Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon was paved over and topped with an elevated highway for decades, then restored as an open stream between 2003 and 2005. Today a walkway runs below street level for about 5.8 km through the old downtown, crossed by 22 bridges and lined with stepping stones, willows and low waterfalls, a few degrees cooler than the traffic above. The usual starting point is Cheonggye Plaza, with its spiral sculpture and a two-tier waterfall that runs 24 hours. From there you can walk east past Gwangtonggyo, a restored Joseon-era stone bridge, and the long ceramic Wall of Hope, then on toward Gwangjang Market and DDP, which both sit a short climb from the stream. After dark the water and bridges are lit, and it is one of the easiest free night walks in the city. Each winter the Seoul Lantern Festival lines the stretch from Cheonggye Plaza to Samilgyo Bridge with hanji paper lanterns and media art; the 2026 edition runs 11 December 2026 to 31 January 2027, daily 18:00–23:00, free.