Presidential History Across 1.84 Million m² of Daecheong Lake: Cheongnamdae in Cheongju

From Yeongchunjae in 1983 to opening to the public in 2003: how Cheongnamdae came to be

Cheongnamdae is a private presidential retreat built beside Daecheong Lake near Daecheong Dam. Construction began on June 18, 1983, and was completed on December 27 of the same year. It was originally called ‘Yeongchunjae,’ and on July 18, 1986, its name was changed to Cheongnamdae, meaning ‘the Blue House in the warm south.’ The address is 646 Cheongnamdaegil, Munui-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, and the site covers 335 land parcels totaling 1,825,647㎡.

Presidents Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, and Roh Moo-hyun used this retreat a combined 88 times, staying for 366 nights and 471 days. Once a Level 1 national security facility, Cheongnamdae began welcoming the general public after ownership and management rights were transferred to Chungcheongbuk-do on April 18, 2003. Today, it is a modern and contemporary history destination featuring not only the main presidential retreat building but also the Cheongnamdae Memorial Hall, Presidential Memorial Hall, Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Memorial Hall, and Nara Sarang Education and Culture Center.

From 09:00 admission to the 16:30 ticketing deadline: seasonal visiting hours

Cheongnamdae is open from 09:00 to 18:00 from February through November, and from 09:00 to 17:00 in December and January. Tickets are sold and admission is available from 09:00 to 16:30 during the regular season and only until 15:30 in winter, so morning admission is advisable if you plan to walk the long lakeside paths. The main telephone number is 043-257-5080, and the official website is https://www.chungbuk.go.kr/chnam/index.do.

It is closed every Monday. If Monday is a public holiday or substitute holiday, it closes on the first weekday afterward. It is also closed on January 1 and on the day of Seollal and Chuseok. Allowing 3–4 hours is recommended to see the main building, memorial halls, and walking trails together; adding the 3.1 km Lakeside Trail requires at least 4 hours.

• Adults aged 19–64: 6,000 won individually, 5,000 won for groups of 20 or more
• Youth aged 13–18, soldiers up to and including sergeants, and social service personnel: 4,000 won individually, 3,000 won for groups
• Children aged 7–12 and visitors aged 65 or older: 3,000 won individually, 2,000 won for groups
• Residents of Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Daejeon, and Sejong receive a 1,000-won discount upon presenting identification

How to connect the main building, Presidential Memorial Hall, and Provisional Government Memorial Hall with a 90-minute guided tour

Cheongnamdae’s core indoor route includes the Presidential Retreat Main Building, Presidential Memorial Hall, and Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Memorial Hall. The official guided tour begins in front of the central entrance of the Cheongnamdae Memorial Hall, visits these three sites, and returns to the Cheongnamdae Memorial Hall. Tours depart at 09:40, 10:40, 14:00, and 15:00, and last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, although times may vary depending on conditions at the site.

The main building has one basement level and two above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 2,699㎡. The Presidential Memorial Hall also has one basement level and two above-ground floors, covering 2,994㎡. The Provisional Government Memorial Hall likewise has one basement level and two above-ground floors and covers 2,393㎡. If you want to understand the purpose of each space while listening to the explanations, arriving at the central entrance of the Cheongnamdae Memorial Hall at least 15 minutes before the tour is an efficient approach.

From the 1.5 km Okgakjeong Trail to the 3.1 km Lakeside Trail: presidential trails suited to your fitness level

Cheongnamdae has walking courses with clearly defined distances and durations. For a short walk, choose the 1.5 km Okgakjeong Trail, which takes about 30 minutes; the 2 km Solbaram Trail, about 40 minutes; the 1 km Democratization Trail, about 30 minutes; or the 1 km Harmony Trail, about 20 minutes. Visitors who want to see a little more outdoors after touring the historical facilities can combine the Main Building–Presidential Memorial Hall–Metasequoia section with one of the shorter courses.

For an extended view of Daecheong Lake, consider the 2.5 km Unification Trail, which takes about 60 minutes, or the 3.1 km Lakeside Trail, which takes about 90 minutes. The entire Presidential Trail network is 14 km long, so rather than planning to complete every section in one day, choose your route based on the 16:30 ticketing deadline and seasonal closing times. As notices from 2026 indicate, certain stairways and hiking trails may be closed for safety maintenance, so checking the notices on the day of your visit is recommended.

09:20 first departure and the 12:00 inspection period: what to know when using the monorail

The monorail is an option for reducing the burden of uphill sections. The regular fare is 5,000 won for ages 14–64 and 3,000 won for children aged 3–13 and visitors aged 65 or older. Separate rates apply to visitors with disabilities, residents of Chungcheongbuk-do, and children under 36 months based on supporting documents. Only foldable strollers may be brought aboard, and pets are not permitted.

Uphill trains depart every 20 minutes from 09:20 to 17:00 and arrive about 7 minutes later. Downhill trains run from 09:50 to 17:30, but there is no service from 12:00 to 13:00 due to vehicle inspection. Therefore, if you miss a train during the 11:00 hour, your travel plan may be interrupted before lunch; it is better to adjust your main-building visit around a departure in the 10:00 hour or after 13:00.

20 free wheelchairs and 30 strollers: the starting point for an accessible route

Wheelchairs, strollers, and walking aids can be borrowed free of charge by leaving an identification card at the rental center opposite the Cheongnamdae Memorial Hall. The available quantities are 20 wheelchairs, 10 walking aids, and 30 strollers, but supplies may be insufficient depending on same-day demand. If you are traveling with an infant or someone with limited mobility, it is best to visit the rental center immediately after purchasing tickets.

Cheongnamdae covers more than 1.84 million square meters and has a large outdoor area, so it cannot be assumed that every observation deck and walking path can be connected by wheelchair or stroller. The official map indicates the parking lot, stroller and wheelchair rental center, foot-washing area, Lakeside Plaza, and Sky Garden. Dogs must be kept on a leash and accompanied by waste bags; they may be taken only to outdoor areas and are not permitted indoors.

12 km from Munui-Cheongnamdae IC: choosing between driving and the Cheongju City Tour

For driving, enter ‘Cheongnamdae Management Office’ or ‘Cheongnamdae Parking Lot’ as the navigation destination. From the Munui-Cheongnamdae IC tollgate, turn left toward Munui and Sintanjin, drive straight for 300 meters, then turn left at Munui Intersection and continue approximately 12 km to Cheongnamdae, according to the official directions. The admission process is to enter Cheongnamdae, park, and purchase an admission ticket at the ticket office. Parking is free.

If traveling solely by public transportation, consider the Cheongju City Tour bus first. Reservations are accepted through the Tourism and Experiences menu on the Cheongju integrated reservation website. The Cheongju Tourism Association inquiry number is 043-234-8895, and the Cheongju Comprehensive Tourist Information Center can be reached at 043-223-1259. City tour operating days, stops, and available seats may change frequently, so check before departure rather than waiting until the day of the visit.

Free forest interpretation departing at 10:00 and 13:30: why reservations are necessary

The forest interpretation program is not simply a tourist information service but an experiential program focused on forests and ecology. It operates twice daily free of charge from Tuesday through Saturday. The morning session gathers at 10:00 and provides interpretation from 10:20 to 11:30; the afternoon session gathers at 13:30 and provides interpretation from 13:50 to 15:00. Each session accommodates approximately 10–20 people and accepts participants on a first-come, first-served basis after online reservation.

Participants should wear sneakers and comfortable clothing, and dogs may not accompany participants. The gathering location is provided in the reservation confirmation message, so do not expect to buy only an admission ticket and join immediately on site. For reservation and program inquiries, call 043-220-8774. If you would like to see the main building and memorial halls after the forest interpretation, choose the morning session and plan your schedule so it does not overlap with the 14:00 guided tour.

When there is no restaurant inside Cheongnamdae: discounts with a Munui-myeon receipt

The official amenities information states that there is no restaurant inside Cheongnamdae. Since the visit may extend to 3–4 hours or more, it is more practical to plan meals in Munui-myeon before or after admission. The operation of snack restaurants and cafés and their menus may change, so do not visit with a specific meal in mind; check the official notices for same-day operating information.

Presenting a same-day receipt from a business in Munui-myeon entitles you to a discount of up to 2,000 won per person for every 10,000 won spent. This cannot be combined with discounts for residents of the four Chungcheong-region cities and provinces, group discounts, or other offers; only the single largest discount applies. Admission discounts require supporting documents such as identification, a maternity handbook, or a bereaved-family certificate, so bring the relevant documents before departure if you qualify.