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| Surrounding Cheonggyecheon, flowing through the central part of Seoul, are a variety of fun activities and delicious eateries open to the public. Museums, a palace, and outdoor cafes and restaurants surround the starting point of Cheonggyecheon. The Korea Tourism Organization Tourist Information Center, Hallyu Hall, Dongdaemun Market, and more decorate the surrounding areas of Cheonggyecheon, offering an even more enjoyable time. You can walk around Seoul’s central area, and also go on a tour led by a cultural heritage commentator. Let’s take a tour of Cheonggyecheon. |
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8 Must-See Tour Course at Cheonggyecheon |
[Cheonggyecheon Walking Tour Course 1 ‘Cheonggyecheon Plaza – Ogansu Bridge’]
 The Beginning of Cheonggyecheon ‘Cheonggyecheon Plaza’
The starting point of Cheonggyecheon is protected by Donga Ilbo Building and Seoul Finance Center. The stream flows all the way to the Han River from this point. The ground surface of Cheonggyecheon Plaza is designed like the traditional wrapping cloth, and each piece is shaped differently. A mini Cheonggyecheon flows through the plaza, and the bridge locations are lighted at nighttime. |
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 The Josun Dynasty Stone Bridge ‘Gwangtong Bridge’
A masterpiece of Josun Dynasty, the Gwangtong Bridge was build during King Taejong’s reign. It was originally located at Gwanggyo, but has been relocated about 150 meters upstream. Gwangtong Bridge was buried under the road going from Jongno to Namdaemun in 1910, and has finally been revealed to the world in 95 years. The bridge still stands firm and strong after so many years. |
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 World’s Largest Ceramic Wall Painting ‘Banchado(班次圖)’
Banchado decorates the wall between Gwanggyo and Samilgyo, and is a reproduction of a painting of Joseon’s King Jungjo visit to Suwon Hwasung drawn by the famous Joseon artist Kim Hong Do. It is made up of 5,120 ceramic tiles 30 meters in length and height, and is the largest of its kind in the world. The total length of this ceramic wall painting is 192 meters, and it depicts 1,700 characters and 800 horses. |
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 Decorated by 5 Contemporary Artists ‘The Wall of Culture’
Five contemporary artists’ works dealing with the subject of nature and environment hang along the wall upstream near Ogansu Gate. The five contemporary artists as professors at renowned universities, and have produced art works of 10 meters in length and 2.5 meters in height. By the foot of the Wall of Culture is a fountain that shoots up to 10 meters into the air. Across from this wall a stage has been installed to allow performances to be held to make the visit of Cheonggyecheon more enjoyable for visitors. |
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| [Cheonggyecheon Walking Tour Course 2 ‘Ogansu Bridge – Cheonggye Culture Center’] |
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 ‘Laundry Area and the Wish Wall’ for People’s Hopes and Dreams
In the past, people use to play in the waters and wash their laundry at Cheonggyecheon. The Laundry Area newly reconstructed with marbles is a token to the old times. The Wish Wall has been made with the participation of 20,000 people, and is located between Hwanghakgyo and Ogansugyo. The wall is made up of ceramic tiles of 10 centimeters in height and width, with each tile decorated by each 20,000 individual participant. The total size of the wall is 50 meters long and 2.2 meters high. |
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 ‘Rhythm Wall Stream’ Decorated with Images of Fish and Water
The Rhythm Wall Stream is located between Hwanghakgyo and Beewoodanggyo, and is 5 meters tall, with the width made of 20 tons of marble. Along this wall, an average of 4700 tons of water flows daily. The black marble fish images fixed onto the wall surface shows an image of fishes swimming upstream. At nightfall, the 88 lights in four colors shine its lights onto the Rhythm Wall Stream. The lights shine so in a way that it seems the water is flowing to a rhythm. |
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 The Meeting of the Past and Present ‘Jonchi Pier and Beodul Swamp’
In front of the Muhakgyo, in the middle of the stream stands Jonchi Pier, the pier that once supported Cheonggye Overpass. It has been left standing when Seoul City cleared the overpass three years ago to reminder of a part of Cheonggyecheon’s history. Beodul Swamp’s habitations include various fishes, amphibians, and birds. Water plants like the pussy willows, bulrushes, and irises also grow here. There are ten such swamps between Hwanghakggyo and Sindapchulgyo. |
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[Custom Designed Cheonggyeheon Guide]
A Journal of the History and Culture of Cheonggyecheon |
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Nearby Cheonggyecheon, the Presseum and Chohung Museum of Finance offer a fun and educational experience to share with the children. Also located nearby are the Ilmin Museum managed by Donga Ilbo, the Seoul Museum of Art, and Korea’s largest bookstore Kyobo Books. The Dongdaemun Flea Market, run by merchants originally from Hwanghakdong, offers a unique experience of its own. Also, surrounding Dongdaemun area are a variety of food vendors and restaurants offering snacks, Korean food, Chinese food, and more, to satisfy the taste buds of all visitors. If you are visiting Cheonggyecheon with your children, don’t forget to stop by the Cheonggye Culture Center where you can learn about Cheonggyecheon’s past, present, and future. |
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A Journal of Romantic Concerts and Outdoor Cafes
Cheonggyecheon has twenty-two bridges, and each bridge has its own unique design and meaning. Starting at each bridge, a variety of culture experiences are offered to the visitors. The Korea Tourism Organization, located by Gwangtongggyo Bridge, offers a free internet service at its Tourist Information Center, and free travel information on Korea. Furthermore, an outdoor café is located in front of the building, offering drinks and a great view of Cheonggyecheon. An ideal wrap up for the day would be a concert at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, or a movie at one of the many movie theaters surrounding the area. |
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A Journal of the Night Owls Nighttime Activities
Cheonggyecheon offers an experience of its own when darkness falls, with its many colors. The most brilliant show of lights can be seen at Cheonggyecheon Plaza Fountain, the Ogansugyo River Fountain, and the Rhythm Wall Stream near Hwanghakgyo. You can also enjoy shopping at Dongdaemun Shopping Town, which is even more alive at nighttime. |
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| [Tip] For a More Convenient Cheonggyecheon Tour |
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1. Cheonggyecheon Walking Tour
There are two walking tours of Cheonggyecheon, and a cultural heritage commentator leads a tour 3 times a day, and it takes about two to three hours. To join the walking tour, you need to make phone reservations at least three days in advance.
Course 1: Cheonggyecheon Plaza – Ogansugyo 2.7km, 3 hours
Cheonggyecheon Plaza→Gwangtongggyo (Restoration of the Original Bridge)→Samilgyo→Supogyo→Bridge of Dawn→Ogansugyo
Course 2: Gosanjagyo – Ogansugyo 2.6km, 3 hours
Gosanjagyo→Cheonggye Culture Center→Domol Bridge→Malgeunnae Bridge→Ogansugyo
Contact: Seoul City Department of Tourism +82-2-3707-9453~4 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese / Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM)
Gwanghwamun Tour Information Center +82-2-735-8688 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese / Weekends, Holidays 9AM-10PM)
2. Cheonggyecheon Bus Tour
Bus Number: #01
Service Hours: 100 minutes (06:30AM-24:00PM)
Service Allocation: Every 20-25 minutes / Service Frequency: Weekdays 9-10 times, Weekends 11-12 times
Fare: 550 Won (cash only)
Course: Cheonggye Culture Center→Cheonggye 8-2 Street→Jongno 2 ga→Jonggak Station→Donga Ilbo Building→Gwanggyo→ Cheonggye 8-2 ga→Cheonggye Culture Center |
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