A book printed in Cheongju in 1377
The Buddhist anthology commonly called Jikji was printed at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju in 1377 using movable metal type. The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), which preserves the surviving second volume, describes Jikji as the world's oldest known surviving book printed using movable metal type. The surviving original is held in France, not on display as an original manuscript in Cheongju. Distinguishing replicas from the original is part of understanding the story.
What to discover on site
Cheongju Early Printing Museum introduces Jikji, the Heungdeoksa temple site, movable-type casting and the history of printing through exhibition halls and digital installations. Follow the material on the book's creation and journey, the techniques of making and arranging metal characters, and the archaeological discovery of Heungdeoksa. Learning the story indoors before visiting the temple site helps the landscape make sense.
Before you go
The museum's official website lists general hours of 09:00–18:00, closing on Mondays, January 1 and Seollal, at 713 Jikji-daero, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. Activities and guided sessions may require separate checks. A parking-closure popup appeared on the official site, so do not assume parking is available. Confirm admission charges, current parking and any workshop reservations immediately before visiting.