The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)
The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)
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About
Located just past Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) is the imposing official residence of South Korea’s president. This lovely complex is built mainly in the traditional South Korean architectural style and tours are a great way to learn about the country’s history and politics. Tours must be booked via online application at least three weeks in advance.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: Jongno-gu
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
222 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
86
Average
63
Poor
5
Terrible
3
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia16,866 contributions
Apr 2023
The Blue House is Korea's White House - it's Korea's President working and residential complex. It got its name due to blue roof tiles in both houses, which are built in traditional Korean architecture.
The Palace is conveniently located just across the northern gate of the Gyeonbokgung Palace, so it's very easy to access it.
First of all to correct TA headline description - you do NOT need to make ANY appointment. The ONLY thing you need is your passport with you - without it you cannot enter. At the entrance your passport will be checked and you're cleared to enter and tour.
Staff points you the path you must follow.
First, you tour both floors of the Presidential working Palace and at each room is an attendant explaining the room in Korean. They are very kind and will explain you in English if you ask. This lasts around half an hour.
After visiting the working Palace, there's a pathway leading through woods to the Residential Palace, some 10 min walk. Here, you can only tour the exterior of the House, built in the same style as the previous one.
Besides that, you can hike up the hill within the complex to have an aerial view.
This was one of our best attractions in Seoul and I wonder how's it on TA page 3, place 85 ??? Add it to your bucket list.
The Palace is conveniently located just across the northern gate of the Gyeonbokgung Palace, so it's very easy to access it.
First of all to correct TA headline description - you do NOT need to make ANY appointment. The ONLY thing you need is your passport with you - without it you cannot enter. At the entrance your passport will be checked and you're cleared to enter and tour.
Staff points you the path you must follow.
First, you tour both floors of the Presidential working Palace and at each room is an attendant explaining the room in Korean. They are very kind and will explain you in English if you ask. This lasts around half an hour.
After visiting the working Palace, there's a pathway leading through woods to the Residential Palace, some 10 min walk. Here, you can only tour the exterior of the House, built in the same style as the previous one.
Besides that, you can hike up the hill within the complex to have an aerial view.
This was one of our best attractions in Seoul and I wonder how's it on TA page 3, place 85 ??? Add it to your bucket list.
Written 10 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celes2011
Pittsburgh, PA19 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
A great way to relive those kdramas on politics! They have reproduced the rooms fantastically well in the dramas, you will feel you went inside it ...
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patchie
New Jersey7 contributions
Nov 2022
A cool experience! The area is larger than I thought – you have access to the Blue House and other governmental buildings used for embassy dinners and political meetings, as well as a couple lovely gardens. You also get to go inside the Blue House and tour rooms and offices. It’s interesting to see what isn’t there now that the building is open to the public, like where wall hangings, desks, and furniture used to be.
The blue tiles really are beautiful, and especially interesting if you've been to palaces and temples in Korea.
Tips: If you’re a foreigner, you don’t need to make a reservation. You can show up to the main gate and get a ticket (it’s free!). However, there are three gates total, and you can only get a ticket at the main gate (the main gate is in the middle of all the gates). You do need some form of ID to show you’re a foreigner. My driver’s license worked for me!
Make sure to grab a map when you enter. They have recommended routes. I followed the Blue Route, which let me see everything. It’s a bit a walking with some uphill, so be prepared!
The blue tiles really are beautiful, and especially interesting if you've been to palaces and temples in Korea.
Tips: If you’re a foreigner, you don’t need to make a reservation. You can show up to the main gate and get a ticket (it’s free!). However, there are three gates total, and you can only get a ticket at the main gate (the main gate is in the middle of all the gates). You do need some form of ID to show you’re a foreigner. My driver’s license worked for me!
Make sure to grab a map when you enter. They have recommended routes. I followed the Blue Route, which let me see everything. It’s a bit a walking with some uphill, so be prepared!
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China12,897 contributions
Nov 2022
Cheong Wa Dae had long been the presidential residence until late 2022. Now open to public, it offers a glimpse into the stately side of Korea.
500 quotas are assigned at 9am and 1:30pm every day so do come early enough to get a ticket. We came at around 9:30am at a weekday and everything goes smoothly.
The encompassing main building, which is the greeting venue of foreign dignitaries, is simple yet solemn with some interesting portraits of Korean geography. The residence is a serene but less well-maintained house. Reception house is a huge banqueting hall for state events.
Admission is free. I personally think this is the most memorable attraction in Seoul.
500 quotas are assigned at 9am and 1:30pm every day so do come early enough to get a ticket. We came at around 9:30am at a weekday and everything goes smoothly.
The encompassing main building, which is the greeting venue of foreign dignitaries, is simple yet solemn with some interesting portraits of Korean geography. The residence is a serene but less well-maintained house. Reception house is a huge banqueting hall for state events.
Admission is free. I personally think this is the most memorable attraction in Seoul.
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JUNGWOO
Seoul, South Korea1 contribution
May 2022 • Solo
was able to go to Cheong Wa Dae because I won the raffle. It's changed to the application system now, so you have more probability to visit here. Unlike the map and the picture, the space is as wide as half of Gyeongbokgung Palace. I haven't seen the interior, but I heard it's decorated with high-end luxury. I felt like I was looking at a very well-managed modern Korean palace. The view from Bukaksan Mountain is beautiful, so I recommend you to visit here if you go to Gyeongbok palace.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHL
Seoul, South Korea8,629 contributions
May 2022
Since the new opening in May, 2022, it's good to visit once.
- You volunteer on the website and you get your slot randomly.
- Walking no-car-road outside was good.
- Green mini bus Jongno #11 until Samcheong-dong Community Service Center is the best option to reach. It's close from east gate.
- Mostly walking around seeing gardens and buildings freely. Entering any building is not allowed. I think it's not much different from the previous guide tour. There's a few performances, though.
- The courtyard of president's residence doesn't have enough capacity. The queue to enter was very long.
- Police offices at each point couldn't keep people from trespassing to lawns because there were too many people. Disappointing.
- You volunteer on the website and you get your slot randomly.
- Walking no-car-road outside was good.
- Green mini bus Jongno #11 until Samcheong-dong Community Service Center is the best option to reach. It's close from east gate.
- Mostly walking around seeing gardens and buildings freely. Entering any building is not allowed. I think it's not much different from the previous guide tour. There's a few performances, though.
- The courtyard of president's residence doesn't have enough capacity. The queue to enter was very long.
- Police offices at each point couldn't keep people from trespassing to lawns because there were too many people. Disappointing.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip P
Herentals, Belgium1,251 contributions
Apr 2022
It's not open to visit, but according to my guide it should be soon. For sure to be done, as it looks very attractive and is located in a magnificent environment.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian Lee
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia5,315 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Visited The Blue House (Korean: 청와대; Hanja: 靑瓦臺; Cheong Wa Dae; literally "pavilion of blue tiles") is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of South Korea, located in the Jongno district of the capital Seoul.
It is painted in blue to show superiority and high ranking of the Korea Government. Lovely architecture and teh “fengsui” of the building is said to be facing the river water and behind is the mountain for good “Fengshui”.☺️☺️
It is painted in blue to show superiority and high ranking of the Korea Government. Lovely architecture and teh “fengsui” of the building is said to be facing the river water and behind is the mountain for good “Fengshui”.☺️☺️
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krishhere
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), India1,408 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
The blue house is the official residence of the President of South Korea and is a short walk from the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The place is tightly guarded and you can view the Blue house from across the road. The building offers a nice photo opportunity with the mountain at the background. During some days, a tour of the gardens of the house is available (no entry into the building).
Written 29 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valdaross
Upper Darby, PA226 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
I was really hoping to get a closer look at the famous ( Blue House), but it was only a glimpse through the vehicle window. We were not even allowed to slow down, but had to drive by at regular speed. The pics were got were not worth posting. Guards everywhere. A bit disappointed, but understand that all cultures have rules. So I will just continue to look at it in the dramas. It was still good get a glimpse of other countries operate.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kailingbooi
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia32 contributions
Hi, the website for tour bookings doesn't seem to be working properly. Is there any other way to contact The Blue House?
Adventure Travel
2 contributions
I am a single woman age 20 going from seoul to blue house(i have reservation) can you suggest best way to get there? must I book a tour? I heard you must be with a tour guide to get to the entrance? Any advice?
wanderlass123
Lapu Lapu, Philippines763 contributions
Hi. What's the nearest subway station from Cheong Wa Dae for going back after the tour? Thanks.
Chickiecurlz
Manila, Philippines64 contributions
Hi there! The nearest station in Cheong Wa Dae is Gyeongbokgung Station.
The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae), Seoul
Frequently Asked Questions about The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)
- We recommend booking The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 37 The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae):
- (1.09 km) Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse
- (1.13 km) Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Village
- (1.89 km) Hostel Tommy
- (1.78 km) Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
- (2.39 km) LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL Executive Tower
- Restaurants near The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae):
- (0.55 km) Jihwaja
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- (0.53 km) Maple Tree House Samcheongdong
- (0.53 km) Seoulseo Duljjaero Jalhaneunjip
- Attractions near The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae):
- (0.28 km) Chilgung
- (0.91 km) Here Korea Travel
- (0.64 km) National Folk Museum of Korea
- (0.80 km) Gyeongbokgung Palace
- (0.67 km) Samcheongdong-gil Road