Anyangcheon

I’m not a bird watcher but I believe that I’d be satisfied with Seoul if I was. The mountains come in so close around the city that it’s not difficult to find tree covered areas teeming with bird life. Plus there are the parks and gardens like Yongsan Family Park and the grounds of Jongmyo Shrine.

The Han river and its tributaries are also a good place to look for our feathered friends. The platforms at Guil station (line 1) are built on a bridge over the Anyangcheon. Koreans translate “cheon” as “stream,” but this is clearly a river.

I haven’t been measuring the bird population of the Anyangcheon but it seems lively enough. Herons, cranes and a variety of ducks waddle in its often shallow waters and there are usually magpies and pigeons on the banks. I’m under the impression that there is more activity in the winter because migrating birds come down from the north.

You can get down to the riverside by taking the sloping path directly in front of the subway station entrance. Turning right at the bottom of the path will take you towards Mok-dong, which can be identified by tall towers in the distance. Turning left will take you to Geumcheon. I haven’t explored the second route for a long time because when I first arrived in Seoul it was very underdeveloped. However, the local council have been putting a lot of effort into the riverside area so it may be different now.

The Mok-dong direction is particularly interesting on weekends and holidays because of the sports pitches and rollerblading areas. Companies and clubs often hold football matches by the river as well as barbecues and group aerobic sessions and other fun and games. It’s a great place to see Koreans relaxing.

I enjoy looking at the plants along the riverbank. Sadly most of the spring flowers are gone now but there is a lot of lush green growth.

If you’re hungry after your walk there’s a food court in the Lottemart supermarket near Guil. A good selection of restaurants can also be found in the large white apartment complex opposite the subway station.