Blue House (Cheongwadae) Tourism

The Blue House, officially known as Cheongwadae, is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of South Korea. Situated at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain in Seoul, the palatial compound integrates traditional Korean architecture with modern facilities. Spanning about 250,000 square meters, it is composed of the Main Office Hall Bon-gwan, the Presidential Residence, the State Reception House Yeongbin-gwan, the Chunchugwan Press Hall, and the Secretariat Buildings. Cheongwadae is renowned for its blue tiles on the roof, which blend harmoniously with Mt. Bukhan in the background and give the venue its popular name, the Blue House. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and historical sites. A pavilion known as Nokjiwon includes a grassy area and trees that are over a century old. The grounds also house a pond, Mugunghwa Valley, and the Seven Palaces. The compound is heavily guarded and has restricted access, but guided tours are available to the public, offering a rare glimpse of the inner workings of South Korean executive power.