Cheonggye Stream | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Starting from the southern feet of Inwang-san and Baegak-san and the northern foot of Nan-san and crossing downtown Seoul, Cheonggye Stream is a natural and artificial stream 10.92 km. in length. It divides Seoul not only geographically, but has also has played a symbolic role as the boundary in politics, society, and culture. During the Joseon Dynasty, noble people and government offices lived in the northern village, while common people and poor noble people lived in the southern village, divided by Cheonggye Stream. The major roads in the city areas like Jongno and Euljiro were also designed according to Cheonggye Stream.
Flowing through the capital, Cheonggye Stream served many important functions. However, flooding and sanitation caused major problems. During the rainy seasons, many houses became flooded, and sanitation problems led to contagious diseases that affected the city. The sewer of Cheonggye Stream often flowed backwards into overpopulated areas and the Cheonggye Stream area had the mortality rate in Seoul population. During the period of Daehan Jeguk, a solution was devised to cover Cheonggye Stream. In 1895, the government ordered the dismantling of Jongno road and use it for streetcars. Between 1958 and 1961, Cheonggye Stream was completely covered. Since that time, many stores have opened along the covered road and the volume of traffic has increased drastically.
In 2005, 47 years after being covered with concrete, Cheonggye Stream was restored to its old state of water freely flowing. Restoring Cheonggye Stream helped recover 600 years of Seoul's history and culture and is helping Seoul be reborn as an ecologically friendly city. See historical pictures of Cheonggye Stream. 
Cheonggye Square: Cheonggye Square is the starting point of Cheonggye Stream and consists of a square and waterside space. The square has traditional Korean beauty with a unique design and various colors. Also, the waterfall in the waterside space creates Cheonggye Stream's water by dropping 65,000 tons of water each day.
Gwangtong Bridge: As the largest bridge over Cheonggye Stream, it was originally called Daegwangtonggyo, but later shortened to Gwanggyo. Sophisticated sculptures using stones used for queen's grave remain. On the post of the bridge, record of repair history have been engraved, giving it a high academic and artistic value. 
Jeongjo Banchado: This mural depicts the visit by Jeongjo (King during the Joseon Dynasty) to his father Sado Seja's grave in Hwaseong (currently Suwon). For the famous visit, Jeongjo was guarded by 1779 attendants and 779 horses. The striking mural is famous for its size, which is 2.4 meters width and 192 meters long.
Cheonggye Stream Wash Area: In the olden days, this area was where females washed the cloths and children played in the stream between Dasangyo and Yeongdogyo.
Rideumbyeok Stream: The water running from the top of the wall and various colored lights at night are well balanced in this water facility.
Wall of Hope: This monument contains the signatures of 20,000 citizens who wrote and drew their hopes and desires between Hwanghakgyo and Biudanggyo. The monument is 2.2 meters in height and 50 meters in length.
Tunnel Fountain: The water spouting from the fountain creates a colorful tunnel with lighting.
Jonchigyogak: The remaining 3 bridge posts of the old Cheonggye overpass roads help pass down the meaning of the Cheonggye Stream restoration to the next generation.
Admission: Free Directions:
For more pictures, please see page 2. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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