Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)

청와대

A presidential complex behind Gyeongbokgung where the president resumed work on 29 December 2025. Check official visitor announcements from Cheong Wa Dae or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before planning a public tour.

Language

The Blue House's main hall set among autumn foliage, with Mount Bukhan behind it

Place information

Korean name: 청와대
Address: 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours notes: Segye Ilbo quoted the Cheongwadae Foundation as announcing that public tours would be suspended from 1 August 2025 for security, safety and facilities checks ahead of the presidential office's return. As of Edaily's report dated 17 September 2026, tours had not resumed; the report quoted the Presidential Secretariat's plan to pursue reopening during 2027 after facilities work. The precise timing, scope and operating arrangements had not been settled. Check dated official announcements from Cheong Wa Dae or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for access on your travel date.
Time needed: 2 hours

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Nearby

National Folk Museum of Korea

Attached to Gyeongbokgung's north-east side, and about ordinary households rather than the court. Its hours split by season — November to February it shuts an hour earlier — so a winter afternoon spent on the palace first leaves too little for it.

Tongin Market

Plan around the lunchbox cafe rather than the market: it closes on Tuesdays and stops selling tokens well before the market itself shuts.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Treat Bukchon as a lived-in neighborhood, not an outdoor theme park: keep voices low and follow the restricted visiting hours in the red zone.

National Palace Museum of Korea

A national museum inside Gyeongbokgung's walls, at the south-west corner. It holds what the buildings alone cannot show — royal seals, the court protocol records, palanquins, the water clock. Saturdays and the last Wednesday of each month are the only nights it stays open to 21:00.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still go to the area around Cheongwadae?

Visiting the surrounding roads and nearby attractions is separate from touring the Cheongwadae grounds. Access within the grounds has not been confirmed, so follow on-site guidance around the complex.

What should I see instead?

Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village and Jongmyo Shrine are all within walking distance of each other and all publish their opening information.

Stories about this place

Gwangjang, Noryangjin, Lotte World, Cheongwadae: What to Check First
Gwangjang Market, the Noryangjin Fisheries Market auction, Lotte World and Cheongwadae are well-known names in Seoul; this sets out what to check before you put each in a plan. Gwangjang's food alley trades five hours later than the market and opens on Sundays, the Noryangjin auction does not run on Sundays and its start time is given two ways, the 3,000-won gap between two Lotte World tickets is a museum, and visiting Cheongwadae requires checking dated announcements about the resumption of tours.

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