A guide by VANYA
It is a newly "restored" stream slap bang in the middle of this huge city. The stream was a lifeline for many Seoulites from the 14th-century but was covered over with tarmac during the 50s to provide land to build shops, high-rise buildings and a flyover during the frenetic days of the double-digit economic development that engulfed the nation up to the 90s.
As the paradigm for economic development has shifted from brute expansion to a more human-oriented, environmentally responsible growth over the last few years, the city is developing more places where weary Seoulites can find peace, tranquility and nature in the forms of parks, forests (yes forests), walkways, squares and now a stream!
The tarmac over Cheong-gye-cheon is gone now and the stream is open for all to see. The "opening" day attracted a million people, which doesn't quite jive with tranquility, peace and nature, but it shows how interested Seoulites are of their latest addition to the city attractions. There have been sightings of fish, birds and other creatures missing from central Seoul for decades and an urban legend is being created amid reports that cranes were seen a few days ago.
Many bridges (some modelled on those that used to exist centuries ago) span the stream and a newly created path accommodates joggers, amblers and courting couples and in the week or so that it's been open, it has become a must-see and be-seen destination for any self-respecting Seoulite. There is a museum showing the long history associated with the stream and many people expect the surrounding district to attract new businesses catering to Seoulites from all walks of life. It is the place to see and be seen in this trend-conscious city.
Though this area near to the US army base has been called a special tourist zone and is praised for it's international shops, it's really the place where sellers try and hawk tacky Korean gifts and American clothes to the (mostly) American tourists. There are many other markets which are more representative of Seoul and are pretty much only frequented by locals.
South Korea is one of the world's most wired countries, and Seoul is the most wired city in Korea. In order to stay in touch with folks at home or anywhere in the world for that matter, or to do whatever you want on the web, find a PC Room (or PC Bahng) in almost any neighbourhood in Seoul. It's cheap (75p an hour or less), reliable and extremely fast, catering to those ever busy Seoulites. If you find yourself spending a long time there playing web based games or whatever, you can even order lunch or dinner (or beer) and have the food delivered to your terminal
Search Been there
