Korea, Seoul - Relaxing by the Cheonggye Stream

Despite being a large crowded metropolis, the city of Seoul (officially the capital of South Korea) do have nice quite places where one can visit to enjoy the pleasures of quiet solitude. This was what I did when I was in Seoul in September 2011.

Taking time off from shopping and dining in the busy Dongdaemun Market, I was pleasantly surprised to chance upon the Cheonggye Stream. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the nearby commercial districts, this stream was an oasis of peace and tranquility.

I spent almost 3 hours doing nothing by this stream but simply relaxing and stretching my tired limbs from the hectic shopping and dinning that had been going on for the past couple of days that I had been in Seoul. And the experience was really amazing. I simply sat by the stream and people watch, accompanied by the small fishes, birds and insects that had all came to make their homes in this little green space.

Despite the criticisms levied on the local authorities for the high cost of creating and maintaining this stretch of greenery, my personal views are that saving money is not always the best of arguments. I believe that there are times in life when money spent on increasing the quality of life is money well-spent.

Cute stone sculptures of owls at the exit of the subway station at Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

An insect taking a rest on my leg, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

A stretch of the Cheonggye Stream near Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Locals enjoying the peace and tranquility by the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

This stone-crossing allows movements from one side of the Cheonggye Stream to the other, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Locals using the stone-crossing, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Man-made features to help "beautify" the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

The clear waters that flow through the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Locals enjoying the peace and tranquility by the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Map showing the entrances and exits to the Cheonggye Stream and the areas immediately adjacent to both sides of the stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Water fowl in the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Fishes swimming in the clear waters of the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Locals enjoying the company of nature by the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

Cheonggye Stream - Home for these water fowl, Seoul, South Korea (2011)

The author at the Cheonggye Stream, Seoul, South Korea (2011)