Yongding River in Beijing

Yongding River in Beijing

The Yongding River, originally known as the Wuding River, is one of the seven major river systems in the Haihe River Basin. It originates in Ningwu County, Shanxi Province, flows through Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces, crosses the two municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin, and joins the Haihe River in Tianjin before flowing into the Bohai Sea at Tanggu. Nowadays, many reservoirs have been constructed in the Yongding River Basin, resulting in very little water flow in the river channel. Many sections have been converted into wetland parks, and the once surging waters can no longer be seen. Some stretches have dried up completely, and even the iconic “Morning Moon over Lugou Bridge” view now relies on water transferred from the South-to-North Water Diversion Project to be maintained.

The Yongding River is rich in ancient legends, with a long history, vivid imagery, diverse content, and strong local characteristics. These stories are widely circulated along both banks of the river and represent the collective wisdom of the people living there. For Beijing, the Yongding River can be considered a mother river.

Scenic Spot Location

After entering Shijingshan District from Sanjiadian in Mentougou District, the river flows through areas such as Wulituo, Mayu, Pangcun, and Shuitun, and then enters Fengtai District south of Yamenkou Village.