Skipping Clouds: Visiting Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul 청계천 (淸溪川)

As I mentioned before, Cheonggyecheon Stream 청계천 (淸溪川) is my favorite place in Seoul. Nothing beats the out-of-place serenity amidst such a busy city.

Cheonggyecheon Stream map

Cheonggyecheon starts at Cheonggye Plaza 청계광장 (淸溪廣場), near the Seoul Finance Center, and extends past Dongdaemun Market 동대문 (東大門). It's also within 15 minutes walking distance from Insadong 인사동 (仁寺洞) and Myeongdong 명동 (明洞).

Cheonggye Plaza

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You'd never know it now, but before the renovation of the stream, you could smell Cheonggyecheon miles before you even reached it. Today, it is a haven for unwinding the day, relaxing, and de-stressing. Not to mention perfect make-out pockets for those too-much-PDA-please-get-a-room couples.

Cheonggyecheon Stream towards the plaza

You can walk down the steps to Cheonggyecheon from the upper level streets or cross the numerous bridges and be on your way.

Stairs down to Cheonggyecheon

Bridge at Cheonggyecheon

You can cross the stream and walk on whichever side you choose or even take a dip in the water if that's what fancies you.

Stones to cross the stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream

There are even tour guides dressed in hanboks who explain the artwork along the walls and beneath the bridges.

Tour guide wearing hanbok

Artwork on the walls

If you leisurely strolled from the start of the stream to the end, it would probably take 45 minutes to an hour. The most beautiful part of Cheongyecheon is at Cheonggye Plaze, but there are little gems like this dotted throughout the stream:

Waterfall at Cheonggyecheon Stream

Buy a sandwich, bring a bottle of water, drag a friend here, and just listen to the babbling water, smell the fresh air, and relax.

I did come back here at night another time and while the lights at Cheonggye Plaza were pretty, the rest of the stream was unexpectedly dark. It could use a few more lights to spruce up the place at night. I thought it looked better in the day, but you be the judge.