Cheonggyecheon

The place in a few words

It's hard to imagine a stream hidden among Seoul's skyscrapers and busy avenues! Yet Cheonggyecheon winds through the capital for almost 11 kilometres, just below street level. Once covered by an elevated highway, it was restored in 2005 and turned into a pedestrian walkway. Today, locals come here to meet friends, enjoy a snack or escape the city's bustle for a while.

What we loved

Seoul never seems to slow down. We love that energy, but sometimes it's nice to take a break! Cheonggyecheon quickly became one of our favourite places to do just that. We came back several times with no particular plan, simply sitting on the stones, dipping our feet in the water and watching people pass by. We especially loved the late-afternoon atmosphere, when locals gathered to enjoy the last rays of sunshine. Such a simple moment, yet so refreshing!

Our tip

Save this walk for the end of the day, after exploring Seoul's busy streets. We especially recommend the upper section near Cheonggye Plaza, where the banks have more places to sit comfortably beside the water. That's where we liked to settle down. If you have time, stay until after sunset to see the city lights reflected in the stream.