[One Day Walk] Enjoy the Riverside Scenery in the City... Yangjaecheon and Tancheon

The path introduced today is one where you can enjoy various riverside sceneries within the heart of Seoul. Yangjaecheon, which originates in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, flows through the Gangnam and Seocho areas before joining Tancheon, and following Tancheon all the way to the Han River allows you to feel a sense of relaxation even in the city center. Thanks to the efforts of local governments, walking trails along the riversides are well established, letting you experience the refreshing summer atmosphere of the city.

The starting point is Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station on the Shinbundang Line. However, there is actually no Yangjae Citizen's Forest here. Seoul City renamed it to "Maehun Citizen's Forest" after the pen name of Yun Bong-gil, as the city took note that the Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall is located within the forest to honor the independence activist. Within the 259,000㎡ area, there is a dense collection of 250,000 trees of 70 species including pine, zelkova, maple, sweetgum, and Korean pine. There are also various sports facilities such as a lawn plaza, volleyball court, badminton court, and tennis court.

Yangjaecheon, named because it crosses through Yangjae-dong, runs right through the middle of apartment complexes in the Gangnam area as its name suggests. Between the tall apartment buildings, you can enjoy the forest and waterside spaces. The neighborhood parks along the path provide information about local legends, and stages set up in various spots often host cultural events organized by local governments.

If you walk 3 km from the point where Tancheon and Yangjaecheon meet, you can reach the Han River. Tancheon is called "Sutnae" in pure Korean. The name is said to originate from a clever trick by the Grim Reaper trying to catch Dongbangsak, who is said to have lived for 180,000 years (three thousand gapja). According to the legend, the Grim Reaper tried to wash charcoal white in the stream, and Dongbangsak, upon seeing this, said, "I have lived for three thousand gapja, but this is the first time I have seen such a foolish person," and immediately caught the Grim Reaper. Tancheon boasts beautiful natural scenery, designated as an ecological landscape conservation area. There is also an observatory where you can enjoy the colorful changes of the seasons moment by moment.