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The Cheonggyecheon river runs through downtown Seoul, forming a delightful urban addition to the city. Opened in 2005, this manmade intervention functions as an 'inverted
High-Line', of sorts, forming a benign, tall, glass and steel veneered, chasm between the more exclusive north-side district of offices and shops, from the more domestically scaled cluster of commercial entities on its south-side...
The river is clearly artificial, starting from choreographed waterfall at it's eastern, city, end - flowing, babbling and gurgling, at various speeds, patterns, and exuberance down west towards the Han river, apparently about ten kilometers down the line (I never had a chance to walk that far)...
Whilst its beginning is quite 'architectural' - made up of large blocks of granite, slate, and concrete, it's outlines begin gradually to blur, fade, and restyle themselves into something a bit greener and less controlled, more casual, as one proceeds downstream...
Overall the
Cheonggyecheon River is a truly admirable and courageous urban intervention that other cities, each in their own way (its spirit and collegial intentions), should aim to emulate...
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Overlooking the start of the Cheonggyecheon River... |
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Looking back, towards the waterfall from which the river commences... |
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People relaxing by one of the numerous bridges crossing the river... |
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The river is flanked by tall buildings on both sides, amplifying the below-ground-level-feel of the river even further... |
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It's become a populated route an unwinding spot... |
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The further down one advances, the greener the river's peripheries become... |
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The river from a higher viewpoint... |
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The river at sunset... |
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