Buzz
Similar to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or the White House in the United States, the residence of the South Korean President - Cheong Wa Dae - attracts the attention of numerous international tourists. It's not only where high-level government meetings take place but also a prominent tourist destination in the land of Kimchi.
The Blue House
Discovering the residence of the South Korean President. @KoreanAir_KE
1. Overview of Cheong Wa Dae
The residence of the country's highest authority always attracts curiosity from the public and foreign tourists alike. Therefore, since reopening on May 10, 2022, the Blue House has become a top tourist destination in South Korea. Situated in Jongno-gu district, it enjoys a prime location near Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bugaksan Mountain, one of the four mountains surrounding the historic city of Seoul. From the garden area in front of the President's office, visitors can admire the breathtaking view of Namsan Tower in the distance.
Many tourists have visited Cheong Wa Dae since its reopening. @heraldm
This area was once chosen as the Royal Palace during the Goryeo dynasty, and during the Joseon dynasty, it became the rear garden of the palace. With scenery harmonizing with nature, it was once again chosen as the residence of the country's top authority after the April 1960 coup. Since then, South Korea's presidential residence was renamed Cheongwadae, meaning 'Blue Roof House.'
Iconic blue roof building image. @Times Now
The complex includes various components such as the main office, government guesthouse, Chunchugwan Hall, Nokjiwon Garden, Mugunghwa Hill, and Chilgung Palace. Since May 10, 2022, after President Yoon Suk-yeol relocated the office to Yongsan, the Blue House officially reopened to the public for visits. Today, visitors can explore the exterior grounds and even areas that were previously not open to tourism activities.
The project comprises various categories. @buzzsetter
2. Beautiful check-in spots at the Blue House
This location attracts tourists with the beauty of buildings designed in traditional Korean style. In addition to the unique and beautiful architecture, the exterior grounds of Cheong Wa Dae also feature a historical exhibition room and a lush garden. Explore the details of these stunning photo spots with Mytour below!
Main Office Building
This building boasts an impressive roof made from 150,000 blue tiles, inspiring its name, the Blue House. It houses the President's office and reception area on the second floor, while the First Lady's office is located on the first floor.
Exterior space of the main office building. @heraldm
The structure features ancient architecture in the traditional Hanok style with the backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain. Inside the building are ceremonial rooms where many important meetings take place, making historical decisions for the nation of South Korea.
Interior area of the building. @heraldm
Official Residence of the President
The mansion was once the residence of the president's family and is rarely disclosed to the public. The overall structure includes various sections such as residential areas, reception areas, annexes, guest rooms, event venues, and gardens.
The house is designed in traditional architectural style. @globalatlanta
From afar, you can easily notice the mansion consisting of 2 beautiful buildings built in the Hanok style. Many tourists have captured beautiful check-in photos in the front garden with the backdrop of the ancient mansion behind.
Yingbingwan
The Government Guest House is where welcoming receptions, state-level meetings, and many important cultural performances are held. The exterior of the building features impressive granite columns, reflecting classical style. Through the large windows in the foyer, you can admire the luxurious interior furnishings. Built since 1978, Yeongbingwan is the oldest building among those designed in modern style at the Blue House.
Yingbingwan serves as the venue for welcoming receptions and state-level meetings. @Jennifer Hyejin Oh
Nokjiwon Garden
This garden is famous for its 170-year-old pine tree and three Korean red pine trees, often seen in tourists' check-in photos. It is situated between the main office building and the presidential residence area. With around 120 types of trees planted around the 170-year-old pine tree, it is praised as the most beautiful garden at Cheong Wa Dae.
The lawn area is where many outdoor events such as press conferences or concerts take place. In spring, annual events like Children's Day, Parents' Day, and Disabled Persons' Day are also held at Nokjiwon Garden. Additionally, visitors can find commemorative trees planted by former South Korean presidents themselves.
The lawn area is where many outdoor events take place. @heraldm
Sugungteo
Sugungteo was built in 1939 during the Japanese occupation and served as the residence of the Governor-General. Previously, it also served as the representative building of the Blue House, where the president met with high-ranking foreign officials and hosted many important government meetings. Near the building stands a nearly 700-year-old pine tree with impressive wide branches, serving as the focal point for tourists' check-in photos when visiting this area.
A picturesque check-in spot at Sugungteo area. @christravelstheworld
Sangchunjae
Sangchunjae is a beautiful traditional Hanok house located in front of Nokjiwon Garden, meaning 'eternal spring.' It showcases the unique beauty of traditional Korean architecture and is constructed from 200-year-old pine trees planted in Chunyang-myeon. The structure consists of a living room and two bedrooms with a modern underfloor heating system.
Sangchunjae is a beautiful Nanok house. @Jennifer Hyejin Oh
Chimnyugak
Chimnyugak Pavilion, built from the early 1900s, stands between Chunchumun Gate and the main office building. It was once considered an auxiliary structure of Gyeongbokgung Palace and is now recognized as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul.
Chimnyugak has been recognized as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul. @visitseoul
Chunchugwan
Chunchugwan Press Center is where press conferences are held and also serves as the residence for some special journalists. Its name originates from the departments responsible for preserving historical records during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. The street to the left of Chunchugwan features a detailed historical plaque about Cheong Wa Dae.
Chunchugwan Press Center is the venue for major press conferences. @creatrip
3. Most Convenient Transportation Options
Traveling from Vietnam to South Korea
Currently, you can easily purchase flight tickets to Seoul departing from three major airports in Vietnam: Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang Airport, and Tan Son Nhat Airport. For convenient travel to Cheong Wa Dae, tourists should choose to land at Incheon Airport, which is approximately 45km from downtown Seoul. The average flight time from Hanoi to Seoul is about 6 hours, and if departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the travel time will be 6 hours and 55 minutes.
To reach the city center, tourists can choose to take a taxi or the Arex Express subway train. The subway ticket price ranges from 1,200 to 1,500 won, while the Arex Express train costs 12,000 won with a faster travel time. Additionally, you can also utilize Mytour's airport transfer service to ensure peace of mind about your journey and without worrying about ticket prices.
High-speed train to Seoul's capital. @divui
Traveling to Cheong Wa Dae
Accommodation near Cheong Wa Dae
From the capital's city center, tourists can easily travel to this destination. @Teller Report
4. Hotels near Cheong Wa Dae
Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun
Located in the heart of Seoul's capital, Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun is a hotel under the Samsung Group offering modern accommodations and contemporary resort amenities. Staying at this Seoul hotel, you can easily access famous landmarks in the city as it is only a 10-minute walk from Jonggak and Gwanghwamun subway stations.
Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun offers modern accommodations. @Booked
AMID HOTEL SEOUL
Located in Jongno-Gu district, the 4-star AMID HOTEL SEOUL is situated next to the famous Insa-dong Maru restaurant of Korea and approximately 1.2 km from Cheong Wa Dae. With 250 well-equipped rooms and a 24/7 bar counter, this place promises guests a fantastic resort experience in the heart of Seoul. Additionally, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast at the dining area or hold parties and meetings right at the hotel's service center.
Modern space at Centermark Hotel Seoul. @Hotelmix
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
As a 29-story building in the capital Seoul, Four Seasons Hotel boasts impressive beauty, resembling a majestic palace reinterpreted with a modern twist of the 21st century. Surrounded by lush hills and located near many historical landmarks of the capital, it allows travelers to experience the dynamic yet traditionally intertwined beauty of Seoul. Staying here, guests will experience the 'four seasons' at the spa area, swimming pool, or indulge in the unique culinary flavors of each season.
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul exudes impressive beauty. @KAYAK
Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong
Located just 0.9km from Cheong Wa Dae, this hotel is an ideal accommodation choice allowing you to easily visit many other famous attractions in the city. The rooms here are fully equipped with modern amenities such as TV, refrigerator, high-speed Internet, safe, sofa, etc. Additionally, some rooms at Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong offer stunning panoramic views of Seoul.
Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong offers stunning panoramic views of Seoul. @Hotelmix
Moreover, you can also explore other hotels in major cities in South Korea on Mytour.
Cheong Wa Dae
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