Beijing transforms river into leisure hub

The Liangma River provides a setting for paddleboarding enthusiasts and families. [Photo by Feng Chengyu/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Thanks to sustained efforts, Beijing has created a more relaxed, foreigner-friendly, park-like city in recent years.

Residents benefited from a greener and more diverse lifestyle. Liangma River, a plain and unknown river in the past, has become a leisure hub and a landmark of environmental improvement of waterways in the city.

The Liangma is illuminated by lights at night, and people stroll along the riverbank as sightseeing boats navigate the waterway.

Located in the eastern part of the capital, the river was in dire need of restoration. In 2019, Chaoyang district's authorities initiated a project to turn it into a landscaped corridor with a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In July 2021, a 2-kilometer cruise route was opened, and in September that year the route was extended to 6 km. It has 24 bridges.

Today, the river is a popular scenic spot for residents and tourists.

Cui Yutong contributed to this story.

The Liangma River provides a setting for paddleboarding enthusiasts. [Photo by Feng Chengyu/For chinadaily.com.cn]The Liangma River provides a setting for paddleboarding enthusiasts. [Photo by Feng Chengyu/For chinadaily.com.cn]A baby dabbles in the fountains along the Wangjing Walk street. [Photo by Wen Ke/For chinadaily.com.cn]Children dabble in the fountains along the Wangjing Walk street. [Photo by Wen Ke/For chinadaily.com.cn]