(Illustration by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

Cheonggyecheon Stream is a beautiful stream running through downtown Seoul, but it didn’t always look this way. The stream became so polluted during rapid industrialization that by the late 1960s it was covered with concrete and an elevated highway. In 2003, the city launched a massive restoration project, turning the stream into a public space with walking paths, art, and eco-friendly design. Today, Cheonggyecheon is an urban oasis where both people and wildlife can escape the busy city.

Sanchaek (Stroll) (Image by Stripes Korea)