Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream, Make My Wish Come True!

Never thought that I’ll be able to travel to Seoul again within the same year (in 2011). Let me tell you a little story about me and the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul.

Cheonggyecheon Stream is the most popular leisure spot in the heart of Seoul, an 5.8km long modern stream with 22 bridges and nine fountains. The stream was restored during the Stream Restoration Project in year 2003 to 2005. There are many attractive things to discover along this fascinating stream, a peaceful place to enjoy a slow walk after a meal or even you can have a picnic here with your beloved family, friends, and also a nice place for couples to go on a date. Also, there are some scenic spots neighboring around the both sides of the stream, such as Deoksugung Palace, Sejong Center, Dongdaemun, Gwangjang Market, Seoul Folk Flea Market, Pyounghwa Market, Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul Tourism Info Center, Cheonggyecheon Museum, etc. And after a short walk, you may reach: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Gate, and Insa-dong street.

If you don’t have much time to take a stroll along the stream, I may suggest you to visit the starting point of the stream at Cheonggye Plaza. The landmark of the Cheonggye Plaza are “The Spring” designed by Class Oldenburg, a Swedish American sculptor. Stepping down to the stream there are candlelight fountains illuminated by differently colored lights, and the four meter high waterfall, when the night comes out you can see how beautiful it is. And the water begins to flow through here towards to Hangang River. The biggest bridge over the stream called Gwangtonggyo was built during the Joseon Dynasty, but was restored and relocated during the restoration project.

Standing at Gwangtonggyo bridge and I took this picture.

There is a pond called Palseokdam, made of stones collected from eight provinces in Korea. At the Palseokdam Pond, you can find a wishing well over there. You can try your luck tossing a coin and making a wish (quite challenging to tossing a coin into the wishing well actually), I found this wishing well quite unique, so I wanted to try my luck! I was using my left hand to toss the coin out and it dropped into the right place and I quickly made a wish! Meanwhile, the scene made me think about my first trip to Seoul, I was exactly doing the same thing and wishing for the same wish during my first visit back in July! Does that mean my wish is came true? Can’t believe such a miraculous things can happen to me!

Hereby, I wanted to say “thank you” again to Lomography and the Seoul Metropolitan Government for giving me such a great opportunity to visit Seoul again! I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and hope my second wish will come true soon!

For more information about the stream, you can refer to the websites below:
Cheonggyecheon Homepage
Visit Seoul website

written by chingbibi on 2012-06-07 #places #seoul #winter #location #wishing-well #local-flavor #cheonggyecheon #select-type-of-location #seoul_-metropolitan_-government Share Article