Do you know about the old Cheongwadae located on the hills of Bugaksan, north of Gyeongbokgung Palace? After 74 years, on May 10, 2022, it opened to public visits and is now attracting a lot of people. Check out our blog to learn more about the attractions inside Cheongwadae and how to reserve your visit!
Do you want to explore Cheongwadae's photo-worthy locations and delve into Korea's historical events with a certified tour guide from the Korea Tourism Organization? Consider applying for a Tour Mate!
⏰ A Korean phone number is required for reservation. Your Mate will book the desired time on your behalf.
📝 Listen to lively stories, from hidden historical events to the achievements of past presidents at Cheongwadae.
📸 Your Mate will guide you through the Cheongwadae, revealing great photo spots, including hidden gems!
The Blue House (Cheongwadae) Tour with Tour Mate
Information
Hours: 9:00-18:00, Closed on Tuesdays
Address: 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 청와대로 1
Admission is free but reservation is required.
History of Cheongwadae
Cheongwadae has a history dating back to 1426 when it served as the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. During the Japanese colonial period in 1939, it was reconstructed as the residence for the Governor-General of Korea.
First President, Syngman Rhee
In 1948, as South Korea was established, Syngman Rhee, and his spouse moved into the Blue House, which became the official residence and is now commonly referred to as Cheongwadae.
The 4th President, Yun Bo-seon
In 1960, the name was changed to the current 'Cheongwadae' by the 4th President, Yun Bo-seon. In English, it is sometimes referred to as the Blue House, similar to the White House in the United States. In the media, it is also abbreviated in Chinese characters and written as '파란색' (blue).
How did it become a public attraction?
In 2022, President Yoon Suk-yeol moved the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, citing the need to reduce the perceived distance from the people and the impractical size of Cheongwadae. With his inauguration, Cheongwadae became open to the public!
How to Reserve
When you visit the official website, you'll find two buttons: one for the homepage on the left and another for '관람 신청' (Visit Request) on the right. Choose the right one to proceed with the reservation.
Select '예약신청' (Reservation) and enter your desired date, time slot, and the number of people (up to 6 for regular visitors). Complete the self-verification process. On the next screen, a barcode will appear, allowing you to enter the venue on the chosen day by scanning the barcode at the entrance.
Starting from June 12, 2023, foreigners, seniors aged 65 and above, and individuals with disabilities can apply for on-site visits at the main information center from 9:00-13:30. Please note that details are subject to change, and for the latest information, check the official website. check out our Tour Mate service for easy reservation!
The Blue House (Cheongwadae) Tour with Tour Mate
Our Visit
We've visited Cheongwadae in mid-June on the weekend. Despite opening to the public on May 10, it is still popular, and the only time slot we could secure was 16:30–18:00.
We were surprised by the long lines to tour the main building, Yeongbingwan, and the presidential residence! Although we estimated a 30-minute to 1-hour wait, it only took about 10–20 minutes to get inside. For a more relaxed experience, you may consider visiting on less busy weekdays!
Yeongbingwan (Number 2 in the map)
There are a total of three entrances, and you can enter and exit from any of them. Upon scanning the barcode received when reserving, we entered the building. This building has hosted official events and banquets, including those for foreign dignitaries. It has been used for large-scale meetings and receptions for more than 100 people. The interior featured a golden color scheme, with a very high ceiling, creating a grand and opulent atmosphere.
The Main Building (Number 1 in the map)
The main building has primarily served as the President's and First Lady's offices. Although it may appear divided into three sections from a distance, it is connected by corridors, allowing visitors to tour rooms with ease.
Upon entering, you'll be greeted by this grand staircase that can be quite impressive!
Chungmu Hall
Chungmu Hall, located to the right as you head towards the 1st floor, has been used for various purposes such as appointments, hosting dinners with foreign guests, and showcasing performances.
Inwang Hall
This room in the main building, adorned with Western-style interior despite many Korean elements present throughout Cheongwadae, has been used for smaller-scale meetings, meals, press conferences, and similar events.
Now let's go up and explore the 2nd floor!
The President's Office and The Reception Room
The main attraction in the main building is the President's office where the President works diligently every day! The 2nd floor of the main building is primarily dedicated to this office and the reception room.
When combined with the adjacent reception room, the area is said to be six times larger than the office space in the relocated presidential residence in Yongsan!
Mugunghwa Room
Continuing down the stairs and moving towards the left, you'll find the First Lady's office named after the national flower of Korea, Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon). The walls are adorned with portraits of former First Ladies. It's worth noting that the Yongsan presidential residence does not have a separate office for the First Lady!
In front of the main building, a well-maintained lawn stretches out. Although entry is restricted, visitors often take commemorative photos with the entire main building in the background.
Sangchunjae (Number 5 in the map)
Sangchunjae is introduced to foreign dignitaries visiting Cheongwadae, showcasing a traditional Korean house (Hanok) and hosting diplomatic events. Surrounded by lush gardens and a flowing stream, it provides a beautiful natural setting!
Nokjiwon
In Nokjiwon, you'll find a diverse collection of over 120 trees and memorial trees for past presidents. The central pine tree with an impressive age of 150 years is definitely noteworthy!
The Presidential Residence (Number 3 in the map)
The presidential residence, where the President and their family reside, is nestled deeper into the mountains, and unfortunately, we couldn't explore it due to time constraints. However, visitors can tour the traditional Korean houses around! We've heard it's even more beautiful at night when illuminated!
Chunugwan (Number 8 in the map)
Chunugwan, completed in 1990, has been used as the presidential press conference hall and the press filing room for journalists. The spot where the President stands during press conferences has also been recreated which allows for commemorative photos!
Right in front, there used to be a helicopter pad, but now a small tent is set up, serving as both a photo spot and a resting area. And this was the end of our tour!
How to Get There
There is no subway station directly around Cheongwadae, and the nearest station is Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3, which is approximately a 17-minute walk away.
You can exit from Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station, you can walk straight to the Gyeongbokgung Station bus stop. From there, you can take bus numbers 1020 or 1711 to shorten the walking distance.
Alternatively, you can ride a bicycle along Gyeongbokgung, and you'll arrive in just 4 minutes. I recommend using Seoul's public bike service, '따릉이.' There is a 따릉이 rental station at Exit 4 or 7 of Gyeongbokgung Station, and you can return the bike at the Hyoja-dong intersection, where the entrance to Cheongwadae is located.
Also check out our Tour Mate service for Cheongwadae Tour!
The Blue House (Cheongwadae) Tour with Tour Mate
We hope that you enjoyed our review of Cheongwadae! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!
