Located north of Gyeongbokgung Palace and backed by Bugaksan, Cheong Wa Dae’s blue-tiled roofs form one of Seoul’s most symbolic views. For decades it served as the presidential residence, closed off from everyday visitors. Now open to the public, it has become a key place to understand modern Korean history. In front of the main building, tour groups, families, and couples gather to take photos. The architecture feels calm, yet the space is filled with memories of political decisions and public expectations. Inside, exhibition halls display portraits of former presidents and formal reception rooms. The carpets, lighting, and furniture reflect a certain aesthetic of power, while the raised-relief map of the Korean Peninsula feels like a visual summary of inter-Korean tension, hope, and reality all at once.
