Anyangcheon
Encyclopedia
The Anyangcheon is a river in Gyeonggi-do
and Seoul
, South Korea
. It has its source on the slopes of Mount Gwanggyo
in the city of Uiwang
and flows north, through the city of Gunpo
, where a major cleanup operation saw several species of birds return to the area in 2005. Here, though, the water table remains depleted. The river then flows through Anyang City, where it is met by its major tributary, the Hakuicheon
stream. From here, it loops around to the west before continuing north to the border with Gwangmyeong City. As the river passes to the west of Mount Gwanak
, it forms the border between Gwangmyeong and Seoul
, where it is lined on the Gwangmyeong side with rape
fields and cherry blossom trees. After the stream is joined near Guil Station
from the west by the Mokgamcheon stream, which forms another border between Gwangmyeong and Seoul, it is then totally within the capital. Here, it is also joined from the east by the Dorimcheon
and passes through a conservation zone for migratory birds which was established after a 2005 cleanup operation, whereafter it joins the Han
. Most of the length of the river has a path alongside providing easy access, the only parts without this lying in Uiwang
. Seoul
City Council has embarked on a programme of exclusive cycle path creation alongside its waterways, including the Anyangcheon, to be completed in 2010.
(goldfish) further downstream, by Gwangmyeong
. The river also houses a number of species of birds, including the egrets, the grey heron
, northern shoveler
, common teal
and mallard
. A conservation area has been established close to the confluence with the Han River
, where the footpath is set back from the riverside to leave migratory birds a more natural setting.
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
and Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It has its source on the slopes of Mount Gwanggyo
Gwanggyosan
Gwanggyosan is a small mountain in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies on the border of Suwon and Yongin, though the wider range extends north and so also borders Uiwang, Gwacheon, Seoul and Seongnam....
in the city of Uiwang
Uiwang
Uiwang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is one of many satellite cities that ring Seoul, making up the Seoul National Capital Area. Its largest immediate urban neighbor is Anyang...
and flows north, through the city of Gunpo
Gunpo
Gunpo is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. Its largest immediate urban neighbor is Suwon. Hansei University is located in the city....
, where a major cleanup operation saw several species of birds return to the area in 2005. Here, though, the water table remains depleted. The river then flows through Anyang City, where it is met by its major tributary, the Hakuicheon
Hakuicheon
The Hakuicheon is a river in Uiwang and Anyang, South Korea. It has its source on the slopes of Baekunsan in the city of Uiwang, at the foot of which it forms Baekun Lake, from which it then flows west into Anyang, where it joins the Anyangcheon. The river has a path alongside providing easy...
stream. From here, it loops around to the west before continuing north to the border with Gwangmyeong City. As the river passes to the west of Mount Gwanak
Gwanaksan
Gwanaksan is a small mountain in southern Seoul, South Korea. Portions lie in the Gwanak-gu and Geumcheon-gu districts of Seoul; other portions lie in the neighboring cities of Anyang and Gwacheon....
, it forms the border between Gwangmyeong and Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, where it is lined on the Gwangmyeong side with rape
Rapeseed
Rapeseed , also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae...
fields and cherry blossom trees. After the stream is joined near Guil Station
Guil Station
Guil Station is a subway station in Seoul, South Korea, that serves Seoul Subway Line 1. The name of this station comes from its location within Guro 1 -dong. Dongyang Technical College is located nearby.-Vicinity:...
from the west by the Mokgamcheon stream, which forms another border between Gwangmyeong and Seoul, it is then totally within the capital. Here, it is also joined from the east by the Dorimcheon
Dorimcheon
The Dorimcheon is a river in Seoul, South Korea. It has its source in the valley between Gwanaksan and Samseongsan in southern Seoul and flows north, past Seoul National University. From Sillim Station to Daerim Station, it is covered by Line 2 of the Seoul Subway, which is elevated above the...
and passes through a conservation zone for migratory birds which was established after a 2005 cleanup operation, whereafter it joins the Han
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
. Most of the length of the river has a path alongside providing easy access, the only parts without this lying in Uiwang
Uiwang
Uiwang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is one of many satellite cities that ring Seoul, making up the Seoul National Capital Area. Its largest immediate urban neighbor is Anyang...
. Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
City Council has embarked on a programme of exclusive cycle path creation alongside its waterways, including the Anyangcheon, to be completed in 2010.
Wildlife
The Anyangcheon is home to a variety of wildlife. The dominant fish of the river are Zacco platypus (freshwater minnow) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus in the more upstream areas near the source, and Carassius auratusGoldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
(goldfish) further downstream, by Gwangmyeong
Gwangmyeong
Gwangmyeong is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It borders Seoul to the north and northeast, Anyang to the east and south, and Siheung to the southwest.-Districts:There are 18 administrative districts in Gwangmyeong...
. The river also houses a number of species of birds, including the egrets, the grey heron
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
, northern shoveler
Northern Shoveler
The Northern Shoveler , Northern Shoveller in British English, sometimes known simply as the Shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, and is a rare vagrant to Australia...
, common teal
Common Teal
The Eurasian Teal or Common Teal is a common and widespread duck which breeds in temperate Eurasia and migrates south in winter. The Eurasian Teal is often called simply the Teal due to being the only one of these small dabbling ducks in much of its range...
and mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
. A conservation area has been established close to the confluence with the Han River
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
, where the footpath is set back from the riverside to leave migratory birds a more natural setting.