🏛 Introduction to the Cheongju Early Printing Museum
If you visit Cheongju, there is one place you absolutely must see — the Cheongju Early Printing Museum(청주고인쇄박물관).
This museum was built on the site of Heungdeoksa Temple, where the world’s oldest metal-printed book, Jikji Simche Yojeol (Jikji 직지), was printed in 1377.
Jikji is recognized as the oldest extant book printed with movable metal type in human history and was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register on September 4, 2001.
Inside the museum, you can explore a wide range of printing tools and artifacts from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, experiencing firsthand the history of books and printing.
- It is a historic space where you can encounter the roots of Korean printing culture along with the legacy of Heungdeoksa.
- Highlights include the world’s first metal-printed book Jikji, exhibitions on woodblocks, metal type, printing tools, and preservation/research facilities.
📸 Cheongju Early Printing Museum Visitor Information
⏰ Hours
Daily 09:00–18:00
Last admission 17:00
Closed Mondays, January 1, Lunar New Year & Chuseok (open after 14:00 on those days)
💰 Admission Free
🚗 Parking Free parking available at the museum
🎤 Guided Tours 10:00–17:00 (on-site or by phone reservation)
📞 Contact
713 Jikji-daero, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk
Tel. +82-43-201-4266
🌐 Official Website
http://cheongju.go.kr/jikjiworld/index.do
📚 Museum Layout
- Main Exhibition Hall (Cheongju Early Printing Museum): The core space where you can see the history of Jikji, early printing, tools, and the metal type process.
- Heungdeoksa Temple Site: Founded in the 9th century during Unified Silla and active until the late Goryeo dynasty. This is where Jikji was printed in 1377. Though the temple no longer stands, restored structures such as the main hall and stone pagoda help recreate the atmosphere.
- Modern Printing History Hall: Exhibits the transition from traditional to modern and contemporary printing.
- Metal Type Training Center: A hands-on educational space where you can experience metal type casting and printing yourself.
✨ Must-see Course: Main Exhibition Hall + Heungdeoksa Temple Site
📖 What is Jikji Simche Yojeol(직지심체요절)?
Jikji was compiled by the Buddhist monk Baegun during the Goryeo dynasty to make the teachings of Seon (Zen) Buddhism more accessible.
Its full title is Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojeol (白雲和尙抄錄佛祖直指心體要節), but because the name is long, it is usually shortened to simply Jikji(직지).
🪙 What Does Jikji Contain?
Jikji is a collection of Buddhist Seon teachings.
It is based on the work transmitted by Seokok Seonsa, supplemented with materials such as Seonmun Yeomsong and Chimun Gyeonghun.
The contents include:
- Teachings of seven past Buddhas
- The 28 Indian patriarchs
- 110 Chinese Zen masters
→ A total of 145 masters’ teachings
Additionally, the text features 307 verses, chants, hymns, proverbs, prefaces, dharma talks, and dialogues.
Among Korean monks, only Dae Ryeong Seonsa of Silla is included, with his teachings appearing in the second volume.
🪷 Core Philosophy of Jikji
If you look directly into your mind and realize your true nature, you become a Buddha.
🪙 Printing Culture of Goryeo and the Background of Jikji
The Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) fostered one of the most advanced printing cultures in the world.
Woodblock printing of Buddhist scriptures and the Tripitaka was actively carried out at the state level, and Goryeo’s paper, ink, and craftsmanship were renowned even in China.
By the 13th century, the need for faster and more efficient sharing of knowledge grew, leading to the invention of movable metal type printing.
Thanks to centuries of accumulated skill and tradition, Jikji was able to be printed at Heungdeoksa in Cheongju in 1377, earning recognition as the world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type.
🪙 Printing Characteristics of Jikji
In Jikji, you can find traces such as reversed characters, tilted letters, or missing characters later corrected by hand.
Rather than flaws, these are authentic marks that prove it is indeed the world’s first metal-printed book. They also show the experimental spirit of Goryeo’s printing technology.
✨ Why Is This Important?
What might look like printing “mistakes” today actually reveal the technical process of that era.
These imperfections are evidence that Jikji was printed with movable metal type, showcasing the innovation and pioneering efforts of Goryeo printers.
🪙 Before Gutenberg, There Was Jikji
In 1455, Johannes Gutenberg printed the 42-line Bible in Germany, sparking what is often called the first printing revolution.
But here is the remarkable fact: 78 years earlier, in 1377, Jikji had already been printed with movable metal type at Heungdeoksa in Cheongju.
World history books often highlight Gutenberg, but the true honor of the world’s oldest metal-printed book belongs to Jikji.
👉 In summary:
- Gutenberg: Symbol of the European printing revolution, catalyst for knowledge democratization
- Jikji: The real first, the world’s earliest movable metal type book, born in Korea in 1377
👩🎓 The Story of Dr. Park Byeong-sun
Born in Seoul in 1923, Dr. Park Byeong-sun graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of History Education. Seeking broader academic horizons, she went to France in 1955 to continue her studies.
While working as a librarian at the National Library of France (BnF), she was inspired by her mentor’s advice to search for Korean cultural treasures taken abroad.
In 1972, among dust-covered Asian manuscripts, she discovered a remarkable book: Jikji Simche Yojeol. Printed in 1377, Jikji predated Gutenberg’s Bible by 78 years. She even verified its authenticity by experimenting with metal type herself. Later that year, she played a decisive role in introducing Jikji to the world at the “International Book Year” exhibition in Paris.
She also discovered 297 volumes of the Uigwe, royal protocol records of the Joseon dynasty, in the BnF. Without her efforts, these invaluable documents might never have been known. Thanks to her dedication, the Uigwe were eventually returned to Korea in 2011.
For her lifetime achievements, Dr. Park was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Dongbaek Medal in 2007, and the Moran Medal in 2011.
🌟 Key Achievements of Dr. Park Byeong-sun
- Researched and introduced Jikji, the world’s oldest movable metal type book
- Discovered, cataloged, and organized the 297 volumes of the Uigwe at the BnF
- Played a central role in the 2011 return of the Uigwe to Korea
- Elevated the international recognition of Korea’s printing heritage and documentary culture
- Awarded the Order of Civil Merit: Dongbaek Medal (2007) and Moran Medal (2011)
🏯 Heungdeoksa Temple Site, Where Jikji Was Born
Heungdeoksa(흥덕사) Temple, where Jikji was printed, was originally built in the 9th century during Unified Silla and remained active until the late Goryeo dynasty.
Although the temple no longer stands, excavations in 1985 revealed relics such as a bronze temple bell fragment inscribed with “Heungdeoksa” and Buddhist artifacts, confirming the site as the birthplace of Jikji.
Today, the Heungdeoksa site stands alongside the Cheongju Early Printing Museum as proof that Cheongju is truly a city of world printing heritage.
After touring the museum, it’s just a short walk to the temple site. The restored main hall, three-story stone pagoda, and the expansive grounds make for a pleasant stroll. Linking the history you saw in the exhibition with the actual site creates a special and lasting impression.
🎥 For a more vivid experience, check out the Shorts video here 👇🏻
More about traveling in Cheongju 👇🏻
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