- 韓国旅行情報の専門サイト
- ソウル・釜山などのホテル、エステ、現地ツアーの格安予約。グルメ・ショッピング・観光スポットのおすすめ情報。割引クーポンや口コミも満載。
We will introduce Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul as a place for Japanese tourists to visit with their children.
Cheong Wa Dae has been open to the public since May 10, 2022.
Cheong Wa Dae
- Address: 1 Cheongwadaero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Opening hours: Daily 09:00-18:00 (closes at 17:30 from December to February). Closed every Tuesday
- Homepage (Korean): www.opencheongwadae.kr
- Homepage (Japanese): Seoul City Sightseeing Tour
Cheong Wa Dae is the official residence and workplace of the President of South Korea. As the place where the President works, it holds significant symbolic meaning as one of the centers of South Korean politics. Its characteristic feature is the traditional Korean-style tiled roof, meaning "Blue Tiled House".
1. Reservation Methods
The reservation methods differ for Koreans and Japanese.
Koreans can make reservations through the Cheong Wa Dae homepage.
You can select a visit date within one month. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and individuals can reserve for up to 10 people.
Unless you are eligible for on-site application, you must make a reservation in advance through the Cheong Wa Dae homepage. Same-day on-site registration is possible, but only for those aged 65 or older, people with disabilities, national merit recipients, and foreign nationals themselves. A maximum of 2,000 people can apply for on-site registration per day.
Japanese visitors can make reservations through travel agency websites.
- 韓国旅行情報の専門サイト
- ソウル・釜山などのホテル、エステ、現地ツアーの格安予約。グルメ・ショッピング・観光スポットのおすすめ情報。割引クーポンや口コミも満載。
2. Getting to Cheong Wa Dae
1) By Car
There is no parking lot inside Cheong Wa Dae. If you are using a car, you can park at the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae parking lot and the Chuncheongmun public parking lot. Due to traffic congestion, we recommend using public transportation.
2) Public Transportation
Subway
- 15-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3
- 10-minute walk from Exit 1 of Anguk Station on Line 3
Bus
- 8-minute walk after getting off at the Hyojadong bus stop (buses 1020, 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022, 7212)
- 4-minute walk after getting off at the Cheong Wa Dae or Chuncheongmun bus stop (bus 01A)
The circular bus operates at 30-minute intervals from 09:00 to 18:00.
We took a taxi to the Cheong Wa Dae bus stop. When we visited on a Saturday afternoon, the area around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheong Wa Dae was crowded. On the way to Cheong Wa Dae, we saw ginkgo trees turning yellow. The Gyeongbokgung Palace stone wall on the right added to the atmosphere.
As we walked up a bit, the roof of Cheong Wa Dae appeared in the distance.
There were more visitors than we expected. On the left, on-site reservations are possible at a pink building.
We had made a reservation, so we went straight up.
To enter, you must go through a security checkpoint.
Flammable materials are not allowed into Cheong Wa Dae, and lighters are also prohibited.
Although it says you need to show your ID upon entry, they didn't check everyone's ID.
We showed our reservation barcode and entered.
This is the main photo zone when entering through the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae.
The phrase "Cheong Wa Dae, in the hands of the people" can be seen throughout Cheong Wa Dae. I wanted to take a picture, but there were too many people waiting, so I passed.
Going left from the main building, you'll find the line to enter the main building.
Cheong Wa Dae is large, so please check the route map in the guidebook and move accordingly.
This is the queue to enter the main building. Seeing how many people were waiting, I even considered just leaving, but decided to wait.
There was a sign saying it would take about 30 minutes at the far left, but it only took about 15 minutes.
Presidential Office of the Blue House
On the first floor of the main building is the Sejong Hall, where the Cabinet Meeting, which deliberates on important government policies, is held. It's as splendid as it looks on TV. Inside, there are portraits of past presidents.
Going up to the second floor via the stairs, you'll find the President's office and the reception room, where the President meets with foreign dignitaries.
Leaving the main building and going up to the right, you'll find the residence.
The path leading up to the main building in Cheong Wa Dae has a slope, but the path to the residence is even steeper. If you visit Cheong Wa Dae, wear comfortable sneakers.
The residence is where the President and their family lived, separating the work and private spaces. It features traditional wooden architecture with blue tiles, with the main living quarters and a separate reception hall arranged in a reverse-L shape.
The gate to the residence has the inscription "Insumun (仁壽門)", which means "Gate of Benevolence and Longevity".
Cheong Wa Dae recommends a tree-viewing course, and there are well-maintained walking paths, making it a great place for a stroll. On the day of our visit, we enjoyed the beautiful autumn leaves and had a relaxing time.
The Nokjiwon Garden, created in 1968, is a lawn garden with over 120 species of trees and commemorative trees planted by past presidents. In the center is a 170-year-old Korean pine tree. Behind it is Sangchunjae, which means "House where spring always stays." It was built to introduce traditional Korean houses to state guests and to be used as a small event venue.
We planned to tour the Cheong Wa Dae main building, but it's large and has many attractions that took a lot of time. It's a good idea to check the route in advance. There are many uphill paths and a lot of walking, so please wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
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