(서울 한복판, 빌딩과 시냇물을 한 컷에

Cheonggyecheon flows through the heart of Seoul, framed by modern skyscrapers)

(산책하기 좋은 11km 청계천

*Cheonggyecheon stretches 11km—a peaceful path for a relaxing walk.*)

Cheonggyecheon: Where Seoul’s Dark Past Meets a Bright Present

— A Clear Stream in the Heart of the City

Cheonggyecheon is a stream that flows right through the heart of Seoul.
In June 2025, I revisited this place, and I’m delighted to share it with my international friends.
“If you come to Seoul, make sure to stop by Cheonggyecheon.”
There are also many great local restaurants nearby!

Cheonggyecheon is more than just a walking path.
It’s a rare place where the past and present, nature and urban life, beautifully coexist.

(한여름 밤의 청계천 야경

*Cheonggyecheon at night in midsummer—magical and breathtaking.*)

What Does "Cheonggyecheon" Mean?

The name Cheonggye (淸溪) literally means “clear stream.”
True to its name, Cheonggyecheon today flows with crystal-clear water.
You can spot small fish swimming underfoot, and even see herons walking quietly along the stones.

It’s hard to believe that such harmony between nature and the city exists in the very center of Seoul. 

(돌다리를 건너는 재미도 있어요

*Stepping stones let you cross the stream—fun and photo-worthy!*)

A Brief History of Cheonggyecheon

Although peaceful today, Cheonggyecheon was once home to one of Seoul’s poorest neighborhoods.
Families who had migrated from rural areas built makeshift houses along the stream.

(1950년대 청계천, 한국전쟁 무렵

*A glimpse of Cheonggyecheon during the Korean War in the 1950s.*)

(판자촌 시절, 열악한 주거환경
*Families lived in poor shacks along the stream—but still raised children and built lives. One child even became a presidential candidate!*)

In the 1970s, during South Korea’s rapid industrialization, the stream was covered over and turned into an elevated highway.
I myself drove over that highway countless times.

(복개도로 위로 차량이 오가던 시절

*The stream was once covered by a highway to hide pollution and manage traffic.*)

That era gave Cheonggyecheon a gloomy atmosphere.

(1990년대, 위는 고가도로, 아래는 청계천

*Until the 1990s, Cheonggyecheon flowed under an elevated expressway.*)

In fact, director Bong Joon-ho’s movie The Host imagined a monster being born beneath the old highway — a fitting symbol of the place’s dark and eerie past.

(영화 ‘괴물’ 속 괴물이 등장한 복개천

*In the film *The Host*, a monster lives beneath the old overpass—echoing the space’s eerie past.*)

But in the early 2000s, everything changed.
The city launched a massive restoration project that transformed this area into a vibrant, eco-friendly urban space.

Highway demolished → stream restored → nature and culture revived.
I’ll share step-by-step photos showing this transformation.

(복개도로 철거 중

*Demolition of the concrete cover began in the early 2000s.*)

( 하늘이 다시 열린 청계천

*Once the overpass was gone, sunlight returned and so did life.*)

(다시 흐르기 시작한 냇물

*Step by step, the streambed was restored to its natural state.*)

I’ve read that other cities are now showing great interest in river restoration.
Mexico City, for instance, has reportedly taken inspiration from Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon in planning its own urban stream project.
If you're from a big city struggling with waterway pollution, I hope Cheonggyecheon offers some ideas.

Cheonggyecheon in June 2025

As I walked along Cheonggyecheon yesterday, I was met with beautiful scenes:

• Sparkling water under the warm June sun

  
  (왜가리의 사냥 장면
• *A heron catches and swallows a fish—a rare and fascinating sight.*)

• Fish swimming peacefully near my feet

  
  (잉어처럼 큰 물고기도 있어요
• *Large fish like carp swim gently in the clear water.*)

• A heron walking over the stones—and I even saw it catch and swallow a fish!

  
  (여기저기 보이는 왜가리들
• *Herons are common here—you’ll see them throughout the stream.*)

• Families and foreign visitors sitting on benches, reading books

  
  (맨발로 책을 읽는 시민들
• *People dip their feet in the water while reading—it’s so popular, seats are hard to find!*)

• Especially at the “Clear Stream Reading Spot”, people dipped their feet in the stream and read books provided freely for anyone to enjoy

  
  (‘책 읽는 맑은 냇가’, 누구나 책을 읽을 수 있어요
• *At the “Clear Stream Reading Spot,” free books—including English ones—are available for anyone.*)

• 
  
  

I’ve captured all these moments in photos, so please enjoy them as well.
Cheonggyecheon isn’t just a walking path—it’s a sanctuary of nature right in the middle of the city.

A Prime Location Connected to Seoul’s Top Attractions

Cheonggyecheon is a must-see destination on its own, but also connects easily to other popular spots:

• Just a 5-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Square

• Very close to Myeongdong Shopping District

• Linked directly to Gwangjang Market, a famous traditional market

Even if your trip to Seoul is short, I highly recommend including Cheonggyecheon in your itinerary.
Whether you go in the morning, afternoon, or evening, each time of day offers its own charm.

(또 다른 왜가리의 사냥 순간

*Another heron on the hunt. At first, they’re fascinating—then they become part of the scene.*)

(하류 쪽의 한적한 청계천 풍경

*Further downstream, the stream offers a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.*)

In Closing…

In the midst of this bustling capital city,
Cheonggyecheon is a place where you can walk by the sound of water, read a book, and feel life itself.

If you ever visit Seoul, don’t miss this beautiful place.
Let’s share the inspiration through these photos and stories.

(청계천 옆 골목 맛집 거리

*Explore the alleys around Cheonggyecheon—great food for just $10 (₩14,000) per meal.*)

(도심에서 저녁 식사 후 즐기는 야경 산책
*After dinner in central Seoul, enjoy a night walk along Cheonggyecheon like this.*)

📺 Experience Cheonggyecheon in motion!
👉 This video captures both the present beauty and hidden history of the stream.

🎬 영상 보러가기 / Watch the video: