Waterway enters new phase of development

After years of renovation efforts, the Liangma River in Chaoyang district has become a landmark welcoming international visitors to enjoy diverse lifestyles.

With a total length of about 10 kilometers, the Liangma River originates from the Beijing moat and flows eastward into the Ba River, serving as an ecological and cultural corridor connecting the capital city and its urban regions.

But it wasn't always so picturesque. Prior to 1998, the Liangma River wound through rural landscapes and was primarily used for flood control and irrigation. With the rapid urbanization of Beijing, from 1999 to 2019, the Liangma River was in an environmental water management phase focused on pollution control and ecological improvement.

This period saw fragmented governance. Water and riverbanks were managed separately, resulting in persistent sanitation issues. Businesses along the river turned their backs to the waterway, while pedestrian access remained limited.

Chaoyang district envisions the Liangma River as the eye of the water network in Chaoyang. For such a river, merely achieving clear water quality is far from enough, said Wang Chengzhi, director of the district's water affairs bureau.

"We believe that the Liangma River requires a comprehensive upgrade and transformation. Not only should the water be clear, but the scenery should also be beautiful."

In 2019, the district initiated a new round of comprehensive rehabilitation of the Liangma River, calling for global expertise on landscape corridor management and planning, marking the river's entry into a phase of high-quality development.

Rather than water management, the district proposed "revitalizing the river to drive urban renewal", implementing six projects: river management, bridge renovation, pedestrian connectivity, landscape lighting, river-lake integration, and tourism navigation. This initiative aims for systematic urban renewal that integrates water, city, landscape, culture and tourism, linking ecology, culture and economy.

On top of that, the Liangma River international style waterfront commenced construction in 2019 and opened to the public in August 2020.

With years of efforts, the waterfront underwent advancement, expanding to 6 km by 2022 and adding 24 bridges and 18 scenic spots. The Yansha Bridge passage was completed in 2023 to create an 18-km greenway, and a unique 3D art space was established in 2024, becoming an attraction for more citizens.

From paddleboarding and enjoying river views to savoring food, taking boat rides, skateboarding and fishing, the Liangma River offers various leisure activities. The revitalized Liangma River waterfront has emerged as a popular public space combining culture, leisure, fitness, entertainment and shopping.

The quality of life for residents along the Liangma River has significantly improved. Businesses on both sides of the river have shifted from "operating away from the river" to "embracing riverfront development", with commercial activity increasing by more than 30 percent, said Zhu Yalei, deputy director of Chaoyang district's water affairs bureau.

The Liangma River has become the capital's only waterfront economic belt that integrates elements of culture, commerce and tourism. It exemplifies the scientific concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", Zhu said.

In recent years, the river has seen a series of international events. Also, an increasing number of bookstores, restaurants, cafes and cultural shops are setting up along the riverbanks, creating a diverse blend of leisure, tourism and consumption.

In 2023, Chaoyang district initiated the construction of the Liangma River cultural and economic belt, aiming to create a world-class waterfront consumption economic zone to support Beijing's development as an international consumption center.

Since its launch, the belt has introduced numerous new urban consumption scenarios and activities such as the Beijing Chaoyang International Tea Culture Festival and the China International Craft Beer Festival.

In the second phase of the cultural and economic belt, Chaoyang district will focus on the urban renewal of Chaoyang Park, adopting the planning concept of transitioning "from an urban park to a park city". Multiple locations will undergo renovation and enhancement. Upon completion, a diverse cultural hub that integrates the city with the park will emerge.

Additionally, the Chaoyang Museum of Urban Planning team is focused on introducing emerging industries like digital entertainment and digital art, creating a cutting-edge cultural venue for young people.

The Shell Theater located on the central island of Chaoyang Park aims to integrate top-quality domestic and international artistic elements, establishing a cultural hub within the park to enrich citizens' lives.

Meanwhile, Fangzhou Lake, located across from the Pop Mart City Park, is a popular destination. The second phase will target a young, dynamic audience by incorporating cabins, lawns and the lake to craft a relaxed, trendy outdoor lifestyle and an "internet-famous" consumption area.

According to the district, in its third phase, the belt will focus on the Liuliwan project, positioning it as an "urban-style boundless waterfront park", enriching the waterfront consumption scenarios along the Liangma River, enhancing the quality of commerce, and invigorating the overall vitality of the Liuliwan area and the Liangma River cultural and economic belt.