Cheonggyecheon – 청계천, is a stream that runs for 11km in the center of Seoul, the modern recreational space along its banks is a good way to find relax for a while during your visit of the capital of South Korea.
Cheonggyecheon stream flowed peacefully during the Joseon dynasty until 1958, when it was entirely buried and covered with concrete and an elevated highway during the post-war economic boom that completely changed Seoul pushing it towards the modern and industrialized megalopolis which is today. Fortunately, a more conscious shift in perspectives from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, aimed at modernizing in a not harmful way for the city and its inhabitants, has created an urban plan that has resurrected the Cheonggyecheon , bringing it back to new life in 2005 despite several criticisms and protests from citizens, many of whom have probably changed their minds due to the appreciation by the inhabitants of Seoul that populate the green public space daily.
Cheonggyecheon stream is located on Cheonggye Square, not far from some of Seoul’s main attractions, where events, shows and cultural activities are often organized. It is frequented by tourists but above all by locals: families, couples looking for a romantic place or employees of the surrounding offices on break time. The area has some small waterfalls, here and there have been placed rocks that emerge from the water to allow pedestrians to cross from one bank to the other, in the evening the path is pleasantly illuminated with lights and projections. The stream passes under 22 bridges before plunging into the waters of the Hangang river. Several fish and birds have started to inhabit and populate the green space, it has been estimated that Cheonggyecheon helps to decrease the temperature by about 3.5 degrees and the less cars entering the city thanks to the removal of the roads that passed here has favored a greater use of public transport by the citizens.
There are still several criticisms to the project, but considering how the inhabitants of Seoul are enjoying this green urban area I think it was worth removing all the cement and traffic that was there for so many years to bring back the Cheonggyecheon, a perfect place for a pleasant walk or a relaxing break along the banks of the stream, observing the harmonious flow of water between the city buildings, a real opportunity to let the capital of Korea breathe!
