Cheongun Literature Library, the first hanok public library in Seoul, sits surrounded by nature at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain. Built by the Jongno-gu Office, it blends traditional architecture with the surrounding landscape.
A hanok is a traditional Korean house built with natural materials like wood, clay, stone, and traditional Korean paper (hanji). These houses, popular during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), feature curved, tiled roofs, elegant eaves, underfloor heating (ondol), wooden floors, and courtyards.
Hanok are often built in harmony with nature, like the Cheongun Literature Library, which sits at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain, surrounded by trees and mountains.
The library has around 3,000 handmade roof titles repurposed from the demolition of the Donuimun New Town area. The tiles are similar to those used to restore Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun Gate).
The library has two floors. The ground floor features a traditional hanok design. The underground floor uses concrete to support the building and its spacious outdoor yard.
The ground floor is designed for reading and includes seminar rooms, while the underground floor houses many books. Visitors can bring borrowed books upstairs to read, where they can fully appreciate the hanok architecture of the library and surrounding nature.
Surrounding Cheongun Literature Library is Cheongun Park. From here, trails once walked by poet Yun Dong-ju and artist Gyeomjae Jeongseon lead past monuments, pavilions, and viewpoints. Also nearby is the Hill of Poet Yun Dong-ju, Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum, and the Site of Gyeomjae Jeongseon’s House.
Cheongun Literature Library Information
Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Admission
Free
Address
40 Jahamun-ro 36-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
GPS Coordinates: 37.59040, 126.96586
Map
Official Website
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Last Updated on Mar 20, 2025