Yangjaecheon is a stream that flows through the city ofSeoul, South Korea. It runs through Gangnam, which is part of the southern half of the city. Yangjaecheon is a greenway stretching five and a half kilometres from Gwanaksan in Gyeonggi into Seoul through Seocho District, Gangnam District, Songpa District until it runs into the Tancheon. The stream is recessed with major and minor roads crossing above it on bridges and multiple parallel bike and pedestrian trails flanking it on tiered ledges. Public exercise equipment is provided along the stream, as well as benches and a variety of flowers. 3.75km of the stream was appointed as Seoul Future heritage.
Course
The stream flows from Gyeonggi Province into Seoul through different districts. It is total 15.6km. The course is shown below. Gwacheon ; It supervises 8.4km of the total stream.
Seoul Tancheon
The Biosystem of Yangjaecheon
There are 174 species of plants, 42 species of birds, 20 species of fish, 6 species of mammals, 6 kinds of amphibians and reptiles in the Yangjaecheon flowing in the center of the city. Yangjae Stream revived the naturalness of the river by applying the natural method with the goal of restoring Yangjaecheon ecosystem. Yangjaecheon Ecological Park has restored the riverside slope to create a resting and walking space. Concrete revetments were removed and new revetments were constructed using megaliths, trees, grasses and natural materials. These vegetation revetments are safe for floods, and they control the water temperature by creating shade in the riverside. Yanghaecheon provide fish and algae habitats to help maintain the food chain of aquatic ecosystems. It also precipitates and absorbs water and pollutants, easing eutrophication of the material.
Tales Related to Yangjaecheon
Yangjaecheon has a tale related to Guryongsan. Guryongsan has nine valleys, nine peaks, and nine wells. The name of ‘Guryong’ is based on nine dragons. The highest peak of nine peaks of Guryong Mountain is called Guksoobong, which means ‘a mountain peak that protects the country.’ There is a story related to Guryongsan. According to the tale, the mountain originally had ten valleys, each dragon in one valley. They had to ascend to the sky, but one was late to ascend and was seen by a person, and couldn’t ascend. By the means of good conduct for people, he had to be a stream for people to drink and farm. The stream made people wealthier and happier, which was why this stream was later named ‘Yangjaecheon.’ 'Yangjae' is a word written in Chinese characters, which is translated as 'a group of talented people.'
Yangjaecheon’s Development
The Yangjaecheon was originally the first tributary of the Han River, which was originally flowed directly in the Han River. However, it was an artificially created river and watershed flow in Tancheon which made because of the development of Han River and its vicinity. In the 1970s, the land consolidation project in the Gaepo-dong area polluted Yangjaecheon by the intensification. After that, the pollution became much worse with the rapid increase of the population. In order to improve the ecological environment of Yangjaecheon, natural river system was applied for the first time in urban river. From 1995 to 2000, it was restored to water quality of more than 2 grade by removing concrete from both shore for and constructing vegetation shore, water purification facility, bicycle road and eco experience center. It was restored as a natural ecological river where people can live together. As a result of these efforts, it was selected by the Ministry of Environment in 2005 as an excellent ecological restoration river.
Geographical Location of Yangjaecheon
Yangjaecheon starts from Gwanaksan in Gwacheon. It flows through Gwacheon street and joins with Makgyecheon. In Seocho District, it joins with Yeouicheon. Makgyecheon and Yeouicheon is a small stream that starts from Cheonggyesan. Finally, it flows through Gangnam District and runs into Tancheon. The total length of Yangjaecheon is 15.6 km. Gwacheon manages 8.4 km, Seocho District manages 3.7 km, and Gangnam District manages 3.5 km. The average width of Yangjaecheon is 6~13 m.
Rice Farming Field: It is opened for urban students and citizens. While agricultural off-season, it is used as ice sled field.
Swimming pool: There are two swimming pools; one is located near Yeongdong bridge 3, and the other is located between Yeongdong bridge 4 and 5, near Dogok station.
Water purification facility: It is located between Yeongdong Bridge 2 and 3. It uses Gravel contact oxidation to maintain the BOD 1~3 ppm. It can purify 32,000 m3 per day.
