Cheongju

Cheongju (Korean: 청주) is the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea. It is an important place in the country, known for its history and culture. The name "Cheongju" comes from the province it is located in, which also has the word "Cheong" in its name.

The city has many interesting places to visit and learn about, making it a special part of South Korea. People living there enjoy a mix of modern life and traditions that have been around for a long time. Cheongju is a key city in the region, helping connect different parts of the country.

History

Cheongju has been an important town for a very long time. In the Cheongju Mountains, people have found old ruins from the Old Stone Age to the Bronze Age. There are also places where people lived during the Paleolithic Age, like the Durubong Cave Site.

After the kingdoms of Korea were united by Silla in 676, Cheongju, like other places, began to follow Buddhism. This happened because of the Silla culture's links with the Silk Road, which helped Buddhism travel from Nepal through Northern China to Korea. During the Goryeo era, especially when Gwangjong was ruler, many Buddhist monuments were made. One of these is Cheol Danggan, built in 962 near what used to be Yongdu Temple. It is a special flagpole used to honor Buddha and was named a National Treasure by South Korea in 1962. In the Joseon period, Cheongju started to follow Confucianism as its main belief.

Many temples were built in Cheongju over the years. For example, Yonghwasa Temple dates back to the Goryeo period, and Bulguksa Temple was built in the 8th century during the Silla Dynasty. These temples helped advance printing in Korea, including making books. One important document was printed at Heungdeok Temple in 1377 during the Goryeo Dynasty.

One of the first schools in North Chungcheong Province was started in Cheongju in 1896. During the Baekje Dynasty, many tombs were built around the city. There are also forts from the Joseon Dynasty, like Sangdangsanseong, which helped connect the northern and southern parts of Korea after the Japanese invasion in 1592.

In 1593, a big battle happened in Cheongju between Japanese forces and the Joseon kingdom. Over 8,000 Korean warrior monks fought in this battle during Hideyoshi's Invasions of Korea.

The government moved to Cheongju from Chungju in 1908. In 1926, a new train line opened, which helped the area grow. In 1946, Cheongju and Cheongwon-gun became separate. In 1949, Cheongju became a city. Later, in 1989, two branch offices were created and became Sangdang District and Heungdeok District.

Cheongju grew very fast, with its population increasing from about 147,000 in 1970 to more than 582,000 by 2000. One of the important documents Baekje Hideyoshi's Invasions of Korea Chungju

Geography

The Geum River flows through the center of Cheongju, and smaller rivers like Musim and Miho join together in the northern part of the city. Mountains named Wuam and Bumo are to the east and west, and the Musimcheon River also runs through the middle of Cheongju.

Cheongju experiences four seasons due to its temperate climate. It has a humid continental climate, which sometimes feels like a humid subtropical climate depending on the temperature.

Administrative districts

Cheongju and Cheongwon County joined together on July 1, 2014. The city now has four main districts.

• Heungdeok District is in the west part of the city.
• Seowon District is in the south part of the city.
• Sangdang District is in the east part of the city.
• Cheongwon District is in the north part of the city.

Government and infrastructure

The main offices of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are in the Osong Health Technology Administration Complex.

Cultural properties

Cheongju has many important historical places. Sangdangsanseong, also called Sangdang Mountain Fortress, is an old wall that goes around Mount Uam. It was fixed up in 1716 and you can visit a small village with restaurants inside.

The Cheongju National Museum is also near Mount Uam and shows many old things from the area. At the Heungdeoksa Temple Site, you can find the Early Printing Museum. This museum is special because it is where Jikji[/w/2], the oldest book printed with metal letters, was made.

There is also an old Iron Flagpole of the Yongdu Temple Site nearby. It is very tall and made from iron pieces, and it used to hold flags for special events a long time ago.

A new museum called the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – Cheongju will open soon. It is being built in an old factory and will show modern art while also helping save energy.

Chojeonghaenggung was a place where a famous king stayed when he wasn’t feeling well. Some believe he finished creating the Korean alphabet here. It was rebuilt and opened to visitors in 2020.

Cheongnamdae used to be a special house for leaders of South Korea. It opened to the public in 2003 and now has gardens, walking paths, and places to learn about history. The Cheongju Early Printing Museum at the Heungdeoksa Temple Site shows how books were printed long ago, especially focusing on Jikji.

Transport

Cheongju International Airport offers flights within Korea and to other parts of Asia. The main train station is at Ogeunjang, about 8 km north of the city hall, and is on the Chungbuk Line. Cheongju Bus Terminal connects to many cities, with tickets sold from early morning until late at night. Cheongju Express Bus Terminal has buses to places like Seoul and Busan.

In 2025, the express bus terminal moved to the basement of 'Connect Hyundai Cheongju', and plans are in place for the intercity bus terminal to move soon.

Education

Cheongju has many places for higher learning, including several universities and schools. Some of these include Cheongju National University of Education, Cheongju University, Chungbuk National University, Chung Cheong University, Korea Air Force Academy, Korea National University of Education, and Seowon University. There is also Chungbuk Health & Science University in the area.

Festival

Cheongju holds the Cheongju International Craft Biennale, usually in September or October. There are also events like the Osong Cosmetic and Beauty Expo and the K-Pet Fair at Osco in Osong.

Twin towns – sister cities

Notable people from Cheongju

Cheongju is home to many talented people who have become famous in different areas. Some well-known names include:

• Cho Sung-dal, a footballer.
• Choi Eun-sil, a basketball player.
• Choi Ji-hyun and a short track speed skater.
• Choi Soon-ho, a football coach and former player.
• Han Hyo-joo, an actress.
• Hwang Eun-bi, known as SinB, a singer from the group Viviz.
• Im Jin-ah, known as Nana, a singer, actress, and model from groups After School and Orange Caramel.
• Ji Chang-min, known as Q, a singer and dancer from The Boyz.
• Ji Min-hyuk, an actor.
• Jun Hyo-seong, a singer and actress from Secret.
• Kim Ji-woo, known as Chuu, a singer from Loona.
• Kim Jung-eun, known as Kim Lip, a singer-songwriter from Loona.
• Kim Joo-young, known as Jooyoung, a singer-songwriter.
• Kim So-yeon, known as Kassy, a singer and rapper.
• C. S. Lee, an actor and comedian.
• Lee Jin-wook, an actor.
• Lee Na-eun, a singer and actress from April.
• Lee Seung-hee, a ceramic artist.
• Lee Yi-kyung, an actor.
• Moonbin, a singer from Astro.
• Moon Sua, a singer from Billlie.
• Moon Sang Min, an actor.
• Na Young-seok, a television producer.
• Park Cho-rong, a singer-songwriter and actress from Apink.
• Shin Dong-woo, known as CNU, a singer-songwriter, rapper, and actor from B1A4.
• Yoon Dae-woong, known as Bigman, a beatboxer, singer-songwriter, and composer.
• Bae Ho-young, known as Hoyoung, a singer and rapper from Verivery.
• Wonstein, a rapper and singer.
• Yoo Hae-jin, an actor.
• Lee Si-young, an actress.
• Kim Kang-hoon, a child actor.
• Yoyomi, a trot singer.