How to Walk Through Cheongju Yukgeori General Market’s 890 Shops
Cheongju Yukgeori General Market began with Cheongju Market in the late Joseon period and the commercial district along the Musimcheon Stream. It has grown into Cheongju’s largest traditional market, now bringing together 890 shops. This guide outlines routes for first-time international visitors, including information on its 09:00–22:00 hours, three parking lots, step-free main entrance, and key areas such as the Mill Street, Food Alley, and Fashion Street.
Why a Market Remains at 131 Seokgyo-dong
Cheongju Yukgeori Comprehensive Market is a traditional market in Seokgyo-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, and is the largest traditional market in Cheongju. It grew into the largest market in the central region by integrating the surrounding commercial districts that have continued since the Joseon period. As of 2023, 300 of its 890 shops are street stalls.
In the late Joseon period, nine markets operated at Cheongju Market outside the southern gate of Cheongju Fortress. Along the Musimcheon River were a cattle market, vendors selling agricultural products and firewood, gukbap restaurants, and blacksmith shops. In the past, Cheongju's cattle market was considered one of the country's top five. After the Gyeongbu Railway opened in 1905, the commercial district flourished, but the marketplace was flooded by a major flood in 1906 and moved about 400 meters south to its present location.
From the 1973 Name to the Aftermath of the 2005 Fire
This market began at Cheongju Market beside the Musimcheon embankment during the Joseon period. Tourist information explains that it has been called “Yukgeori Market” since 1973. In the 1950s, its commercial district expanded into the surrounding areas, and after Namjudong Market moved to a wholesale agricultural and marine-products market in the 1980s, it became the central market leading Cheongju's markets.
The market facilities also changed in several stages. Parking Lot 1 was built in 2001 with 41 spaces, and Parking Lot 2 had 89 spaces when completed on August 14, 2008. According to current information from Chungcheongbuk-do, Parking Lot 2 now has 151 spaces. An arcade measuring 715 meters in total length was installed on June 23, 2003. Even after two fires in March 2005 destroyed 16 shop buildings, the market continued operating, and it received a ministerial award at the 2016 National Landscape Design Awards.
What to Find and Where Among 890 Shops
At Yukgeori Comprehensive Market, you can buy agricultural products, local specialties, dried seafood, groceries, and bowls. The Korea Tourism Organization's course introduction describes it as Cheongju's largest traditional market, selling ingredients, side dishes, traditional snacks, and clothing, and notes that the market has a milling-street, a food alley, and a fashion street.
For first-time foreign visitors, it is easier to navigate by using the alley names rather than looking at only one section before turning back. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces the sound of pancakes sizzling, their savory aroma, and tasting booths as key parts of the market experience. However, there is no confirmed information about cash-only policies, photography restrictions, English assistance, or audio guides, so it cannot be assumed that payment or photography is permitted at a particular shop.
Why the 09:00–22:00 Information Should Not Be Applied Exactly
According to tourist information, the market's business hours are 09:00–22:00, but individual shops have different hours. The market itself is described as open year-round, yet individual shops have different closing days, so some stores may be closed late in the day. No separate admission fee has been confirmed; it is an open traditional market with free entry.
A five-day market is held on the 2nd and 7th of every month, and there is also a Goblin Market that operates at dawn. The dawn market is described as selling agricultural products directly produced by farmers, but its specific operating hours have not been confirmed. Events such as the Kimchi-Making Festival and the Chuseok Hanmadang Festival have been held, but a separate schedule is needed to determine whether an event will take place on your visit date.
Practical Starting Points When Arriving by Cheongju Bus or from Seongan-gil
Most bus routes operating in Cheongju are said to pass through Yukgeori Comprehensive Market, but the available information does not specify route numbers or stop names. Therefore, foreign travelers should safely enter “Yukgeori Comprehensive Market” as the destination in a bus app or map. The market is accessible on foot from Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government and Seongan-gil.
The total travel distance of the market-linked course introduced by the Korea Tourism Organization is approximately 1.3 km. This does not indicate the internal distance from the market entrance to every shop or a recommended viewing time, and no official recommended duration for the entire market has been confirmed. Although the market has a 715-meter arcade, available information does not provide details about internal routes, inclines, or stairs.
Which of Parking Lots 1, 2, and 3 Should You Use?
The market has parking facilities. Parking Lot 1 was built in 2001 with 41 spaces, and Parking Lot 2 had 89 spaces when completed on August 14, 2008. According to current information from Chungcheongbuk-do, Parking Lot 2 now has 151 spaces. Parking Lots 1 and 2 are paid, so check the specific fees on site or with the managing organization.
Parking Lot 3 was created on December 26, 2023. It covers 1,804 m², was built with a total investment of 7.2 billion won, and can accommodate 76 vehicles. Related reports stated that it was scheduled to open from December 27, 2023. Parking Lot 1 has two accessible parking spaces. The capacity and individual parking fees for Parking Lot 3 should be confirmed before visiting. Available spaces and fees at each parking lot may vary depending on the time of your visit.
Step-Free Main Entrance and Comprehensive Market Hall
According to barrier-free tourism information, the market's main entrance and entrance passage have no steps, allowing wheelchair access. Parking Lot 1 has two accessible parking spaces, and the Comprehensive Market Hall has an accessible restroom with a ramp. The width of all passages throughout the market and the accessibility of every shop cannot be assumed to be uniform.
The market also has restrooms, a customer information center, and a customer lounge. The inquiry telephone number is 043-222-6696, and the listed website is the Chungbuk tourism website: https://tour.chungbuk.go.kr/. No separate official market website URL or confirmed information about English assistance or audio guides was found.
Numbers to Note Before Your Visit
The address is 131 Seokgyo-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, and the market inquiry telephone number is 043-222-6696. The operating hours are listed as 09:00–22:00, and the market is described as open year-round, but both details vary by shop. As no separate admission fee has been confirmed and the market is an open traditional market with free entry, prepare separately for the costs of meals, snacks, purchases, and transportation.
The market offers a wide range of products, from agricultural products and local specialties to dried seafood, groceries, bowls, side dishes, traditional snacks, and clothing. As of 2023, the merchants' association had 590 members and one full-time employee. Payment methods, permitted photography scope, times when queues become long, and the recommended viewing time for the entire market have not been confirmed. If you plan to visit a particular shop, it is practical to ask about that store's conditions on site.
}],Before You Go
- Address
- 131 Seokgyo-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do
- Hours
- 09:00–22:00; individual shop hours vary
- Closed
- Open year-round; individual shops have different closing days
- Admission
- No separate admission fee confirmed; open traditional market with free entry
- Phone
- 043-222-6696
- Official site
- https://tour.chungbuk.go.kr/
- Transport
- Most bus routes operating in Cheongju pass through Yukgeori Comprehensive Market; accessible on foot from Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government and Seongan-gil
- Parking
- Parking available. Parking Lot 1 has 41 spaces and Parking Lot 2 has 151 spaces; Lots 1 and 2 are listed as paid. The capacity and individual parking fees for Parking Lot 3 should be confirmed before visiting.
- Time needed
- No official figure for recommended viewing time confirmed. The total travel distance of the Korea Tourism Organization's market-linked course is approximately 1.3 km
- Accessibility
- The main entrance and entrance passages are step-free and wheelchair accessible. Parking Lot 1 has two accessible parking spaces, and the Comprehensive Market Hall has an accessible restroom and ramp
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
-
2
Cheongju HyanggyoA place to explore the architecture of a hyanggyo, an educational institution of the Joseon period, and Confucian culture. -
3
Yongdusa Temple Iron FlagpoleA historic site where you can see up close a National Treasure iron flagpole erected during the Goryeo period.
Food & Dining 3
-
4
-
5
Wonjo Gochu Mandu GukjipA specialty dumpling restaurant serving spicy chili dumpling soup and chili dumplings. -
6
Events in This Area
Festivals in This Area
More Travel Guides in This Area
Travel Guide
Danyang Gugyeong Market, the Ninth Scenic View of Danyang Palgyeong Along the Scent of Garlic
Travel Guide
A Glass-Bottom Boat at Hwalok Cave, 57 km from the End of the Mine
Travel Guide
Cheongju Suamgol: A Refugee Hillside That Became a 2007 Mural Village and Drama Location
Travel Guide
Jeungpyeong Edu-Farm Tourist Complex: Connecting Wonnam Reservoir and Moto Arena in One Day
Korea News
![ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1786629298196_13d8a4bb_news_075face7-fb4e-402c-b833-25ccaf88cf8f.jpg)
News
ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]
News
Kwon Eun-bi, First Comeback Since Moving from Woollim to RBW: “Aiming for a September Release”
News
“Did Jungkook’s connection continue?” Pop star Usher spotted warmly hugging BTS’s RM and J-Hope
News