Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon is an artificial river in the center of Seoul, South Korea, with a total length of about 10.9 kilometers, running through the center of Seoul. It was once an important waterway in Seoul, and was later covered and turned into an elevated bridge. In 2003, it was restored under the promotion of the mayor of Seoul, and reopened in 2005, becoming a favorite leisure place for Seoul citizens and tourists.

 

Main attractions and highlights of Cheonggyecheon

Cheonggye Plaza- 청계광장 

The starting point of Cheonggyecheon, with fountains and modern buildings on the square, is where tourists start to visit Cheonggyecheon.

Cheonggyecheon - 청계천

It is an attraction in itself, an artificial stream that runs through the center of Seoul, where tourists can stroll.

 

Cheonggyecheon Bridges- 광화문

There are many bridges along Cheonggyecheon, including historical bridges and modern design bridges. Many bridges are used for transportation, and also for tourists to take pictures or rest.

 

Cheonggyecheon Night View - 청계천 야경

At night, the lights of Cheonggyecheon and the reflection of the stream interweave into a romantic night view, which is very charming.

 

Gwanghwamun- 광화문

Located near Cheonggyecheon, it is the main gate of the Joseon Dynasty and a symbol of Korean history and culture.

 

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)- 동대문디자인플라자

A modern building and art exhibition space not far from Cheonggyecheon, it is a popular spot that combines design, culture and shopping.

 

Namsan Seoul Tower - 남산서울타워

The tower on Namsan Mountain provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, where visitors can see the beautiful scenery of Cheonggyecheon and the entire Seoul city.

 

History of Cheonggyecheon

1. Cheonggyecheon during the Joseon Dynasty
Cheonggyecheon was originally a natural stream that existed as early as the Joseon Dynasty (late 14th century to early 20th century). It was an important water source and drainage system in ancient Seoul (then called Hancheng). The banks of Cheonggyecheon were part of the city, flowing through many important commercial and residential areas in the city, playing a role in flood control, irrigation and transportation.

 

2. Changes in the early 20th century
In the mid-20th century, with the acceleration of urbanization, Cheonggyecheon was gradually buried underground. Especially in the 1960s, the old town on both sides of Cheonggyecheon was demolished and the river was covered with roads to facilitate transportation and urban expansion. This move caused the original appearance of Cheonggyecheon to gradually disappear and become a neglected underground passage.

 

3. Revival in the 2000s
In the 21st century, with the emphasis on environmental and historical and cultural protection in urban development, the Cheonggyecheon revival project was launched in 2003. In 2005, after a long period of planning and construction, Cheonggyecheon was reopened and restored to an open stream flowing through the city center.
 

The goal of the revitalization project is not only to restore the natural landscape, but also to alleviate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality and provide citizens with recreational space. The restoration of Cheonggyecheon is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's large-scale urban renewal project and is considered a successful example of environmental and urban design.

 

4. Modern Cheonggyecheon
Today, Cheonggyecheon is an artificial stream about 11 kilometers long that runs through the center of Seoul and has become a leisure destination for local residents and tourists. There are walking paths and landscape bridges on both sides of Cheonggyecheon, and there are many cultural and artistic facilities, historical sites and beautiful natural landscapes along the way. It has also become a symbol of the combination of modernization and historical heritage in Seoul.

Overall, the history of Cheonggyecheon embodies Seoul's transformation from an ancient waterway to a modern city. Today, it is not only a historical site, but also an important ecological and cultural attraction, attracting thousands of tourists and citizens to visit and relax.

 

How to get to Cheonggyecheon?

The most convenient way to get to Cheonggyecheon is by subway or public transportation in Seoul, especially the subway, because Seoul's subway system is very developed and connected to tourist attractions. Here are some specific ways to get to Cheonggyecheon

1. Subway

City Hall Station (시청역): This is one of the closest subway stations to Cheonggyecheon. It is located at the west end of Cheonggyecheon. You can walk to Cheonggyecheon after getting off at City Hall Station.

• Take: Line 1 or Line 2, get off at City Hall Station, and walk to Cheonggyecheon after exiting the station.

Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역): Another major subway station near Cheonggyecheon, located in the middle of Cheonggyecheon, a few minutes' walk away.

• Take: Line 5, get off at Gwanghwamun Station, and walk to Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Dongdaemun Station (동대문역): If you are in the Dongdaemun shopping district, Dongdaemun Station is also close to the east end of Cheonggyecheon Stream, making it a good place to walk west along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

• Take: Line 1 or Line 4, get off at Dongdaemun Station, and walk a few minutes to the destination.

 

2. Bus

There are also multiple bus lines near Cheonggyecheon. You can choose bus as a means of transportation to Cheonggyecheon:

Take a bus in Seoul (green, blue or yellow bus), and you can walk to the various entrances of Cheonggyecheon in a few minutes after getting off.

 

3. Walking

If you live in the center of Seoul, especially in areas such as Gwanghwamun, Myeongdong or Insadong, walking to Cheonggyecheon is a very convenient option. It is very simple to walk to the entrance of Cheonggyecheon, and you can also enjoy the scenery of downtown Seoul along the way.

 

4. Taxi or taxi app

If you are not familiar with subways or buses, you can also choose to take a taxi and tell the driver to go to "Cheonggyecheon" or a specific Cheonggyecheon entrance location, such as "청계광장" (Cheonggyecheon Square) or near "광화문". Using a taxi app (such as KakaoTaxi) is also a convenient option.

 

5. Recommended Cheonggyecheon entrance

• Cheonggyecheon Square (청계광장): Located at the western end of Cheonggyecheon, it is one of the most common entrances. There are fountains and modern city views here, which is suitable for starting the tour.
• Near Gwanghwamun: There is also an entrance to Cheonggyecheon near Gwanghwamun Station, which is close to the historical and cultural areas of Seoul, suitable for tourists who like history.

 

How to plan a trip？

1. Starting point: Cheonggyecheon Plaza (청계광장)

• Starting point: The starting point of Cheonggyecheon is located at Cheonggyecheon Plaza, where there is a large fountain, which is perfect for taking photos. There are many modern buildings and commercial areas near the plaza.
• Transportation: Take subway Line 1 or Line 2, get off at City Hall Station, and walk to Cheonggyecheon Plaza.
• Highlights: This is where you start your tour of Cheonggyecheon, surrounded by many shops and restaurants where you can rest.

 

2. Stroll along Cheonggyecheon

Starting from Cheonggyecheon Plaza, walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream towards Dongdaemun. The trail of Cheonggyecheon is lined with beautiful green belts, bridges and art installations, and you can enjoy the natural scenery while walking.

• Highlights: You will see many art installations, modern bridges and historical sites along the way, especially some ancient stone wall sites.

 

3. Pass by various bridges

• Cheonggyecheon Bridge (청계천 다리): There are multiple bridges along Cheonggyecheon, each with its own unique design and history. For example, the "Cheonggye Bridge" and "Seo Bridge" provide beautiful views overlooking Cheonggyecheon.
• Recommendation: Stop at different bridges, take photos and enjoy the beautiful views of the bridges and the reflections on the water.

 

4. Visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자, DDP)

When you arrive near Dongdaemun, you will enter the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) area, which is a center for modern design and cultural arts, and the architecture is very futuristic. You can visit the exhibitions and art facilities of DDP, or stop here to rest.

• Highlights: Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a representative of modern architecture in Seoul, surrounded by many shopping areas and restaurants, which is perfect for tasting traditional Seoul cuisine.

 

5. Continue eastward and arrive at Dongdaemun (동대문)

If you continue eastward along Cheonggyecheon, you will reach Dongdaemun District, one of the historical and cultural centers of Seoul, with many shops and night markets, suitable for shopping and experiencing nightlife.
Highlights: Dongdaemun is not only a shopping paradise, but also has the ruins of Dongdaemun City Wall, which is a good place to experience the traditional culture of Seoul.

 

6. The end of Cheonggyecheon (East End)

End: The east end of Cheonggyecheon can reach the vicinity of "Dongdaemun", where there are more cultural heritage and buildings to visit. If you have time, cultural attractions around Dongdaemun (such as Dongdaemun Market) can also be included in the tour.

 

Recommended additional attractions

Gwanghwamun (광화문): If you start your tour at the western end of Cheonggyecheon, it is recommended to visit Gwanghwamun on the way. Gwanghwamun is a symbol of Korean history and culture and a very meaningful historical site. You can visit Gwanghwamun Square and surrounding attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁).
Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워): If you want a wider panoramic view of the city, you can head to Namsan Seoul Tower, which is not far from Cheonggyecheon. The top of the tower offers a 360-degree view of Seoul, especially at night.

 

Tips for visiting

1. The entire tour of Cheonggyecheon takes about 2-3 hours, but if you plan to visit museums, historical sites, and shopping areas along the way, it may take more time.
2. Cheonggyecheon regularly hosts various cultural events, such as the Light Festival and concerts. You can check the relevant information in advance.
3. There are many shopping malls and markets near Cheonggyecheon, where you can go shopping.