FechTin Go · South Korea · Chungbuk

Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa

travel oriented · CC BY-SA 2.0

A presidential retreat kept secret for twenty years, opened to the public in 2003.

In 1983 the military government built a presidential retreat beside Daecheong lake and kept it entirely secret — off the maps, roads blocked, locals barred from approaching. Six presidents used it over twenty years. In 2003 President Roh Moo-hyun decided to give it back to the public and opened it. You now walk the large lakeside garden, see the study and bedroom left as they were, and take the path successive presidents walked in the mornings. There is a pitch-and-putt course and an outdoor pool considerably more modest than you would expect.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa?

April–June and October–November

How much does it cost to visit Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa?

6,000 KRW (4,000 teens, 3,000 children); free for over-65s and under-7s

How long do you need at Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa?

2–3 hours

What are the opening hours of Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa?

09:00–18:00 (to 17:00 in December–January), ticketing until 16:30; closed Mondays, 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok

Did you know

• Built in 1983 as a presidential retreat and kept secret for 20 years.
• Six Korean presidents used it.
• Opened to the public in 2003.
• It sits on Daecheong lake, Korea's third largest reservoir.

Travel tips

• The grounds are large — a shuttle runs between the points of interest.
• There is a flower festival in late April and it gets very busy.
• About 40 minutes by bus from Cheongju.

Source: https://www.chungbuk.go.kr/chnam/content.do?key=2004170433966

Updated: 2026-08-04