Suwon Cultural Foundation

The Beacon Tower in Hwaseong Fortress was constructed on June 17, 1796, as an integral part of the fortified architecture, not as an independent tower on top of a mountain as typically seen in Korean fortresses. This brick tower of Hwaseong Fortress is representative of the high degree of aesthetic refinement that marks the overall workmanship of the site. In normal times, a beacon signal of smoke or fire from the southernmost fire chimney of the tower was sent to the beacon towers at Mt. Seokseong of Yongin and Heungcheondae. Only in an emergency were the other four fire chimneys lit.