Cheong Gye Cheon Museum

The long tubular glass structure covering the front part of Cheong Gye Cheon Museum, established to commemorate the historic Cheonggyecheon restoration project, symbolizes the Cheonggyecheon watercourse which was newly restored to us on October 1, 2005. Cheong Gye Cheon Museum consists of a Permanent Exhibition Gallery, a Special Exhibition Gallery, an auditorium for cultural performances and an education room for children. Visitors can learn about the history of Cheonggyecheon, the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project which proceeded for two years and three months from July 2003 until October 2005, the changing face of the city since then, and a long-term vision of Cheonggyecheon from the permanent exhibition at Cheong Gye Cheon Museum.

Exhibition Arrangement

The Permanent Exhibition Gallery about the past, present and future of Cheonggyecheon can be accessed by using the escalator located outside the building. The exhibition covers the first to fourth floors, and each floor is linked together by spiral ramps to facilitate the convenient and easy viewing of the exhibition.

Exhibition Contents

Cheonggyecheon was a major stream that had been running through Seoul’s downtown area long before the city was designated as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. The history of Cheonggyecheon, which has run alongside the history of the city, is on display at the Permanent Exhibition Gallery of Cheong Gye Cheon Museum.
The first section of the exhibition concerns the history of Cheonggyecheon before it was covered up. Then visitors are led through the space where Gwangtong Bridge, which had been buried underground until the restoration, is recreated to learn about the restoration project. The exhibition will also help people gain a better understanding of how the restoration project has changed and will change the surrounding areas and aesthetic value of the city as well as what part Cheonggyecheon has played in people’s lives since the Joseon period. Visitors will also be able to find out about the future role that Cheonggyecheon is destined to play as Seoul makes a big leap forward to become an environment-friendly city.