Do I need a reservation to visit Cheongnamdae?

As of March 2023, the reservation requirement for private cars has been abolished. You can enter with on-site ticketing. However, online reservation is recommended during peak seasons or weekends to avoid queues.

How much is the admission fee for Cheongnamdae?

The admission fee is 6,000 KRW for adults, 4,000 KRW for teenagers, and 3,000 KRW for children and seniors.

Is parking available at Cheongnamdae?

Yes, there is a large parking lot inside Cheongnamdae, and the parking fee is free.

How long does it take to tour Cheongnamdae?

Cheongnamdae is quite extensive. It is recommended to plan for at least 2 to 3 hours to see the Main Building, Memorial Hall, and walk the trails.

Can I visit Cheongnamdae by public transportation?

Public transportation is difficult to use as the shuttle bus service has been discontinued. We strongly recommend using a private car or rental car.

Visiting Cheongnamdae: South Korea's Former Presidential Villa (2025 Guide)

Cheongnamdae in Cheongju, often referred to as the "Blue House of the South," was built in 1983 as an official presidential villa. For about 20 years, until it was opened to the public in 2003, it served as a private retreat where presidents and their families rested and formulated state affairs.

What was once a restricted area for presidents has now become a sanctuary for everyone, combining historical significance with the breathtaking natural scenery of Daecheongho Lake.

Notably, the reservation requirement for private cars was abolished in March 2023. Now, you can purchase tickets on-site without a reservation, making visits much more convenient. In this guide, updated for 2025, we will cover everything from admission methods (on-site ticketing), fees, and recommended walking courses to parking tips and nearby restaurants perfect for after your tour.

Cheongnamdae Metasequoia Road

Reservation and Visiting Hours

In the past, reservations were mandatory for private vehicles visiting Cheongnamdae, but the system has changed to allow both on-site ticketing and online reservations. However, on weekends, public holidays, and especially during the peak autumn foliage season, the queues at the on-site ticket office can be very long.

Therefore, if you plan to visit on a busy day, we highly recommend booking online in advance via the official website.

Admission Methods: On-site vs. Online

On-site Ticketing (Recommended for Weekdays/Off-peak)
- Drive directly to the 'Cheongnamdae Main Gate Ticket Office' without a reservation and purchase tickets on the spot.
- This method allows for a relaxed entry during weekdays in the off-season.
Online Reservation (Recommended for Weekends/Peak Season)

You can reserve your date and number of visitors in advance through the Official Cheongnamdae Website.
This is convenient for avoiding crowds during festivals or weekends and entering without waiting in line at the ticket booth.

Visiting Hours & Closed Days

Visiting hours vary by season, and there is a deadline for last admission, so please check before visiting.

Season	Viewing Hours	Last Admission
Summer (Feb ~ Nov)	09:00 ~ 18:00	16:30
Winter (Dec ~ Jan)	09:00 ~ 17:00	15:30

Closed: Every Monday, January 1st, Lunar New Year's Day, and Chuseok Day.

Admission Fees & Discounts

Admission Fees

Category	Fee
Adult (Age 19 ~ 64)	6,000 KRW (approx. $4.30 USD)
Teenager (Age 13 ~ 18)	4,000 KRW (approx. $2.85 USD)
Child (Age 7 ~ 12)	3,000 KRW (approx. $2.15 USD)
Senior (Age 65+)	3,000 KRW (approx. $2.15 USD)

Discount Benefits

Regional Residents: Residents of Chungbuk, Chungnam, Daejeon, and Sejong can receive a 1,000 KRW discount upon presenting a valid ID.
Local Business Usage: If you present a receipt from using shops (restaurants, accommodations, etc.) in Muneu-myeon, you can receive a discount of up to 2,000 KRW per person for every 10,000 KRW spent.

Free Admission

Veterans / 5.18 Democratic Merit (Including spouse and bereaved family with proof)
Pregnant women (Including one guardian)
Children under 7 years old (Including one guardian)

Please bring valid identification or proof documents (e.g., ID card, pregnancy confirmation).

Getting There: Parking & Transportation

In the past, visitors had to take a shuttle bus from the Muneu Ticket Office, but now you can drive directly into Cheongnamdae with your private vehicle.

By Car

With the abolition of the advance reservation system, you can now drive straight to the Cheongnamdae Main Gate.

Navigation Address: 'Cheongnamdae Main Gate Ticket Office' (646 Cheongnamdae-gil, Muneu-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk)
How to use: Purchase tickets at the main gate and drive to the internal parking lot.
Parking: There is ample parking space inside Cheongnamdae, and the parking fee is free.

Public Transportation

Visiting by public transportation is currently difficult. The old 'Muneu Ticket Office' (across from Muneu Police Substation), where shuttle buses used to depart, no longer handles ticketing.

The Cheongju Bus No. 302 (former shuttle) is also no longer in operation. If you must use public transport, the only option is to take a city bus to Muneu-myeon and then take a taxi.

We strongly recommend using a private car or rental car to visit Cheongnamdae.

Recommended Walking Courses

Cheongnamdae Tour Guide Map

Presidential Memorial Hall

Upon parking and entering, the first building you will encounter is the Presidential Memorial Hall. This building was expanded and opened from the facilities previously used by the Cheongnamdae security detail.

Presidential Memorial Hall

The first floor displays paintings of past presidents, and the basement floor features a presidential experience zone (Oval Office, speech podium, etc.). It's a great place to look around before heading to the Main Building, and the experience zone is especially recommended if you are visiting with children.

Fish Farm & Metasequoia Road

The path from the Presidential Memorial Hall (Annex) to the Main Building is one of the most popular walking trails in Cheongnamdae. Along the way, you will find a musical fountain and a large fish farm.

Musical Fountain

Opposite the fish farm, the Metasequoia Road stretches out beautifully. This is considered one of the best photo spots in Cheongnamdae. It's a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely walk along the well-maintained forest path.

Cheongnamdae Metasequoia Deck Road

The President's Space: The Main Building

Passing the Metasequoia Road, you will arrive at the Main Building, the core of Cheongnamdae. Well-groomed umbrella pines (Bansong) welcome visitors on the way to the entrance.

Presidential Villa

The interior of the Main Building is where presidents actually lived and worked. The first floor mainly consists of a living room, reception room, and dining room. On the second floor, the bedrooms and study used by the presidents and their families are preserved in their original state. Following the tour route allows you to glimpse into their lifestyle at the time.

Presidential Villa Main Building

A Walk Embracing Daecheongho Lake: 'Presidential Trails'

After viewing the Main Building, the route connects to the 'Presidential Trails.' These walking paths are named after former presidents: Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Lee Myung-bak.

Presidential Trail

Among the various courses, the 'President Chun Doo-hwan Trail' starts from the Main Building and leads to Ogakjeong Pavilion.

This course is about 1.5km long and takes approximately 30 minutes, offering excellent views of Daecheongho Lake. Ogakjeong is a scenic spot overlooking Cheongnamdae and the lake.

Scenery of Daecheongho Lake seen from Ogakjeong

Ogakjeong Scenery

Cheongnamdae is very extensive, so seeing everything can take more than half a day. Following this specific route, our tour took about 3 hours.

Nearby Restaurant: Naruteo Gamasot Gomtang

After touring Cheongnamdae, we visited 'Naruteo Gamasot Gomtang (Traditional Beef Bone Soup)' nearby. We found it by chance while looking for a place with a spacious parking lot and pleasant atmosphere. We were able to fill our stomachs with a hearty Hanwoo (Korean beef) Gomtang for 15,000 KRW (approx. $10.70 USD).

When the side dishes arrived, tasting the Kimchi and Seokbakji (Radish Kimchi) convinced us that the food would be good, and the Gomtang did not disappoint.

It contained plenty of Hanwoo beef, satisfying us with the portion size first, and the broth was rich yet clean. If I visit Cheongju again, I will definitely return to this place.

Naruteo Gamasot Gomtang

Cheongnamdae in Cheongju is a unique travel destination where you can explore a former presidential villa alongside the nature of Daecheongho Lake. Unlike in the past, visits are now possible without a reservation, making it a great stop during a trip to Cheongju.

Since you will be walking quite a bit along the trails and viewing routes, wearing comfortable shoes is highly recommended. Also, with various walking courses available besides the Main Building and Memorial Hall, plan for at least 2 to 3 hours to enjoy a leisurely tour.