Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대) - Area information - Korea travel information

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

2.0 Km    223684     2023-03-07

1, Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1330

The signature markings of the Presidential Residence of Cheong Wa Dae are its blue tiles on the Main Office; it is the first thing to catch one's attention upon viewing the premises. Approximately 150 thousand tiles compose the roof of the Main Office. Each tile was baked individually to make them strong enough to last for hundreds of years. The blue tiles and the smoothly curving roofline blend beautifully with Bugaksan Mountain in the backdrop.

Cheong Wa Dae is comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (State Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn) Hall, Nokjiwon Garden, Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Hill, and Chilgung Palace. It is interesting to see that all the buildings are unique and beautifully designed, built in the traditional Korean style. Just outside the premises is Cheongwadae Sarangchae, an exhibition hall showing the history of Cheong Wa Dae and the Korean presidency, as well as gifts received by heads of State over the years. The hall is open and free to all visitors.

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

2.0 Km    0     2024-01-24

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

Darakjeong (다락정)

Darakjeong (다락정)

2.0 Km    340     2021-03-26

131-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-725-1697

Darakjeong has been popular for a long time because of the simple taste of its traditional Mandu (Korean stuffed dumpling). Since its opening in 1991, tasty soup and scrumptious Mandu have been served. A fist-sized Mandu is fully packed with seasoned meat, bean-curd, and various vegetables. Its thick dough makes it chewy and delightful. For one person, “Manduguk”(boiled dumpling soup) is a good choice. The delicious and nourishing taste of Mandu goes well with the sweet, spicy, and fresh taste of the soup. Manduguk is served in a brass bowl which keeps the food warm while eating. For a large-size group, “Mandujeongol” cooked with various vegetables in a casserole is recommended. There are two types of Mandujeongol that have different tastes. The main characteristic of “Kimchi Mandujeongol” is its spicy flavor, which reminds people of the refreshing taste of Kimchi soup, and “Tojang Mandujeongol” expounds on the savory taste of bean-paste soup. Tojang means folk soybean-paste. “Nokdujeon”(a Korean pan-fried dish with green mung bean) is another famous dish at Darakjeong, which is pan-fried with a very light seasoning to emphasize the original taste of Nokdu (green mung bean). Salted oysters with hot pepper are served with Nokdujeon instead of soy sauce, which is a perfect match.

The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길)

The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길)

2.0 Km    31306     2020-03-21

Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

The street in front of Cheongwadae (the Blue House) is open to the public and includes both Hyoja Samgeori (Hyoja three-way intersection) in Hyoja-dong and Palpan Samgeori (Palpan three-way inetersection) in Palpan-dong. When walking along Hyoja-ro Road from Gyeongbokgung Station, sights include a fountain, Mugunghwa Garden, Yeonmugwan Hall, and Daegogak & Yeongbingwan Hall.

Cheongwadae Sarangchae consists of one basement level and two above-ground levels, including Korean Culture Exhibition Hall, Planned Exhibition Hall, a gift shop, and rest area (Korean Food Promotion Hall, Café) on the first floor and Cheongwadae Hall and Haengboknuri Hall on the second floor. Daegogak Hall houses a book donated to former president, Kim Young-sam for expressing the past spirit of Sinmungo (Petitioner's drum from Korean History). Yeonmugwan Hall is a martial art and fitness center for guards. Mugunghwa Dongsan, formed after the ansa (Safe House) was demolished in 1993, includes a well, mock fortress, and rest area. Located behind Mugunghwa Dongsan is Apostolic Nunciature in Korea and Chilgung (Seven Palaces).

At the beginning of the street in front of Cheongwadae, dense trees and beautiful flower gardens decorating both sides of the road make it a nice place for taking a walk. The area from the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Chunchumun, to the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geonchunmun, is Samcheongdong-gil Road. This road is home to many art galleries, including Kukje Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Jin Art gallery, in the area of Hyoja-ro.

Nunnamujip (눈나무집)

Nunnamujip (눈나무집)

2.0 Km    12551     2020-06-16

136-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-6742

Nunnamujip is famous for a North Korean dish called, “Kimchi mari guksu”, which is a noodle dish in cold kimchi soup containing toasted laver, a boiled egg, and sesame. The soup is refreshingly cold and a little spicy. For “Kimchi mari bap”, a bowl of rice is put into cold kimchi soup instead of noodles. The taste is very unique. In addition to Kimchimari, “Tteokgalbi” is a popular dish on the menu as well.

The main restaurant is located in the basement, which has only limited seating capacity with a few tables. As a result, many people usually wait in line for lunch or dinner. A second franchise has opened in a three-story building across the street. To enjoy a quaint atmosphere, the first establishment is better, but the new one’s interior design is much more modern and fancier, giving it a fresh altering look.

Hangeureut (한그릇)

Hangeureut (한그릇)

2.0 Km    104     2021-03-18

136, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-5613

A store that also serves delicious meat noodles. The best menu at this restaurant is rice soup. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Z.I.Gallery (지아 衣 갤러리)

Z.I.Gallery (지아 衣 갤러리)

2.0 Km    13546     2020-04-11

76, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-1241

Z.I.Gallery is a boutique shop by the renowend designer, Zia Kim. Her works have appeared in Seoul Collection, Paris Pretaporter, department stores, and shops abroad. Visitors can purchase items with unique designs and cutomized items. It directly runs two brach stores in Gahoe-dong and Hyoja-dong. These handmade items go through meticulous quality management.

Onmaeul (온마을)

Onmaeul (온마을)

2.0 Km    20087     2021-03-22

127, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-4231

A place that sells dishes made with beans, which are good for the health. This restaurant's signature menu is pureed soybean stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

2.0 Km    3     2023-08-17

185-3, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 옥인동

Suseong-dong Valley's stream runs down from Inwangsan Mountain and joins Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it is said that the name of the village was called Suseong-dong during the Joseon dynasty due to the loud and clear sound of the flowing water. It appears in the painting "Jangdong Palgyeongcheop," which is Jangdong Eight Scenic Views, that depicts the eight scenic views of Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain as well as in other historical books of the Joseon dynasty as a place of scenic beauty. The valley was so famous for its beauty, that Prince Anpyeong of the Joseon dynasty built his house "Bihaedang" to fully enjoy the view, and the valley and its stone bridge were designated as a cultural property of Seoul in 2010. 

Cheongwadae Sarangchae (청와대사랑채)

Cheongwadae Sarangchae (청와대사랑채)

2.1 Km    35730     2023-05-26

45, Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-723-0300

Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a space where visitors can learn about Korean culture and the history of former Korean presidents. Visitors can view the hidden stories of Cheongwadae and feel the charms of touring in Korea.