Time Travel at the Cheonggyecheon Museum's 20th Anniversary - Retro Spot in the City Center!

Exploring the Cheonggyecheon Museum and the Shack Theme Zone

If you travel along Cheonggyecheon-ro near the Jeongneungcheon Bridge, you will spot a location where the past and present coexist. These are the Cheonggyecheon Museum and the Shack Theme Zone (Panjatjib Theme Zone). Opened in September 2005, this museum was established to showcase the history and culture of Cheonggyecheon Stream, which flows through the heart of Seoul.

On one side of the stream, shanty houses (panjatjib) where the poor lived during the 1960s and 70s have been recreated. On the opposite side stands a modern building made of long, sleek glass.

A Healing Space with a Retro Facade: The Shack Theme Zone

First, let's explore the Shack Theme Zone. When this area was first created, it was filled with nostalgic items that allowed visitors to experience the lifestyle of Seoul in the 1960s. However, to revitalize the space, it underwent a renovation in 2022.

While the exterior still retains the look of old shanty houses, the interior now boasts a modern atmosphere designed as a resting space where visitors can experience nature and ecology. The walls feature illustrations of over 100 species of animals and plants that inhabit Cheonggyecheon. With large windows and wooden benches, it has been reborn as a healing space where you can sit comfortably and gaze at the stream.

Architecture Symbolizing Water: The Cheonggyecheon Museum

Across the street, the Cheonggyecheon Museum is a substantial facility. The long, stretching architecture and clear glass finish are said to symbolize the flowing waters of Cheonggyecheon.

The museum, which spans from two basement levels to four floors above ground, consists of a permanent exhibition hall, a special exhibition hall, an education room, and a small auditorium. The viewing route is unique; visitors take an escalator located outside the building directly to the 4th floor to begin the permanent exhibition. Walking down the gentle ramp from the 4th floor to the 1st floor, you can naturally explore the history of Cheonggyecheon, dating back to before Seoul was designated as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty.

Special Exhibition: Cheonggyecheon People

Currently, the museum is hosting a special exhibition titled "Cheonggyecheon People: Encounter of Life and Memory" to commemorate its 20th anniversary. This free exhibition runs from November 18, 2025, to March 29, 2026.

The exhibition re-examines the meaning of the stream by introducing the lives of various people who have lived alongside it from the Joseon Dynasty to the present, using artifacts and photographs.

The exhibition is divided into three parts:

• • From Gaecheon to Cheonggyecheon
  • Gaecheon People
  • Cheonggyecheon People

In the Joseon Dynasty, the stream was called "Gaecheon" (Open Stream). It began to be called "Cheonggyecheon" during the Japanese colonial period. The stream disappeared under concrete due to covering work in 1958, becoming "Cheonggye-ro," before being revived as a space for Seoul citizens through the restoration project in the 2000s.

The exhibition vividly displays photos and graphics of the shanty houses along the stream and the various shops and merchants in the Dongdaemun area. For older generations, these images may evoke deep memories of the past.

Visitor Information

This exhibition is open to everyone for free. If you want to take a meaningful walk through Seoul's history this winter, the Cheonggyecheon Museum is a perfect destination.

Special Exhibition: Cheonggyecheon People: Encounter of Life and Memory

• Period: November 18, 2025 – March 29, 2026
• Location: Cheonggyecheon Museum Special Exhibition Hall (1st Floor)
• Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Closed every Monday)
• Admission: Free
• Website: Cheonggyecheon Museum Official Website

Source: Seoul newsletter