The following are five riverside areas in key business cities that offer outstanding recreational and entertainment opportunities to enjoy once the work is done and it is time to unwind.
Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea
The river: The Han River
Getting there: An important island in the river, Yeouido is a hub for the city’s commercial and government activities, consisting of the National Assembly Building and the Korean stock exchange, among others. It is connected by both Seoul Subway line 5 and 9 at Yeouido Station, Yeouinaru Station, Saetgang Station and National Assembly Station.
Outdoor activities: You can rent a bike in Yeouido (roughly 3000 won/US$2.70 an hour), and have picnics, visit cafés or watch the weekly outdoor concerts along the 80 km cycling trail that stretches across both sides of The Han River. The parks along the riverbanks have rollerblading rinks and various ball courts. There's also water sports like surfing, wakeboarding and jet-skiing.
Outdoor areas: The river boasts 12 citizen’s parks along its banks. Yeouido Park, opened in 1999, is among the most popular – with many Korean TV dramas having used the park as a shooting location. The park is divided into three sections: a traditional Korean forest with trees and pavilions, a natural ecosystem forest section where you can explore a swamp right in the middle of the city and Culture Square for street music performances.
Restaurants: Café Aritaum at Yanghwa Bridge has a quirky style with circular windows, red lighting and a futuristic metallic elevator. From here you can take in the stunning night views of The Han River and the city skyline both day and night.
History: During the Korean War, the South Koreans used the river to defend themselves against the invading North Korean army. The river also served as a key component during South Korea’s rapid economic development. Cargo ships have been banned since the beginning of this year to optimise the river and its nearby areas for recreation and tourism.
Fun facts: There are 27 bridges that connect both sides of the river. Check out Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain – the world’s longest fountain bridge – which performs a light show with 200 lights and jets of water dancing to music every weekday at 8pm and 9pm, and 5pm and 7:30pm on weekends.
Riverside Precinct, Brisbane, Australia
The river: The Brisbane River pierces right through the city of Brisbane, dividing it in half.
Getting there: The precinct is located on the north bank of The Brisbane River and is easily accessible by train, bus and ferry. Visitors can access it either through South Bank Railway Station or Central Station, or take a ferry ride on Brisbane’s CityCat services.
Outdoor activities: The Riverlife Adventure Center was established in 2005, and allows you to kayak and climb down from the nearby 20-metre-high Kangaroo Point Cliffs, guided by instructors. There's also a mangrove walk at the riverside Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – a dense forest home to many kinds of birds, crabs and small fish.
Cultural activities: Riverlife also offers you the opportunity to experience the local Brisbane aboriginal tribe by participating in traditional singing and dancing, learning how to start a fire and tasting aboriginal cuisine. Or head to the Riverside Markets held every Sunday on the river’s north bank and pick through wares in stalls owned by local artists and craftsmen – you can even get your palm read here! There's also an outdoor concert area which has hosted concerts by Muse, Foo Fighters and Daft Punk. This April and May two big hip-hop festivals will be hosted here.
Restaurants: Waterfront Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse serves a high-quality steak and seafood menu. Sake Restaurant & Bar is another popular choice in the area with a contemporary Japanese menu where all food is matched with a type of sake or shochu.
History: Brisbane was born when three convicts from Britain, after sailing for 21 days without water, discovered the mouth of The Brisbane River and were allowed to stay and live there. One of the convicts later guided a captain Oxley through the city, who named the river after Sir Brisbane, governor of New South Wales.
Sumida, Tokyo, Japan
The river: Sumida River, which flows through Tokyo and then to Tokyo Bay.
Getting there: The Sumida area is connected by train at the Asakusa station on the Ginza line.
Outdoor activities: The Sumida River Fireworks Display is one of the most popular firework festivals in Japan and is held on the last Saturday of July. The event attracts up to a million people, most of whom show up in summer yukata, the Japanese traditional dress. There's also a walking trail through the area’s historic sites Senju Ohashi Bridge and the Adachi Market, which have been in existence since the 18th century. A second trail takes you through recent developments along the river including the 129,000 sqm Shioiri Park with 495 tennis courts!
Cultural activities: Herds of tourists grace Sumida Park each year for its annual sakura festivals. The Sumida Sakura festival is held from mid-March till mid-April at the park this year with nearly 700 sakura trees. There is also a Sakura Parade on March 31 and April 1 in the same spot. Local children perform traditional acts such as the sakura dance, carrying shrines and singing. Many more events are held every year along the river such as Clean the Sumida River campaign every June and a summer festival in August.
Restaurant: Riverside Cafe Cielo y Rio serves a Western menu with a Japanese twist using seasonal ingredients. Designed by local architect Patti Yuko, the café has a pink see-through glass door and a different design for each corner of the venue.
History: The Sumida River was one of the most prosperous regions during the Edo period from the 17th to 19th century.
Chao Phraya, Bangkok, Thailand
The river: The Chao Phraya River runs through over 10 cities from upper to lower Thailand.
Outdoor activities: Chao Phraya comes alive at the annual Loi Krathong Festival: a traditional Thai festival that celebrates of the Goddess of Water and presents an opportunity to cleanse and purify negative emotions. This event involves making crowns from flowers and floating them on the river and releasing lanterns into the sky. It will be held on November 17 this year.
Cultural activities: The newly opened Asiatique the Riverfront, a former pier and warehouse built back in the 1900s, is a modern mix of Thai night markets and a shopping mall. Take the Chao Phraya ferry from Saphan Taksin BTS station and get off at Phra Athit Road, a quiet street along the river with buildings dating back more than 100 years where there is plenty of live music bars, such as Jham Jun Phranakorn Rooftop Bar & Bistro.
Restaurants: Mister Pas, on 140 Phra Athit Road, is a fusion restaurant serving up local cuisine for adventurous foodies.
History: Chao Phraya literally translates as “the River of Kings”, and was named by King Rama I. The 372 km long river cuts through more than 10 cities in Thailand. Its ferry services are still used by more than 50,000 people daily.
Upper West Side, New York City, the United States
The river: The Hudson River flows through the east of New York state and passes through many historic towns such as Sleepy Hollow and Irvington.
Getting there: The area goes from 59th Street on the south, 125th Street on the north and is near Central Park and Morningside Park. You can get there by subway at stops 72nd St and 96th St, by bus or by bicycle.
Outdoor activities: The Hudson River Community Sailing offers sailing trips for small and big groups at any time of the day.
Cultural activities: Riverside Park hosts numerous recreation facilities and events all year round, including a Blues Barbecue Festival and MoonDance, where you learn different dances.
Restaurants: Boat Basin Café has a full bar overlooking the Hudson River and serves American classics like burgers and hotdogs. Pier i Café, meanwhile, is a reasonably priced outdoor venue offering burgers and an extensive drink menu.
History: The Hudson River, discovered by European explorer Henry Hudson in 1609, was an important defense against the French during the 1750s French and Indian War, and it supported industrial development in New York by acting as a transport route to the West.
Yanni Chan
