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청주고인쇄박물관 · © KTO · KOGL Type 1
Korea
청주고인쇄박물관
청주고인쇄박물관 is a curated attraction in Korea — full details, hours, and access info on the official Korea Tourism page.
Why go
The Cheongju Early Printing Museum stands on the site where the world's oldest known metal-movable-type printed book, the Jikji, was produced in 1377 — predating Gutenberg's press by roughly 78 years. Located in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, the museum traces the history of Korean printing technology through original artifacts, replicas, and hands-on demonstrations. Visitors can observe reconstructed printing workshops, examine replica metal type, and follow the evolution from woodblock to movable-type printing. The museum provides English signage and is considered an essential stop for anyone interested in the history of global communication and book culture.
Quick highlights
- Birthplace of Jikji, the world's oldest metal-type printed book
- Predates Gutenberg's printing press by approximately 78 years
- Hands-on demonstrations of traditional Korean printing techniques available
- Reconstructed workshops show woodblock and movable-type printing processes
- English signage throughout makes the exhibits accessible to foreign visitors