Unlike other cities, Cheongju does not attract visitors through fame. It is not as glamorous as Seoul, nor is it packaged with the flair of Jeonju. It is not an ancient city of history like Gyeongju or Buyeo, nor does it boast a multitude of tourist attractions. Even those who think, "Maybe I should take a trip," tend to regard Cheongju as a transit point rather than a destination. However, Cheongju is a city to behold. Its true value is revealed only when you stay here and look closely. The tranquil scenery, spaces where art seamlessly blends with daily life, and the records and memories layered within the earth allow us to see the true face of Cheongju that we often overlook. Thus, to those who embark on a journey with a serious perspective, Cheongju approaches like a deep, thoughtful friend.

Cheongju is a city that possesses a deep resonance that lingers in memory, rather than a single powerful blow. It was also refreshing to see that it did not feel like the gloomy atmosphere of a declining provincial city. This is because the production facilities of major corporations such as SK Hynix and LG are located here, standing alongside Pyeongtaek, which is vibrant as a semiconductor manufacturing base. Whenever I visited Cheongju and walked the streets, the impression of the young people I encountered—their expressions and movements—was as vibrant as the color green.

Located in the inland region of the Korean Peninsula, Chungcheongbuk-do offers no sea views. Instead, vast rice paddies and fields nestled between handsome mountains serve as the gardens of Cheongju. However, there is no need to feel disappointed by the absence of the ocean. Two of the largest lakes in the country are situated near Cheongju. If you wish to linger amidst a landscape of harmony where mountains and water mingle, Cheongju is the place to come. The scenery created by these expansive lakes is by no means inferior to that of the sea. Human memory tends to be linear, so we do not easily associate inland areas with water. However, after exploring every corner of Cheongju, it truly feels like a city of water. As I visited more frequently, the beautiful spots that were finally visible became clearer to me. I have personally selected some must-see attractions that you should not miss.

Rather than a powerful blow, something that lingers in memory for a long time

Cheongju is a city with a deep resonance.

A landscape of contemplation reflected on the water's surface, Daecheong Lake Lakeside Road

Daecheong Lake, where the noise of the city fades and the speed of time slows. Spanning between Chungcheongbuk-do and Daejeon, this artificial lake displays its most tranquil and refined scenery, particularly along the lakeside path on the Munui-myeon side of Sangdang-gu, Cheongju. The path, where forests, reed fields, wooden decks, and the shimmering water connect, is perfect for walking or cycling. The course, extending from the Munui Cultural Heritage Complex—established to preserve our unique traditional culture—to the Nature Ecology Learning Center, allows you to experience only the textures of nature without any artificiality just by walking. It feels as if you can breathe naturally. The scenery by the lake, where a breeze blows with a rhythm different from the city, is a blessing. It feels like the voice of a friendly neighbor who greets you with a smile when you meet face-to-face.

From a Space of Power to a Citizens' Sanctuary, Cheongnamdae

Cheongnamdae, once used as an exclusive presidential retreat, is named after its meaning of "a villa south of the Blue House." It encompasses expansive gardens, walking paths, a lake, and an exhibition hall. Access to this site was restricted to the general public for 20 years, starting in 1983. Now, it is a public space open to all citizens. Walking along paths imbued with the philosophies of past presidents and adorned with their statues, one can feel the traces of power and thought accumulated within this space. Cheongnamdae, transformed from an inaccessible sanctuary of power into a resting place for citizens, remains beautiful. Even if one wishes to turn away from memories of the past, the beauty created by time remains unchanged. As you gaze at the Sequoia-lined path and the pond fountain beyond the setting sun, you feel that coming here was well worth it. If you visit Cheongju, it is well worth making a special trip to see.

I feel like I can breathe on my own.

The scenery by the lake, where the wind blows with a rhythm different from the city center, is a blessing.

A place where lakes and art meet, Cheongju City Daecheongho Art Museum

Driving along Daecheong Lake, you will come across the Cheongju City Daecheong Lake Art Museum. Nestled amidst nature, this museum stands out so prominently that the building itself resembles a sculpture. The high-quality special exhibitions, reflecting the trends of modern and contemporary art, resonate deeply, much like the feeling of encountering something extraordinary in an unexpected location. The outdoor sculpture park, featuring a permanent collection of innovative sculptures, can be seen as the result of a power struggle between contemplation and art. Although it is a public art museum that is easy to overlook, its presence is formidable. The tranquil surface of Daecheong Lake visible beyond the quiet walking paths, combined with the artistic scenes unfolding at the museum, intensely transforms one's memories of this place. It is a landscape where art and nature stand side by side without any sense of incongruity.

A place that sought to change the world with writing: Cheongju Ancient Printing Museum and Heungdeoksa Temple Site

When thinking of Cheongju, the first thing that comes to mind is the *Jikji Simche Yojeol*, the world's first book printed using movable metal type. Heungdeoksa Temple is the very place where the *Jikji* was printed in 1377. On the site where only the temple ruins remain today, the Cheongju Museum of Ancient Printing stands to commemorate the greatness of this documentary heritage. It encapsulates the evolutionary process of records, spanning from woodblocks to metal and lead type, and demonstrates how writing has transformed humanity. This museum resonates deeply with those who view our culture with a serious perspective. It was not until 1972 that the *Jikji* was identified as the world's first book printed using movable metal type. Among our cultural heritage, the *Jikji* possesses a powerful influence worthy of being proudly presented to the world.

Historical narratives solidify into memory when they are visible and tangible. This is the case with Johannes Gutenberg of Germany, who perfected movable metal type for the first time in the West and spread printing technology. Statues and traces honoring him are well preserved throughout Germany. They serve as impeccable devices that evoke Gutenberg and his first publication, the Gutenberg Bible, in unexpected places. In comparison, the presence of the Jikji, produced before the Gutenberg Bible, is significantly diminished. This is because only printed copies remain, without highlighting the creator. Furthermore, since the Jikji is currently housed in France, it feels merely like a historical fact. Fortunately, the establishment of the Museum of Ancient Printing at the site of Heungdeoksa Temple, where the Jikji was created, somewhat alleviates this sense of regret.

Strolling across the lawn of the Heungdeoksa Temple Site outside the museum, one realizes that this was not merely a temple ruin, but a center of historical records. Nearby, Jikji Culture Park and the Cheongju Ancient Printing Museum Street are connected. Art sculptures, bookstores, and shops selling Jikji-related souvenirs along the street further enrich the cultural identity of this area.

High-quality curated exhibitions reflecting the trends of modern and contemporary art are

It gives a resonance like seeing something great in an unexpected place.

The urban sensibility that bloomed in an old warehouse, Dongbu Warehouse

An old tobacco warehouse in the heart of the city has been reborn as a cultural hub. Dongbu Warehouse is a complex cultural space created by remodeling the site of a tobacco manufacturing plant used during the 1960s and 1970s. Exhibition rooms, performance halls, book cafes, and workshops welcome visitors with unique appearances in each section of the warehouse. This place demonstrates that creativity is not something extraordinary, but something that can naturally emerge from the fringes of everyday life. Although it may feel imperfect, the sense of stability in the spatial harmony filled by the traces of time is appealing. From small concerts held in the resonant space to light filtering through the old pillars, the unique atmosphere of Dongbu Warehouse is enough to captivate the discerning traveler.

Layers of time encountered on the outskirts of the city, Sangdangsanseong Fortress and Sanseong Village

Just a short distance from the center of Cheongju, Sangdangsanseong Fortress reveals itself as a stone-walled mountain fortress built during the early Joseon Dynasty. Walking along the 4.2-kilometer ramparts encircling Mt. Sangdang (482m above sea level), one feels the layers of time amidst the serene scenery. In particular, descending toward Sanseong Village reveals a continuous stretch of old stone walls, Hanok (traditional Korean houses), and quaint alleys. The fortress walls, connecting the past to the present, also serve as the boundary of the village. These traces, which vividly convey the layers of time, present themselves as the three-dimensional face of Cheongju's history. The book cafes and small galleries hidden within Sanseong Village serve as sweet pauses that continue the lingering atmosphere.

The traces that make you realize the layers of time are

It approaches as the three-dimensional face of Cheongju's history.

Cheongju does not feel like the hurried rush of following trends. That is why memories linger longer. This city, where resonance rather than mere excitement and texture rather than glamour resonate, is perfect for those who do not want to spend time mixed with half-bakedness. It is a place where sincerity draws in the the longer you stay, even without great fame. In Cheongju, you shouldn't move fast. Take your time, stroll leisurely, and follow your heart. Even if you make all the concessions necessary, a sense of substantial weight remains. If the phrase "Let it be," often used by people from Chungcheong, spontaneously pops out of your mouth, you have truly experienced Cheongju.

You must not move quickly in Cheongju.

Slowly, leisurely, as the heart desires.

Even after giving up everything I could, a sense of heaviness remains.

Illustration | Artist Yoon Gwang-jun captured a portion of the scenery he saw in Cheongju in a single painting. Centered on the Daecheong Lake shoreline, the painting depicts Cheongnamdae, the Cheongju Ancient Printing Museum, and the Dongbu Warehouse.

External contributions to the Editorial Department are intended to provide a multifaceted perspective on local culture and industry and may differ from the views of the Editorial Department.

Yoon Gwang-jun

As an artist who practices the artistic transformation of everyday life, he never neglects visiting art museums and concert halls. He has traveled extensively both domestically and internationally to enrich his own experiences. Based on the theory that experience solidifies taste and leads to an aesthetic sensibility, he has published books such as *The Ecstasy of Sound*, *The Ecstasy of the Garden*, *A Single Well-Taken Photograph*, *Yoon Kwang-jun's Lifestyle Masterpieces 101*, *Lessons in Aesthetics*, and *Creative Gaze*. He is also an advocate who believes that making the beauty of everyday life one's own leads directly to doing what one truly loves.