Blue House

The Blue House is a former presidential residence in Jongno District, South Korea, located at the foot of Bukaksan Mountain. The complex includes several pavilions with curved rooflines, administrative buildings, and landscaped grounds that extend across wide slopes.

The compound was established in 1948 as the presidential office and residence after Korea regained independence. It stood on grounds that had served as a royal garden during the Joseon Dynasty.

The name comes from the blue roof tiles visible across the buildings, crafted using an old Korean ceramic technique. Today families and school groups visit the site, walking through the open gardens and taking photos in front of the pavilions.

You can explore most of the grounds on foot during opening hours, but some interior spaces require advance registration through the official website. The entrance is near Gyeongbokgung subway station, and a walk around the site takes roughly one to two hours depending on your route.

In 2022 the grounds opened to the general public as a park for the first time in 74 years. Visitors can now walk paths that were previously accessible only to a few government staff and invited guests.

Location: Jongno District

Inception: 1991

Official opening: 1991

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 청와대로 1

Website: https://opencheongwadae.kr/eng

GPS coordinates: 37.58669,126.97486

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03