The Blue House, Korea's presidential office, Seoul, South Korea

Nestled beneath the majestic Bukaksan Mountain, you'll find the iconic Blue House, South Korea's presidential office. This site has a rich history; during the Goryeo Dynasty, it was the location of Namgyeong's detached palace, and in the Joseon Dynasty, it served as the site of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanyang. The term "Blue House" derives from its distinguishing blue roof tiles, symbolizing peace.

 

This grand estate is divided into several spaces for various functions, such as hosting events, providing a workspace for the president, and welcoming foreign dignitaries. Visiting the Blue House is a unique experience. Interested visitors need to make an online reservation ahead of time. The tour, led by a knowledgeable guide, includes a visit to Chunchugwan, Nokjiwon, the Main Building, and the State Guest House. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the main building, distinguished by its approximately 150,000 blue tiles covering the roof. Visitors are also treated to an array of ornaments representing the artworks symbolizing the royal family and crafts used by the nobility in the past. In front of the main building, you'll find a demu, a large bronze water bowl, that symbolizes fire prevention. Before the guest house stands a statue of Haechi, the symbolic creature of justice and safety. Pay special attention to the beautifully landscaped garden, which houses a juniper tree transplanted from the Changgyeonggung Palace. The average tour duration is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, although this may vary depending on the number of visitors and internal circumstances at the Blue House. As a keepsake of your visit, special souvenirs are presented to visitors.

 

 

 

History of the Blue House

The history of the Blue House, the presidential residence in Seoul, spans centuries, reflecting the rich and complex history of Korea. Its location, beneath the backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain in the northern part of downtown Seoul, has been a key site since the Goryeo Dynasty. Let's delve into the history of the Blue House, organized by chronological eras:

Blue House

Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392):

The first mention of the area that would eventually become the Blue House dates back to around 1104 during King Sukjong's reign. At this time, Goryeo had three capitals: Gaegyeong (modern-day Gaeseong, North Korea), Seogyeong (Pyongyang), and Donggyeong (Gyeongju). The region of the Blue House was referred to as Namgyeong, meaning 'Southern Seoul.'

 

Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897):

1394, King Taejo, the founder of Joseon, ordered officials to find a new palace site. The officials advised him that the previous palace site was too small and recommended building further south. In December of that year, Jeong Do-jeon began construction of the palace, which was completed by September the following year. The Gyeongbokgung Palace was situated near the present Blue House. However, the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 led to the Gyeongbokgung Palace's destruction. For about 270 years following the invasion, the palace remained in ruins. In contrast, the current Blue House area became home to Huwon, a garden outside Gyeongbokgung Palace's Sinmumun Gate. From 1868, several facilities, including test sites for state examinations and various pavilions, were constructed here. The area was named Gyeongmudae in 1869.

 

Japanese Colonial Era (1910-1945):

Following the Japanese colonization in 1910, many buildings were demolished in 1929 when the Japanese Government-General of Korea held the Joseon Exhibition at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Huwon. The Japanese later built the official residence of the governor-general of Joseon in the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace between 1937 and 1939, and the area continued to be known as Gyeongmudae.

 

Post-Liberation Era (1945-present):

&After Korea's liberation in 1945, the area served as the official residence of the commander of the U.S. Military Government for approximately two years. President Yoon Bo-seon, who took office in August 1960, suggested the name Gyeongmudae was not viewed favorably by the public. Under President Park Chung-hee's tenure, several changes were made to the building due to the Blue House organization's expansion, including the construction of Sangchunjae and the guesthouse. President Roh Tae-woo built the current main building in September 1991 to symbolize Korea's status and democratic era. The old main building, where the Governor-General of Korea had lived, was demolished in 1993 on President Kim Young-sam's orders. Since then, Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, and Moon Jae-in have served as presidents. President Yoon Seok-yeol, who took office on May 10, 2022, moved his office to Yongsan, and the Blue House was fully opened to the public. The official address of the Blue House is 1 Cheongwa-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The address was first established as 'Gwanghwamun 1st Street' on December 20, 1911, during the Japanese colonial period, and on January 1, 1946, it was changed to a Korean-style address, 'Sejongro 1st Street'. In 2014, it was updated to the current address under the street name address system.

 

 

 

Visiting the Blue House: All You Need to Know

- Address: Cheongwa-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

- Contact: If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to call at 1522-7760.

- Opening Hours: From March to September, the Blue House is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. From December to February, the Blue House welcomes visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Day Off: Please note that the Blue House remains closed on Tuesdays.

- Admission: Entry to the Blue House is completely free. However, an online reservation is required to ensure a smooth and convenient visit.

- Online Reservation: To make your reservation, visit the official website. This will guide you through the reservation process step by step.

 

Plan your visit to the Blue House today and immerse yourself in South Korea's rich history and culture. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to delve into the heart of Korean politics and heritage. Enjoy your visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation to Blue House

 

By Bus:

Board bus No. 1711, 1020, 7018, 7016, 7022, or 7212 at the 'Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop' located in front of Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station. Disembark at the 'Hyoja-dong Bus Stop'. Alternatively, take bus No. 01 from the 'National Palace Museum Bus Stop', which is right in front of Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station. Get off at either the 'Blue House Bus Stop' or 'Chunchumun Bus Stop'.

By Subway:

If you prefer to travel by subway, take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station and exit Exit 4. From there, it's approximately a 15-minute walk to the Blue House. Another subway option is to take Line 3 to Anguk Station. After exiting at Exit 1, you can reach the Blue House with a 20-minute walk. These transportation options make it convenient for tourists to visit the Blue House and explore the beautiful and historic site. Enjoy your trip!

 

 

 

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