ww-in-sadang: Chun Gye Cheon Festival

Chun Gye Cheon is a little stream very dear to people in Seoul because for the longest time it was buried by a busy boulevard.

In the mass development phase of Korea, no care whatsoever was given to the environment. The development continues at a crazy pace. Entire cities are being planned, built and bought up overnight. But today, at least some consideration is being given to nature – very little, but some.

I heard that it was actually a concern for the core summer temperatures in the downtown – the intense heat - that made the city planners decide to demolish the street and expose the stream.

It’s become the “lovers’ lane” of Seoul. So it’s jammed with people every weekend. It’s no dump. The water runs from the mountain. It’s fresh and clear.

Every September they have a festival here now. It features buskers, artists of all shapes and sizes, drumming, dancing, traditional culture demos and of course, a massive pig roast.