Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House Korea) Tour Reservation, Opening Hours

It was my first time visiting Cheong Wa Dae, a place I had only seen on the news. It is open to both Koreans and foreigners, but the entry process is a bit different for foreigners. Here's a summary of how foreigners can reserve tickets for the Blue House in Korea, along with information on opening hours, closing days, and visiting tips.

What Is the Blue House in Korea

The Blue House, known as Cheong Wa Dae in Korean, has been the official residence and workplace of South Korea's President since 1948 until 2022.

In Korean, 'Cheong' means 'blue,' and 'Wa' means 'roof tiles.' So, Cheong Wa Dae is often referred to as the 'blue-tiled roof house.'

On May 10, 2022, President Yoon Suk-yeol, the 20th President of South Korea, moved the presidential office and residence. This change allowed the Blue House to become fully accessible to the public.

Where Does the President of South Korea Live

The official residence of the President of South Korea can be found in Hannam-dong, Seoul. The presidential executive office is now situated at the Defense Ministry compound, precisely at 22 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul.

Cheong Wa Dae Tour

Taking a tour of Cheong Wa Dae is accessible to everyone, whether you are Korean or foreign. It was my first time entering the premises. It took me approximately two hours to thoroughly explore, and I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

💪👀Here's a tip: The place is really big, and because a lot of people go there, you might have to wait in long lines to get inside the buildings. I waited for about 20 minutes to get into the main building, but some other visitors had to wait even longer, like 40 minutes or more.

Cheong Wa Dae Map

I was really, really excited to go to the Blue House. It had been closed to the public for a really long time, and the fact that even BTS had been there made me even more excited. In 2021, BTS got a special job as the Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture. They got to visit the Blue House and were given certificates for their new role.

📍 At Yeongbingwan, when foreign leaders visit Korea, important meetings and special events take place, welcoming them with traditional Korean performances and dinners.

I used to see Korean presidents meeting with foreign counterparts at this venue on the news, which was a great experience.

📍 The main building is where the President used to work, which is precisely why it's called Cheongwadae and serves as the symbol of Cheongwadae. This is where most visitors gather, and there can be a wait to get inside. I waited for about 20 minutes to enter.

There is a great view of the Blue House and its iconic blue roof set against the clear sky, lush green mountains, and vibrant grass. It's an excellent place to take photos, especially when the sun is shining brightly.

A great place to take pictures is in front of the stairs. Photography on the stairs is not permitted for safety reasons, so many people took their photos at the base.

Inside the meeting room, the traditional Korean hanok-style design is captivating, especially when contrasted with the chandeliers. Additionally, there's a designated workspace for the First Lady. Former First Lady photos are displayed on the walls.

📍 The Presidential Residence served as the home for the President and their family. I walked uphill from the main building in a leisurely 15-minute stroll, curious about their lifestyle.

We were not permitted to enter, which left all of us disappointed. However, we were able to catch glimpses through the windows. I could see the dining room and dressing room, both of which were spacious and elegant.

Cheong Wa Dae Map

How to get to Cheong Wa Dae? It's located right behind Gyeongbokgung Palace.

• Address: 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
• Website: 🔗 Cheong Wa Dae

Online Reservation for Cheong Wa Dae, Opening Hours

🟡 Closed on Tuesdays Cheong Wa Dae is closed to visitors every Tuesday.

• If Cheong Wa Dae is scheduled to close on a public holiday (including compensatory holidays), it stays open. In this situation, the next non-public holiday becomes the new closure date.

🟡 Cheong Wa Dae Online Reservation 🔗: Booking your tour online provides more time slot choices, though the verification process uses Korean mobile service providers.

• Open from 9 AM to 6 PM (March to November) and 9 AM to 5:30 PM (December to February). Tours available at 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 3 PM, and 4:30 PM.

🟡 Admission Fee: Free

How Foreign Visitors Can Tour the Blue House Korea for Free

🔴 On-site application is exclusively open to senior citizens aged 65 or older, persons with disabilities, individuals eligible for national veterans benefits, and foreigners(individuals can only apply for themselves).

🔴 When: Wednesday to Monday at 9 AM and 1:30 PM, limited to 1,000 applications per time slot.

🔴 Where: Main Gate Information Center (the pink container on the left side of the Blue House entrance).

🔴 Admission Fee: Free

🔴 Verification of qualification: Passport, Alien registration certificate, Domestic residence certificate, etc.

💪👀Here's a tip: Bring your own water as disposable items are not provided. Consider a hat or umbrella for shade on sunny days. Due to high visitor numbers, there may be wait times for building entry.

Wrap-up

I had only seen Cheongwadae on TV, but it's open to both Koreans and foreigners, so I decided to visit. I enjoyed the Blue House Korea tour and the best part is that there's no entrance fee.

The interior was very spacious and impressive, especially the main building. I made an online reservation because I didn't qualify to reserve on-site. Foreign visitors can also get their tickets on-site for free. If you're in the Jongno area, Blue House Korea is conveniently located right behind Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Credits

The images featured in this post are courtesy of the Cheongwadae's website.