahong Pungnyu (화홍풍류, 華虹風流) | Fridays & Saturdays at dusk, through Saturday, Oct 31 | Around Yongyeon Pond, Suwon Hwaseong (Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion) | Traditional Korean music (gugak) performance |
| Simin-ui Meari (시민의 메아리) | Fridays & Saturdays at dusk, through Saturday, Oct 31 | Eoul Stage, Jeongjo Theme Performance Hall | Performance |
For inquiries, call 031-290-3544.
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening Tips
- Go on an operating day. The night opening runs only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. On a weekday evening the palace is not open after dark.
- Arrive before 21:00. The grounds stay open until 21:30, but ticket sales and entry stop at 21:00.
- Time your visit around the commentary. The free Special Cultural Tourism Commentary starts at 18:00 and 20:00 and goes from Sinpungnu Gate to Seojangdae. Book it on the Suwon Cultural Foundation website.
- Bring a card for parking. The Hwaseong Haenggung parking lot does not accept cash.
- Call 1330 if you need help in another language. The 1330 Travel Hotline offers foreign-language support 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening run?
It runs until Sunday, November 1, 2026. The Suwon Cultural Foundation’s notice lists the end date as “11.4. (Sun),” but that weekday doesn’t match the date. Suwon City’s tourism website gives November 1 (Sunday).
What days and hours is the Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening open?
It opens every Friday through Sunday and on public holidays, from 18:00 to 21:30. Ticket sales and entry close at 21:00. It is closed Monday through Thursday.
How much does the Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening cost?
Tickets are 2,000 KRW (~$1.50 USD) for adults, 1,500 KRW (~$1.10 USD) for teens and military personnel, and 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) for children. The free admission on “Culture Day,” the last Wednesday of each month, does not apply to the night opening.
How do I book the Lady Hyegyeong Tea Experience?
Book it in advance on NOL Ticket. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 20:30 between September 4 and October 31, 2026. The fee is 50,000 KRW (~$38 USD) for two people or 70,000 KRW (~$53 USD) for three.
How do I get from Suwon Station to Hwaseong Haenggung by bus?
From Suwon Station Exit 4, take city bus 11 or 13 and get off at the Hwaseong Haenggung/Suwon Seongji stop. You can also take bus 60 or 7-2 from across Exit 7, or bus 700-2 from the Suwon Station Transfer Center. From the stop, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
Where is the Hwaseong Haenggung parking lot, and how much does it cost?
The Hwaseong Haenggung parking lot is at 18 Haenggung-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, and it’s open 24 hours. Compact cars pay 900 KRW (~$0.70 USD) for the first 30 minutes and 400 KRW (~$0.30 USD) for every 10 minutes after that. A day pass costs 14,000 KRW (~$10.50 USD). Payment is by card only.
How do I get from Seoul to Hwaseong Haenggung?
Take an express (gwangyeok) bus. From Jamsil Station, ride bus 1007 to the Yeomingak stop. From Gangnam Station, ride bus 3000 to the Paldalmun stop. Either way, the palace is about a 5-minute walk from where you get off.
Are there any free programs?
Yes, the Special Cultural Tourism Commentary and the Palace Walk with Resident Actors are both free. Book the commentary on the Suwon Cultural Foundation website and the palace walk on Naver. Palace admission is charged separately.
Contact Information
| Contact | Phone / Website |
|---|---|
| Night opening inquiries (Suwon City Tourism) | 031-290-3612 |
| Suwon Cultural Foundation, Tourism Department | 031-290-3613 |
| Suwon Cultural Foundation main line | 031-290-3600 |
| Official website | https://www.swcf.or.kr/ |
