Friday, November 22, 2013

Seoul and Busan Trip 2013 - Day 5 - Cheonggyecheon Stream

Until it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life. Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Read more from visit korea's website

You can reach the stream from City Hall Station Exit 4, and look out for this snail shell.

The snail shell is also known as "Spring". The sculpture was created by world-renouned artists Coosje Van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg. The idea for the exterior spiral was inspired from a shell rising upward like a pagoda. The vertical shape creates a dynamic atmosphere, representing the restored vitality of the stream and the cultural aspect of Seoul's urban development. Looking inside, two colorful ribbons, inspired from Korean traditional dress for women, stream loosely down, one a luminous blue, the other a peony red, representing the unity of opposites in nature an the human spirit. Spring is the monument of the nature regenerated in Seoul and the symbol of the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project.

That morning was so chilly and cold that one need winter jacket, that's what autumn is about. Very cold and chilly in the morning and night and afternoon can be hot especially when the sun is out, you need to remove your jacket.

Taking a slow and relaxing walk along the stream was really enjoyable for us.

Location of the stream (circled) from the tourist map.

Short video of Cheonggyecheon Stream

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