Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) Visit Application Guide

Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House), which served as the South Korean presidential residence and office, was closed to the general public for 74 years from 1948. However, after the new president took office and moved operations to the Yongsan executive office, Cheong Wa Dae was fully opened to the public. I applied for a visit reservation and was selected — I visited with my children last week and would like to share the information I gathered about the application process.

1. Key Information

The application process is relatively straightforward. I applied once using my own account and also submitted an application through my husband's account just in case — fortunately, my application was selected. I visited with my kids on a nice day and ended up recommending it to friends and acquaintances as well.

I'd like to share the information I looked up about applying for a Cheong Wa Dae visit so others can take advantage of this opportunity. If you're planning to apply or are interested, this post should be helpful.

Since it has been opened for the first time in 74 years, many people are naturally curious about what's inside. With the 20th president taking office and relocating to the Yongsan office, the previously restricted Cheong Wa Dae became available to the public. There are three methods available to make the reservation process more convenient.

How do I apply for a Cheong Wa Dae visit?

You can choose from Naver, KakaoTalk, or Toss to complete the application.

2. Detailed Instructions

Choose whichever method is most convenient for you. I personally used Toss and found it very quick and easy to apply.

After selecting the earliest available visit date, you submit your application. Note that admission is not granted on a first-come, first-served basis — winners are selected by lottery and notified individually. Those not selected in the draw will not be able to visit.

If you want to apply via Naver, search for "Cheong Wa Dae open reservation" on Naver, and the official reservation website will appear. Go to the site, click on the visit application button, and proceed directly. After a brief waiting period, a popup window will appear where you can click "Apply for Cheong Wa Dae visit" to continue.

How do I choose between individual or group reservation?

3. How to Apply

Reservations can be made either as an individual or as a group. Seniors aged 65 and above and people with disabilities have separate reservation slots. Please note that ID verification is required at entry for these categories.

This separate reservation system is designed to provide more visiting opportunities. Groups can apply for 30 to 50 people, while individuals can bring up to 4 people together. We selected 4 for our family of four and proceeded accordingly.

After selecting the number of visitors, you choose your preferred visit date. As mentioned earlier, applications are not processed on a first-come, first-served basis — a lottery is held to fill the exact number of visitors allowed per day. To increase your chances of being selected, it may help to choose a weekday or a less popular time slot when fewer people tend to apply.

How should I choose the preferred visit date?

4. Additional Information

In my case, since I work and can only take the kids on weekends, I had to choose Saturday or Sunday. Even so, I applied for an early morning time slot when fewer people tend to apply, and I was selected. When I actually visited, it was not too crowded either.

Once you select the number of visitors and the date, the application is essentially complete. After confirming your name and contact information and agreeing to the required terms, your Cheong Wa Dae visit application will be finalized.

The process is not complicated at all and can be completed quickly and easily by anyone. After applying, you simply wait for the lottery results, which are communicated via individual notifications. Once you receive the notification, make sure to visit on the date and at the time you selected.

When will I be notified if I am selected?

5. Further Details

You will receive a notification 8 days before your selected visit date. If you do not receive a notification by then, you were not selected in the lottery. After receiving the notification, make sure to arrive on time on the day of your visit.

Some additional points worth knowing: there is no dedicated parking lot at Cheong Wa Dae. My family used public transportation, but you can also park elsewhere and walk to the entrance.

There are no restrictions on photography, so feel free to take as many photos as you like. However, the interior buildings are not currently open, so the visit is limited to outdoor areas.

What about parking for the Cheong Wa Dae visit?

As mentioned, there is no dedicated parking lot at Cheong Wa Dae. This is a measure to prevent traffic congestion from the large number of visitors' vehicles.

The most convenient option is to use public transportation. You can easily access Cheong Wa Dae on foot from Gyeongbokgung Station or Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 3. There are also various bus stops near Cheong Wa Dae.

6. Reference Notes

If you must drive, you can use public or private parking lots in the Gwanghwamun area and walk to Cheong Wa Dae. On weekends, parking spaces can be harder to find, so it is advisable to leave with extra time.

How long does the visit take?

Finally, regarding the visit duration: it may vary from person to person, but for our family it took approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This included walking through the grounds and taking photos. Some popular photo spots required waiting in line, which added some time. Major photo spots such as the Main Hall and Chunchu Hall tend to attract many visitors, so keep that in mind.

If you stroll through leisurely, you could easily spend 2 hours or more. If you also plan to visit nearby attractions such as Nokjiwon (the garden) or Chilgung, be sure to factor in additional time.

7. Important Notes

There are a few important things to keep in mind when visiting Cheong Wa Dae. First, be sure to arrive on time — late arrivals may be denied entry.

You will also need to go through a security check, so avoid bringing dangerous items or large bags. Pets are not allowed, so please check this in advance.

It is also important to dress appropriately for the weather. Since most of the visit takes place outdoors, wear a hat or use a parasol in summer for sun protection, and dress warmly in winter.

Overall, it was a meaningful experience to spend quality time with family and explore Cheong Wa Dae, which had been closed for 74 years. We hope you take the opportunity to apply for a visit and enjoy the experience as well.