Cheonggyecheon, Linear park and restored stream in Central Seoul, South Korea
Cheonggyecheon is a stream with footpaths and planted banks running through the business districts in central Seoul. The water flows down several stepped levels and is accompanied in some places by wide stone platforms where visitors can linger.
The city began restoration in the early 2000s by tearing down a multilane expressway that had run above the buried stream for decades. By 2005, the waterway was open again and accessible to the public.
The name combines words for clear and brook, describing the water that now runs through the city center. Pedestrians use the shaded paths along the banks as a shortcut and as a place to rest during lunch breaks.
Access is possible at many points along the route, and the paths are level and suitable for wheelchairs. In the evening the water is lit, so walks are possible after dark as well.
After reopening, fish species such as carp and bullhead returned that had previously disappeared from this part of the city. Birds like kingfishers and grey herons were also spotted along the banks again.
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