Tancheon

The original name for the stream may have been the native Korean word "Sutnae" (숯내; 순내; lit. charcoal stream). The meaning of this name was translated into Hanja (Chinese characters) as 炭川; this can then be read in Korean as "Tan-cheon" (탄천).^[1]

The "Sut" or "Tan" part of the name may have come from a place called "Sut-gol" (숯골) or "Tan-gol" (탄골); this was an area along the river that corresponds to the current Taepyeong-dong, Sujin-dong, and Sinheung-dong in Seongnam.^[2][3][1] That area was considered to produce much charcoal.^[3]

The stream was officially assigned its name during the 1910–1945 Japanese colonial period.^[1]

The stream has been known by many other names, such as Geomcheon (검천; 儉川), Heomcheon (험천; 險川), Meonae (머내), Cheonhocheon (천호천; 穿呼川), and Jancheon (잔천; 鵲川).^{[citation needed]}

The stream originates from the mountain Beophwasan [ko] in Yongin. It flows north and merges with the stream Dongmakcheon in Gumi-dong.^[2][3] It then merges with the stream Jungcheon in Imae-dong, then with Yangjaecheon in Daechi-dong in Seoul.^[3] It then merges into the Han River near Seoul Olympic Stadium.^[2][3] It has a total length of 32.66 km (20.29 mi).^[3]

There are bicycle lanes and walking paths along the stream. Large apartment complexes line the stream.^[3] There is courts for sports such as tennis along the river.^[4]

Along the approximately 25-kilometer stretch of the Tancheon that passes through Seongnam, there are five water parks open to the public.^[5] They are free of charge and popular with families with young children. The Tancheon water parks (탄천 물놀이장) are open every year from July 1 to August 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. At the parks there are changing rooms available as well as many chairs and picnic tables. They can be found at:

• Yatap-dong, in front of Manna Church (만나 교회앞)
• Jeongja-dong, in front of Singi Elementary School (신기 초등학교앞)
• Geumgok-dong, in front of Bulgok Middle School (불곡 중학교앞)
• Imae-dong, by the Unjung Stream footpath (운중천)
• Behind the Bundang district office (분당구청뒤)

Before the 1920s, Yangjaecheon and Tancheon merged into the Han river at different points. However, the 1925 flood of the Han River [ko] caused the course of the two streams to change.^[3] The quality of the water in the river declined in the 1990s, during the rapid development of Seongnam. However, it gradually improved after then.^[3]

These photographs are in order from south to north, i.e. from source to mouth.

•  
  Looking north from near Bojeong, Yongin
•  
  In Jukjeon, Yongin
•  
  The Pungdeokcheon joins the Tancheon from the south-west (right of photo) in Jukjeon, Yongin
•  
  Under National Road 43 to Gwangju in Jukjeon, Yongin
•  
  An artificial island in Jukjeon, Yongin
•  
  Looking north from Bundang's Seoul University Hospital
•  
  Looking north from near Taepyeong, Seongnam
•  
  Entering Seoul from Seongnam
•  
  Looking south from the bridge near Suseo, Seoul

• Rivers of Korea
• Geography of South Korea

 

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Tancheon (category)

37°31′N 127°04′E / 37.517°N 127.067°E / 37.517; 127.067