Places to Pause: Cheonggyecheon Stream

I have a few favorite spots in Seoul that I like to go to whenever I need to rest my legs after all the walking and sightseeing. Cheonggyecheon Stream is one of them.

The stream runs for about 10 km through downtown Seoul and is popular with both locals and tourists. I particularly love coming here in the evening. It can get quite crowded on weekends, but on weekdays, it’s just really nice to sit there for a while and enjoy the surroundings. I love the lights, the tall buildings around the stream, and the sound of the water. It’s one of those places where I’m perfectly happy doing absolutely nothing.

If you’re around the lower section near Gwanggyo Bridge between 6 and 10 PM, you can also see underwater projections on the surface of the stream. It’s a nice little addition to the evening, especially when the weather is pleasant and you just want to sit and enjoy the city for a while.

I usually get there from either Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 5) or City Hall Station (Exit 4), and start around Cheonggye Plaza, where you can also see the Hechi and Soul Friends statues. There’s plenty to see within walking distance too, including Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace, so Cheonggyecheon is an easy place to stop and rest in between sightseeing.

Where’s your favorite place to slow down in Seoul?