Park & nature
Cheonggyecheon
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Cheonggyecheon is a 10.9-kilometre-long stream and public space in downtown Seoul. It was restored in 2005 after being covered by an elevated freeway for decades. Today it is a popular linear park where you can walk alongside clean water, see restored historic bridges, and experience a cooler microclimate than the surrounding city.
Don't miss
- Walk along the 10.9 km stream from west to east through downtown Seoul
- See the restored historic bridges Gwangtonggyo and Supyogyo
- Notice the temperature drop: along the stream it is 3.3° to 5.9 °C cooler than on nearby roads
- Look for the increased biodiversity,plant species grew from 62 to 308 after restoration
- Observe the urban renewal success: land prices within 50 meters rose 30–50%
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Cheonggyecheon
You don't need a tour to visit, entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Cheonggyecheon with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inGyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul4.1★ · 92 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →
Best full dayBest DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Suspension Bridge & JSA Museum)4.9★ · 47,835 travelers7-9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$50 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleSeoul Private Local Tour: Gyeongbokgung, Seochon & Market Tour5★ · 10 travelers5-6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$68 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The stream is open to the public and free to walk along.
- The restoration project led to a 4.3% daily increase in subway use (430,000 people) and a 1.4% increase in bus use.
- Temperatures along the stream are 3.3° to 5.9 °C cooler than on parallel roads 4–7 blocks away.
A bit of history
The stream was originally a natural waterway that served as part of Seoul's early sewerage. During the Joseon period, it was dredged and reinforced every 2–3 years starting in 1406 under King Taejong. After the Korean War, the area became a slum, and the stream was covered with concrete from 1958 onward. An elevated highway was completed in 1976.
Common questions
How long is Cheonggyecheon?
It is 10.9 kilometres (6.8 miles) long, flowing west to east through downtown Seoul before meeting Jungnangcheon, which connects to the Han River.
When was the stream restored?
The restoration project began in July 2003 and the stream opened to the public in September 2005.
Is the water natural?
The stream is partly fed by pumped water: 120,000 tons of water are pumped in daily from the Han River, its tributaries, and groundwater from subway stations.
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