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It's also where state meetings, press conferences, and special ceremonies are held. Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a comprehensive tourist exhibition center to introduce various tourist spots of Korea. There you can find a lot of interesting information about the Blue House and the history of Korean presidents there. Cheongwadae (청와대) or more famously known as the Blue House is the place where the president of Korea lives and works.
Cheongwadae(Blue House) 청와대: What To See & How To Get There
After a Presidential decree, The Blue House was declared a public park this year, 2022, and opened to the people for the first time since it was built. You can imagine how excited citizens and tourists have been to visit. There is a limit of 6,500 people that can enter every two hours by reservation for this reason. The fourth president, Yun Bo-seon, later changed the name to Cheongwadae, meaning “The Blue House,” due to the distinctive blue tiling on the roof. Until the presidency of Yoon Suk-Yeol, all Korean presidents utilized it for official and residential purposes.
Tour of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)
It comes from the Korean nickname for Cheongwadae, which has a vivid blue-tiled roof that has remained unchanged throughout the years. Several renovations were made to improve the presidential home, but the roof has stayed on over the years. Note that the guided tours of Cheongwadae Seoul are only given to those who have made prior reservations. Also, keep in mind that the Blue House is closed on Mondays and special holidays. The largest of the Korean palaces sitting right in front of the Blue House can’t be overlooked of course.
Chungmu Room, Host Large Meetings
South Korea's disgraced Park leaves Blue House, says truth will out - Reuters
South Korea's disgraced Park leaves Blue House, says truth will out.
Posted: Sun, 12 Mar 2017 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It’s quite a secluded place, and was heavily restricted for a long time. The only thing passersby could see were the buildings and pavilions that had the iconic blue tiles formed to honor traditional Korean architecture. When the Republic of Korea was established in 1948, the first president Syngman Rhee renamed the building to “Gyeong Mu Dae” and he used it as an office as well as a place of residence. The fourth president of South Korea, Yun Bo-seon, changed the name to Cheongwadae, which literally means “The Blue House” after the signature blue tiling on the roof. The land that the Blue House is on was originally a royal villa in Hanyang, the capital of the Goryeo Dynasty. Once Joseon took over and Gyeongbokgung Palace was built, it became the back garden of the palace.
Once the site of a royal garden, the Japanese built the official residence for their governors-general there during Tokyo’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. After Korea was liberated from Japan in 1945, the U.S. military commander occupied the place until it became South Korea’s official presidential office and residence upon the country’s foundation in 1948. Cheong Wa Dae was built upon the site of the royal garden of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). While the Blue House served as an executive office, it was one of the most protected official residences in Asia. Upon the inauguration of President Yoon Suk Yeol in May 2022, Cheong Wa Dae was relieved of its duties as the official residence and executive office of the president. The president's office and residence were moved to the Ministry of National Defense building in the Yongsan District of Seoul, and Cheong Wa Dae was fully converted into a public park.
It’s the building that has the blue tiles on the roof that gave the property its name. It has been used as the official presidential office since it was built in 1911 to 2022. Since it’s been opened to the public, it’s been made into a museum of the lives of presidents while they used this space. The Blue House has gone through multiple transformations over the years. Once the site of a royal garden, the Japanese built the official residence for their governors-general there during Tokyo's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. After Korea was liberated from Japan in 1945, the US military commander occupied the place until it became South Korea’s official presidential office and residence upon the country’s foundation in 1948.
Map of Key Attractions at Cheong Wa Dae
Acknowledging its historical significance, the state formally recognized and designated it as a Treasure on April 20, 2018. This is a long-standing pavilion preserving many historical and cultural values of Korea. It was moved in 1989 during the construction of the Cheong Wa Dae Presidential Residence and is recognized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as a Tangible Cultural Heritage. Each room has its own story, and in the Mugunghwa Room, you can check out a display featuring all the First Ladies of South Korea.
On the day of the tour
You should give them your passport; they check your application and issue a number. The bus ride from the palace to the Blue House last for about 10 minutes. Before entering the place, you go through a security check after which you will receive a small gift.. The garden covers an area of 3, 300 m2 and is populated by 120 different tree species planted by former Presidents. Located in the center of the garden, the umbrella pine tree is more than 160 years old and about 17m tall.
Bus or Subway to Cheongwadae
The Blue House is believed to get its name from the Korean nickname for Cheongwadae, characterized by its enduring blue-tiled roof. Despite various renovations enhancing the presidential residence, the iconic blue roof has remained a constant. Interestingly, dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, there was a belief that a home with a blue roof symbolized wealth. This choice of a blue-tiled roof for the Blue House might be a historical expression symbolizing the nation’s prosperity.
With this change in policy, the Blue House is expected to welcome up to 39,000 people a day, an increase from the 1,500 visitors that the guided tours currently handle. Yoon, however, started his first day earlier this month as president in Yongsan, and the ex-presidential office was opened to the public that same day. Actually, civilians are not permitted to enter the buildings, but you can get a closer look of the area. The government organizes free tours of Cheongwadae and the surrounding area for Koreans and foreigners. To make reservations online, you will need to visit the official website of the Blue House and navigate to the reservation page.
Because of its popularity, the line here is often so long, so if you find it too long, you can visit other locations first and then return here at the end of your Cheongwadae journey. ➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport. Chunchugwan (Spring & Autumn Hall) - Built to be used as a press conference venue for the President and as a reporting room for reporters. Arrive to the meeting place at least 20 minutes before your tour starts. They will not wait for you and will not let you join midway because you missed the instructions. The park is also pretty big, so never lose sight of your tour guide and follow their instructions.
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