Cheonggyecheon Stream

A restored stream cutting through downtown Seoul.

Why go

Cheonggyecheon is a restored stream that runs through the heart of Seoul, sunk below street level as a long walking park.

Once buried under a highway, it is now a cool, green escape with stepping stones, fountains and seasonal light displays.

The roughly 11 km stream was buried under an elevated highway in the 1970s, then uncovered and restored in 2005 as a public waterway — a landmark of Seoul's urban renewal. It runs from Cheonggye Plaza past a series of bridges toward the Han River.

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Good to know

• It is a refreshing walk on a hot day — the water keeps it cooler.
• Evenings bring lantern and light installations, especially in winter.
• Start near Gwanghwamun / Cheonggye Plaza and follow it east.
• Steps lead down from street level every block or so; a winter lantern festival and seasonal displays light it up (check the dates), and the water makes it a cool shortcut on a hot day.

Nearby

Official info

Travel facts are checked against official sources with a verification date. Prices, schedules and visa rules change — always confirm at the linked official source before you travel.