Cheongju Heritage Media Art 2026: Last Week (to Oct 24), Free Night Shows

Four heritage sites in downtown Cheongju light up every evening until Saturday, October 24, with free media art shows projected onto old stone, wood and a 900-year-old tree.

Why go

• It's free and outdoors. The shows play in the streets of Cheongju's old town center, so you simply walk from one site to the next.
• Real heritage as the screen. The projections run on the Iron Flagpole at Yongdusa Temple Site, Mangseollu Pavilion, the Apgaksu Ginkgo Tree and the Main Gate to the Chungcheong Provincial Army Commander's Headquarters.
• A story in nine scenes. The theme is "Shining a Brilliant Light on Cheongju's Treasures": a giant ship called Juseong wakes up and sails through the city's history, from state exam records to the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598.
• Last chance. This is the final week of the 2026 edition.
• The organizers run an English website, which is not common for a regional night event.

When

- Every evening 19:00-22:00, until Saturday, October 24.
- Show times from the official leaflet:
- Scene 1, "Voyage of a Thousand Years" (Iron Flagpole, 5 min): 19:00, 19:40, 20:20, 21:00
- Scene 2, "Wisdom" (Mangseollu Pavilion, 15 min): 19:10, 19:30, 19:50, 20:10, 20:30, 20:50
- Scene 3, "Life" (Apgaksu Ginkgo Tree, 10 min): 19:30, 19:50, 20:10, 20:30, 20:50, 21:10
- Scene 4, "Protection" (Army Headquarters Main Gate, 5 min): 19:45, 20:05, 20:25, 20:45, 21:05, 21:25
- Scene 5, "Aspiration" (Iron Flagpole, 15 min): 19:20, 20:00, 20:40, 21:20
- On weekends and public holidays a parade opens the night, 18:40-19:00, from Seongan-gil street to the Iron Flagpole. In the days left, that means Saturday, October 24.
- Light streets, photo zones and pop-up media art in empty shops along Seongan-gil run all evening.

Cost

- Free. The shows are open to everyone, and the Korea Tourism Organization lists the event as free.
- Free extras:
- Audio walking tour (Scene 6): 19:00 and 21:00, about 30 minutes, starting at the Iron Flagpole. Sign up in advance on the official site. Bring your phone and your own earphones, because loaner headsets can run out. The site does not mention an English version.
- Night walk with a heritage guide: daily at 20:00 except Mondays, meeting at the Cheongju Tourist Information Center (21, Sangdang-ro 55beon-gil). Sign-up is through a QR code on the official site. The guide's language is not stated.
- Stamp tour: collect stamps at the scenes, then show them at the main information booth for a small gift.

Getting there

- The venue is Cheongju's old downtown in Sangdang-gu, centered on the Iron Flagpole at Yongdusa Temple Site.
- Express and intercity buses connect Seoul and Cheongju. Check times and the last bus back when you book.
- Nearby city bus stops listed by the organizers:
- Yongdusaji Cheoldanggan, toward Yukgeori Market (stop 1611)
- Youth Startup Support Center (stops 1541 and 1540)
- Cheongju Bridge (stops 1543 and 1542)
- There is no event parking. The organizers ask visitors to use public transport; paid lots are around Seongan-gil.

Tips

• The five projection shows repeat on a staggered schedule, so you can walk between sites and catch each one. Keep the times above on your phone.
• Rain can cancel the shows. Check the official site before you set off.
• On Fridays and Saturdays the nearby Yukgeori Night Market is open 19:00-23:00, handy for dinner after the shows.
• The area around the Iron Flagpole gets crowded just before each show. Agree on a meeting point with friends in case you get separated.
• Late-October evenings are cool. Bring a warm layer.
• If you come from Seoul for the evening, book your return ticket early and check the last departure.

Going alone?

omeetu's meetup spots are in Seoul, Busan and Jeju, so the closest one is Seoul Hongdae. Open a meetup there to find others for a Cheongju evening trip and travel down together. Meet first in a busy public place, and keep chats inside the app. Teen members have limits on meetups between 22:00 and 06:00, so plan an early return.

Questions on the day

• Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation, Contents Convergence Team: +82-43-219-1020
• Emergencies in Korea: 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (travel hotline with English support)

Official site: 2026 Cheongju National Heritage Media Art