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

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

1.5Km    2024-10-30

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)

1.5Km    2024-11-28

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".

Seoul Hiking Tourism Center - Bugaksan Branch (서울도심등산관광센터(북악산))

Seoul Hiking Tourism Center - Bugaksan Branch (서울도심등산관광센터(북악산))

1.5Km    2024-03-05

88 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Bugaksan branch of Seoul Hiking Tourism Center is located on Samcheong-dong Culture Street and provides various services to hikers. It provides hiking course guidance and information (available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese) about the mountains of Seoul, including Bukhansan, Bugaksan, and Inwangsan Mountains, as well as promotional materials such as Seoul hiking tourism guidebooks and maps. Also, it operates hiking tour programs with various themes every week for foreigners and offers hiking gear rental services such as hiking boots, hiking attire, trekking poles, gloves, and crampons for foreigners. (Koreans accompanied by foreigners can also rent the gear.) In addition, there is a storage locker and lounge for visitors, so they can pack up and rest before hiking.

Myeongdong Guesthouse Como (명동게스트하우스 꼬모)

Myeongdong Guesthouse Como (명동게스트하우스 꼬모)

1.5Km    2024-12-23

12 , Toegye-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5437

Como is a guesthouse in Jongno-gu, Seoul, just 3-minute’s walk away from Myeongdong Station on Line 4. Como is particularly popular with foreign travelers: staff are fluent in English and Chinese, and luggage storage is free of charge. Rooms come in different sizes to cater from single travelers to family groups, and all have a separate bathroom and toilet. Must-see local sights such as Namsan Seoul Tower, Sungnyemun Gate, and Namdaemun Market are easily reached by car or bus.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

1.5Km    2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi (순라길 예 & 비비)

Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi (순라길 예 & 비비)

1.5Km    2025-01-23

55 Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
02-3672-1599

Situated in Sulla-gil, the Sulla-gil Yeah Café & Bibi is a roaster café where each bean is handpicked. It also offers a range of wine selections. The café is a perfect place to relax after exploring downtown Seoul. The cozy atmosphere of the café with the added charm of the stone wall visible from café, makes visitors feel at ease and relaxed. The evenings here turn into a music and movie session, adding a lively atmosphere to the space.

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

1.5Km    2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-2300

Hyangnamu or 'Aromatic Tree' in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It stands 12m in x_height, measures 5.9m in girth around the roots, and has branches spreading in all four directions. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

A Moment in Time - Live Caricature & Gallery (시간을 담다)

A Moment in Time - Live Caricature & Gallery (시간을 담다)

1.5Km    2021-03-25

20-1, Samil-daero 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8895-3368

A Moment in Time adds in aspects of Korean traditions, customs, and landmarks like hanbok, Gwanghwamun Gate, and Korean mystical animals into caricature artworks, serving as an excellent souvenir for both locals and travelers. The gallery also offers hands-on programs like coloring caricature and traditional folk art. In addition, original design products from A Moment in Time are also available, making great gifts.

Manboseong (만보성)

Manboseong (만보성)

1.5Km    2021-03-26

53, Seosulla-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-8488

It is a place where you can eat a variety of Chinese dishes at reasonable prices. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sweet and sour pork.

Cheongsujeong (청수정)

1.5Km    2024-03-18

91 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheongsujeong is a traditional Korean restaurant specializing in mussel dishes near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Mussel rice is a traditional dish from Ulleungdo Island. The signature menu is the honghapbap jeongsik (mussel rice set menu), which includes mussel-infused rice served with soybean paste jjigae, various side dishes such as salads, acorn jelly, kimchi, grilled fish, and more. Additionally, they offer dishes like bulgogi deopbap (stir-fried bulgogi with rice), jeyukbokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork), and ojingeo bokkeum (stir-fried squid).