Cheongnamdae in autumn is one of the most relaxing trips you can take from Seoul. This former presidential summer villa sits on a peninsula in Daecheong Lake near Cheongju, about two hours south of the capital. From late October to mid-November, its 116,000 trees turn red and gold above the misty lake, and in 2026 an autumn festival with chrysanthemum displays runs from October 31 to November 8. Here is everything you need for a day trip: timing, transport, costs, an itinerary, nearby sights and places to eat.
Why Visit Cheongnamdae in Autumn
Cheongnamdae (“the Blue House of the South”) was built in 1983 as the official holiday villa of South Korea’s presidents. It was opened to the public on April 18, 2003, and today visitors can walk through the main residence, gardens and lakeside “presidential trails”. The grounds hold about 116,000 landscape trees of 124 species and roughly 350,000 wildflowers of 143 species, so the colors change from week to week.
- Peak foliage 2026: the central region of Korea was forecast to peak around October 31–November 5 (Weather i forecast); expect good color at Cheongnamdae through roughly the first half of November.
- 2026 Cheongnamdae Autumn Festival: October 31–November 8. Chrysanthemum bonsai, tree bonsai and stone-art exhibits around the Memorial Hall and the heliport lawn, plus jazz, poetry, orchestra and fashion-show stages and hands-on crafts.
- Night opening: during the festival, Saturdays are scheduled to stay open until 21:00, and the site is open on Mondays.
How to Get to Cheongnamdae from Seoul
There is no train to Cheongnamdae, so most visitors take an express bus to Cheongju and then a taxi. Because weekends are the busiest time to see Cheongnamdae in autumn, an early bus from Seoul is a good idea.
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu line) → Cheongju Express Bus Terminal: about 76 buses a day from 05:40 to 24:00, travel time about 1 hour 46 minutes. Fares: standard ₩9,900, deluxe (udeung) ₩14,500, premium ₩18,800.
- Cheongju → Cheongnamdae: about 34 km. A taxi takes roughly 40–50 minutes (estimate ₩35,000–45,000 one way; share it if you can). City buses run toward Munui-myeon, but service to the gate is infrequent and transfers are slow, so check Kakao Map or Naver Map on the day.
- By car: exit at Cheongju IC or Nam-Cheongju IC and follow signs to Munui. Parking at Cheongnamdae is free, but roads get busy on festival weekends.
Approximate Cost: Cheongnamdae in Autumn Day Trip
| Item | Cost per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Express bus Seoul ↔ Cheongju (round trip) | ₩19,800 (standard) – ₩37,600 (premium) |
| Taxi Cheongju ↔ Cheongnamdae (round trip, shared by 2) | ~₩35,000–45,000 (estimate) |
| Cheongnamdae admission | Adult ₩6,000 · youth/military ₩4,000 · child/senior ₩3,000 |
| Lunch + dinner | ₩25,000–40,000 |
| Total | about ₩85,000–130,000 (US$63–97) |
Opening hours: February–November 09:00–18:00 (last entry 16:30); December–January 09:00–17:00. Normally closed on Mondays, but open on Mondays in April–May and October–November. USD at about ₩1,340. In general, a Cheongnamdae in autumn day trip stays affordable, since most of the budget goes to the bus and admission.
Cheongnamdae in Autumn: Suggested One-Day Itinerary
For example, the plan below lets you enjoy Cheongnamdae in autumn at a relaxed pace and still return to Seoul the same evening.
- 07:30 – Express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal; arrive in Cheongju around 09:15.
- 09:30 – Taxi to Cheongnamdae; arrive by about 10:15.
- 10:15–12:30 – Main residence, the presidential memorial hall and the festival chrysanthemum displays.
- 12:30 – Lunch in Munui village just outside the gate.
- 13:30–15:30 – Walk one or two presidential trails along the lake and climb to the Ogakjeong pavilion viewpoint.
- 16:00 – Back to Cheongju; visit Sangdangsanseong Fortress at sunset or go straight to dinner.
- 18:00 – Samgyeopsal dinner at Seomun Market, then a late bus back to Seoul (buses run until midnight).
Nearby Attractions
In addition, Cheongju has a few easy stops that pair well with a Cheongnamdae in autumn visit.
- Presidential trails and Ogakjeong pavilion – about 13.5 km of walking paths inside Cheongnamdae, with tulip-tree tunnels, lawns, a thatched pavilion and lake views.
- Munui Cultural Heritage Complex – a small open-air village of relocated traditional houses and a hilltop view of Daecheong Lake, near the Munui bus stop.
- Sangdangsanseong Fortress – a stone mountain fortress on the edge of Cheongju with a 4 km wall walk and gentle autumn colors; free to enter.
- Cheongju Early Printing Museum – tells the story of Jikji (1377), the world’s oldest surviving book printed with movable metal type, which was printed at Heungdeoksa temple in Cheongju.
Where to Eat Near Cheongnamdae and in Cheongju
- Seomun Market Samgyeopsal Alley (서문시장 삼겹살골목), Cheongju – Cheongju calls this the only street in Korea dedicated to samgyeopsal, and it holds a festival every March 3 (“Samgyeopsal Day”). Local shops are known for dipping grilled pork belly in a soy-based sauce. Expect roughly ₩15,000–20,000 per serving (estimate). Kakao Map
- Majung Ganeun Gil (마중가는길), Munui – a Korean set-meal (hanjeongsik) restaurant at 845-5 Daecheonghoban-ro, Munui-myeon, a short drive from the Cheongnamdae gate. Prices are not published online; set meals in the area typically cost ₩15,000–30,000. Kakao Map
- Hosu Sikdang (호수식당), Munui – a simple Korean restaurant at 22 Munui-sinae-ro, handy for a quick lunch before or after the villa. Kakao Map
Tips for Visiting Cheongnamdae in Autumn
- Arrive before 16:30 – that is the last entry time even when the site closes at 18:00.
- Go on a weekday if possible; festival weekends bring traffic jams on the lakeside road.
- Saturdays during the festival stay open until 21:00, but arrange your taxi back in advance – taxis are scarce in Munui at night.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the grounds are large and the best lake views are on the trails.
- Bring a light jacket; mornings by the lake can be foggy and cold in November.
Planning more autumn trips? See our guides to Gongju in autumn, Gyeryongsan and Gapsa, Songnisan and Beopjusa and Danyang.
FAQ: Cheongnamdae in Autumn
When is the best time to see autumn leaves at Cheongnamdae?
From late October to mid-November. In 2026 the central region was forecast to peak around October 31–November 5, and the Cheongnamdae Autumn Festival runs October 31–November 8.
How much is admission to Cheongnamdae?
Adults ₩6,000, youth and soldiers ₩4,000, children and seniors ₩3,000. Parking is free.
Is Cheongnamdae open on Mondays?
It is normally closed on Mondays, but it opens on Mondays in April–May and October–November, including during the autumn festival.
Can I visit Cheongnamdae as a day trip from Seoul without a car?
Yes. Take an express bus to Cheongju (about 1 hour 46 minutes) and a taxi to the villa (about 40–50 minutes). Local buses exist but are infrequent.
Sources
- Reportera (Oct 27, 2026) – 2026 Cheongnamdae Autumn Festival dates, hours and programs
- Daum travel – Cheongnamdae trees, hours, Monday openings and fees
- asamaru bus timetable (updated Oct 30, 2026) – Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Cheongju
- Kakao Map – Seomun Market Samgyeopsal Alley
- ELLE Korea – Cheongju Seomun Market samgyeopsal street
Featured image: Photo: travel oriented / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)