Hello everyone :) I wanted to tell you that this is the last blog post for EcoHeal. In a few weeks, I will be flying to University of California, Berkeley for my higher education. Realizing that it would not be possible to regularly update a blog dedicated to Seoul from the United States, I made the decision to conclude it with a rather "special" post themed around the waters of the city. You will find below pictures of Yangjaecheon, Cheonggyecheon and the Han River (Hangang) along with my reflections on natural and built environments of the water bodies. Those of you who have been following EcoHeal would know that Yangjaecheon has been a hugely important focus of my blog; I felt that updates on the stream would be a necessary element for this blog's finale. :) As for Cheonggyecheon and the Han River, I had the chance to visit both in recent months and wished to share what I felt with you. I truly appreciate your encouragement during the last two years, and I hope you enjoy the photos below. Thank you <3
A drive between Gangnam and Gangbuk captures this scene. Hangang is vast: as you can see from the map below, the river runs through the entire city. In fact, as the fourth longest in the country, it flows through Gangwon, Chungbuk and Gyeonggi regions as well.
What I love about the river is its series of twenty-seven bridges that span throughout within the city limits. I've heard some say that having such a river dividing Seoul into north (Gangbuk) and south (Gangnam) engenders conflicting disparities in the city. In my perhaps naive and inexperienced eyes, however, this landscape is an element that truly belongs. Seoul has gone through incredible changes during the past decades - from the deconstruction of city walls under the Japanese occupation to the development of foreign architects' futuristic designs of public spaces among traditional markets (read a previous post on the Dongdaemun Design Plaza here). As a natural landmark, Hangang has remained. It has been the foundation of cultural development from the Neolithic Age and the center of politics and economy ever since the capital city was set in the area. A unique architectural panorama of different bridges was a natural reaction to foster the communication and transportation between the two parts of Seoul. This view holds a special place inside me; it was during a drive at dawn along Hangang against the city skyline that I realized I had come to truly love my city.
Both Yangjaecheon and Cheonggyecheon are sub-tributaries of the Han River. The former leads from Tancheon and the latter form Jungnangcheon. Yangjaecheon and Cheonggyecheon are both regarded as successful environmental recoveries. As I explained in a post last year, the former was recovered to its current state through a restoration project. Whenever I stroll along the wild grasses by the stream, I am filled with utter gratitude. The ecological park of Yangjaecheon feels natural and free. Instead of manicured lawns and kitschy benches with a glossy veneer, we have chest-high porcupine grass and wooden fences with an age-worn familiarity.
Cheonggyecheon, on the other hand, usually gives very different vibes. Located in one of the busiest areas of Seoul, it is surrounded by commercial offices and rows of little shops. It is a busy destination popular with couples and tourists, but a late afternoon walk on a weekday can be very peaceful.
Just like Yangjaecheon, a significant part of flora and fauna returned to Cheonggyecheon after the recovery project and I couldn't be happier about this. Still, it bothers me that the restoration process was much too hurried; it was initiated in 2003 and opened to the public in 2005. Although indiscernible under an unknowing gaze, the water flow is not natural but pumped artificially from below the concrete base, requiring an incredible amount of energy. It remains that Cheonggyecheon has not been truly "recovered". I hope to be able to find a solution for this problem with the wisdom I will grow from studying engineering and environmental design at Berkeley.
Again, thank you for following EcoHeal during the last two years. I feel blessed to have been able to share with you some snapshots from my highschool years in Seoul. If I begin a new blog - perhaps about my new environment in Berkeley - I will make sure to leave a short post here to inform you. Love, Jaewon
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| Across Hangang. You can see the 63 Building with its sepia glow. |
A drive between Gangnam and Gangbuk captures this scene. Hangang is vast: as you can see from the map below, the river runs through the entire city. In fact, as the fourth longest in the country, it flows through Gangwon, Chungbuk and Gyeonggi regions as well.
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| The Han River flows from the mountains out to the Yellow Sea. As the fourth longest in the country it runs through the entire city. |
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| The on-going construction of Lotte World Tower - something I personally don't feel certain about (End of April '15) |
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| You can find yourself under the bridges when you head out from the Seoul Forest on your bicycle :) |
Both Yangjaecheon and Cheonggyecheon are sub-tributaries of the Han River. The former leads from Tancheon and the latter form Jungnangcheon. Yangjaecheon and Cheonggyecheon are both regarded as successful environmental recoveries. As I explained in a post last year, the former was recovered to its current state through a restoration project. Whenever I stroll along the wild grasses by the stream, I am filled with utter gratitude. The ecological park of Yangjaecheon feels natural and free. Instead of manicured lawns and kitschy benches with a glossy veneer, we have chest-high porcupine grass and wooden fences with an age-worn familiarity.
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| The familiar scene of Yangjaecheon |
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| The sky shimmered that day. |
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Cheonggyecheon, on the other hand, usually gives very different vibes. Located in one of the busiest areas of Seoul, it is surrounded by commercial offices and rows of little shops. It is a busy destination popular with couples and tourists, but a late afternoon walk on a weekday can be very peaceful.
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| Late afternoons on weekdays - my favorite time to visit Cheonggyecheon |
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| Leading to the Pyounghwa Market |
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Just like Yangjaecheon, a significant part of flora and fauna returned to Cheonggyecheon after the recovery project and I couldn't be happier about this. Still, it bothers me that the restoration process was much too hurried; it was initiated in 2003 and opened to the public in 2005. Although indiscernible under an unknowing gaze, the water flow is not natural but pumped artificially from below the concrete base, requiring an incredible amount of energy. It remains that Cheonggyecheon has not been truly "recovered". I hope to be able to find a solution for this problem with the wisdom I will grow from studying engineering and environmental design at Berkeley.
Again, thank you for following EcoHeal during the last two years. I feel blessed to have been able to share with you some snapshots from my highschool years in Seoul. If I begin a new blog - perhaps about my new environment in Berkeley - I will make sure to leave a short post here to inform you. Love, Jaewon
