Fly Directly to Cheongju and Fall in Love with This Enchanting City- VISITKOREA

- - Fly Directly to Cheongju and Fall in Love with This Enchanting City
    
    08/21/2024
    
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    Cheongju
    
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Credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Cheongju may be a small city, but it has been the backdrop for many beloved K-Dramas. Conveniently located about 50 minutes from Seoul via the high-speed KTX train, Cheongju is also home to Cheongju International Airport, which offers direct flights to various cities around the world. This makes Cheongju an ideal destination for a short, Hallyu-themed getaway. If you’re eager to explore the world of K-Dramas away from the hustle and bustle of large cities, consider a visit to Cheongju.

| A Historical Site and a Popular Filming Location

① Cheongju Jungang Park
Credit: Korea Tourism Organization
Stills from the drama “The Glory"

Jungang Park is a cherished spot among Cheongju locals, rich with historic sites. The most famous is the massive ginkgo tree called “Apgaksu”, a towering 20-meter-tall tree with a circumference of 9 meters, estimated to be over a thousand years. This iconic tree was featured in the Netflix series "The Glory", starring Song Hye-kyo and Lee Do-hyun. Notably, it was the location where Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo) learned to play Go (baduk) from Yeo-jeong (played by Lee Do-hyun). The scene beautifully captured the changing scenery of the four seasons in the park. While the bench from the show is no longer there, you can still explore the area around this ancient tree, especially the Goryeo-era Mangseollu Pavilion.

[Cheongju Jungang Park]

Address: 117 Namsa-ro, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 청주시 상당구 남사로 117)

Inquiries: +82-43-201-5013 (Sangdang-gu Office)

② Yonghwasa Temple

Credit: Yonghwasa Temple

Stills from the drama “The Glory"

Another notable location featured in the "The Glory" is Yonghwasa Temple, Cheongju’s premier Buddhist temple in the heart of the city. It’s the site where Hye-jeong (Cha Joo-young), a former school bully, is blackmailed into serving Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), her past victim. The centerpiece of the temple is Yonghwabojeon Hall, where Dong-eun offers her prayers. This hall houses seven sculptures of Buddha, which have been designated as a Treasure of Korea, exemplifying Goryeo Buddhist art from a millennium ago. Yonghwasa Temple also offers various programs that allow visitors to experience the culture of Korean Buddhism, including temple cuisine and Templestay programs.

[Yonghwasa Temple]

Address: 565 Musimseo-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 청주시 서원구 무심서로 565)

Inquiries: +82-43-274-2159

③ Ullidan Street

Credit: Yi Ju-hyeon, Travel Leader 16th Gen.

Credit: Oingt

Located near Hungdok Elementary School in Uncheon-dong, Ullidan Street is a lively area filled with quirky cafés and craft shops, making it a popular hangout for the youth of Cheongju. Named after Itaewon’s famous Gyeongnidan Street, Ullidan Street may be smaller, but it offers plenty of interesting spots for travelers to explore. One such place is Café Oingt, which served as the banchan shop run by Haeng-seon (Jeon Do-yeon) in the drama "Crash Course in Romance". The café still retains the store logo from the show, making it a must-visit for fans to snap a picture.

[Ullidan Street]

Address: 121 Heungdeok-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do [충청북도 청주시 흥덕구 흥덕로 121 (흥덕초등학교)]

Oingt: 1F, 47 Jikji-daero 753beon-gil, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 청주시 흥덕구 직지대로753번길 47 1층)

| Also Consider These Famous Tourist Sites in Cheongju

Credit: Kim Do-yeon, Travel Leader 14th Gen.

Credit: Kim Do-yeon, Travel Leader 14th Gen.

Cheongju’s Culture Factory is a vibrant cultural space housed in a former tobacco manufacturing facility. It hosts a range of exhibitions and performances, including a permanent exhibition that highlights why Cheongju is known as the “city of crafts”. You can also visit the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, which shares the site with the Culture Factory. Nearby, the Dongbu-Changko storehouse has been refurbished to serve as a hub for local artists. The premises also feature a charming café, making it a perfect spot to relax after exploring the exhibitions.

[Culture Factory]

Address: 314 Sangdang-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 청주시 청원구 상당로 314)

Inquiries: +82-43-219-1800

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00–19:00, closed on Mondays

Website: Korean Craft Museum

Credit: Naver Blog-nayusi0610

Credit: Naver Blog-nayusi0610

If you find yourself getting hungry during your visit, head to Yukgeori Market, the largest traditional market in Cheongju. Here, you can sample a variety of traditional dishes, such as tteokbokki, mandu, pancakes, grilled galbi patties, and braised pigs' feet. One must-try item from the market is the grilled laver, seasoned with freshly squeezed oil.

[Yukgeori Market]

Address: 131 Seokgyo-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 청주시 상당구 석교동 131)

Inquiries: +82-43-222-6696

More info

1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330

1330 Text Chat: https://m.site.naver.com/1rEid

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* This column was last updated in July 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.