Cheonggyecheon Stream is a free walking path that runs along a stream through the middle of downtown Seoul. It is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The walk starts at Cheonggye Plaza (청계광장, 1 Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul / 서울 중구 태평로 1가 1), about 60 m from Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5. For the best night views, go in October or November, when the Digital Canvas light show above Gwanggyo (광교) runs every 30 minutes from 7:00 PM. One thing to check first: the path closes when rain is forecast or falling.
What Is Cheonggyecheon Stream?
Cheonggyecheon Stream opened on October 1, 2005. It now draws more than ten million residents and tourists every year and is one of Seoul’s best-known landmarks. Cheonggye Plaza hosts a range of cultural events, and you’ll see all kinds of plants and wildlife along the water as you walk.
The stream passes through several districts, so different sources list different addresses for it. This guide uses Cheonggye Plaza (1 Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul), where the walk begins, as its reference point.
Best Times and Spots for Cheonggyecheon Stream at Night
The path stays open after dark, but each attraction along the stream runs on its own schedule. Use the table below to plan when to go.
| Attraction | Location & Details | Season | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Canvas | Above Gwanggyo; an 8-minute light show with lasers and mist fountains | October–November (off December–February) | 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00 |
| Cheonggye Waterfall | Cheonggyecheon Stream | January 1–December 31 | Runs 24 hours |
| Starting-point fountain | Where the stream begins | April 1–November 15 | 12:00–21:00 (runs 50 minutes, then pauses 10 minutes each hour) |
| Dumul Bridge Heart Fountain | Dumul Bridge (두물다리) | April 1–November 30 | 12:00–21:00 (runs 50 minutes, then pauses 10 minutes each hour) |
| Samgak-dong Water Screen | Samgak-dong (삼각동) | April 1–October 31 | Runs 24 hours |
The Digital Canvas runs until November 30 this year and then stays off from December through February. The other seasonal attractions end on different dates: the Samgak-dong Water Screen on October 31, the starting-point fountain on November 15, and the Dumul Bridge Heart Fountain on November 30. To see the fountains and the light show in one trip, go before mid-November.
In December, the 2026 Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) is expected to take place around Cheonggyecheon Stream. Seoul’s festival portal only lists it as “(planned) December,” and exact dates haven’t been announced. Check the official website (https://www.stolantern.com) or call the Dasan Call Center (다산콜센터) at 02-120 for updates.
Cheonggyecheon Stream Hours and Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | 24 hours, open every day of the year |
| Closures | When rain is forecast or falling |
| Admission | Free |
| Type | Park/plaza |
| Contact | Cheonggyecheon Control Center (청계천 종합상황실), 02-2290-7111~3 |
| Website | https://www.sisul.or.kr/open_content/cheonggye/ |
You don’t need a ticket or a reservation. Come whenever you like and walk as much or as little of the stream as you want.
How to Get to Cheonggyecheon Stream: Subway, Bus, and Parking
Cheonggye Plaza is between Gwanghwamun Station and City Hall Station, so it’s easy to reach by public transportation.
| Transport | Get Off At | Distance to Cheonggye Plaza |
|---|---|---|
| Subway Line 5 | Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 5 | About 60 m |
| Subway Lines 1 & 2 | City Hall Station, Exit 4 | About 300 m |
| Bus | City Hall/Seoul Shinmun stop (시청.서울신문사, stop IDs 02137 and 02706) | Walk from the stop |
These buses stop at City Hall/Seoul Shinmun:
| Bus Type | Routes |
|---|---|
| Trunk (간선) | 101, 150, 501, 506, 708 |
| Branch (지선) | 1711, 7016 |
| Circular (순환) | 01A |
Since June 28, 2025, the base subway fare in the Seoul metropolitan area has been:
| Payment Method | Base Fare |
|---|---|
| Transit card | 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD) |
| Single-journey ticket (cash) | 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) |
Cheonggye Plaza doesn’t have its own parking lot. Take public transportation or use a parking lot nearby.
Before You Go
- The Digital Garden is closed: The Digital Garden below Gwanggyo is temporarily closed because its equipment has worn out. No closure start date or reopening date has been announced. Everything else is running as usual.
- Rain closures: The path closes when rain is forecast or falling. This year it was closed under weather safety alerts and then reopened on September 25, October 12, October 13–16, and October 18. The latest notice, on October 18, announced the reopening.
- No light show in winter: The Digital Canvas doesn’t run from December through February.
Tips for Walking Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Plan around the Digital Canvas: Each light show lasts 8 minutes and starts every 30 minutes from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Be at the spot above Gwanggyo on the hour or the half hour.
- See the fountains before 9:00 PM: The starting-point fountain and the Dumul Bridge Heart Fountain shut off at 21:00. They also pause for 10 minutes every hour, so leave yourself some extra time.
- Check the weather: The path may close if rain is in the forecast. Check before you leave, and call the Cheonggyecheon Control Center (02-2290-7111~3) with any questions.
- Take public transportation: Cheonggye Plaza has no parking lot of its own. Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station is the closest way in.
- Watch for the year-end festival: If you’re visiting in December, check whether the Seoul Lantern Festival dates have been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an admission fee for Cheonggyecheon Stream?
No, admission is free. Anyone can use the Cheonggyecheon Stream walking path and Cheonggye Plaza at no cost.
How late can I walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream?
You can walk there at any hour, day or night. It’s open year-round and closes only when rain is forecast or falling.
What is the nearest subway station to Cheonggyecheon Stream?
The nearest is Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5. Cheonggye Plaza is about 60 m from Exit 5. From Exit 4 of City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2, it’s about 300 m.
Can I visit Cheonggyecheon Stream on a rainy day?
No, the walking path closes when rain is forecast or falling. It closed under weather safety alerts several times in September and October this year before reopening, so check the weather before you go.
When can I see the Cheonggyecheon Stream Digital Canvas?
You can see it every day in October and November at 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, and 21:00. The 8-minute show uses lasers and mist fountains and takes place above Gwanggyo. It doesn’t run from December through February.
When is the 2026 Seoul Lantern Festival?
It’s expected to take place around Cheonggyecheon Stream in December. Exact dates haven’t been announced yet. Check the official website (https://www.stolantern.com) or call 02-120.
Can I see the Cheonggyecheon Stream Digital Garden?
Not right now. It’s temporarily closed because its equipment has worn out, and no reopening date has been announced.
Can I drive to Cheonggyecheon Stream?
You can, but Cheonggye Plaza has no parking lot of its own. Use public transportation or a parking lot nearby.
