Shijiazhuang Hutuo River Scenic Area

Shijiazhuang Hutuo River Scenic Area

The Hutuo River flows southwest between the Hengshan and Wutai mountains, then turns eastward at Jiehe, cutting through the Xizhou Mountain and Taihang Mountain ranges, and continues east to meet another branch of the Ziya River, the Fuyang River, at Zangqiao in Xian County, Hebei Province. It has a total length of 587 kilometers and a drainage area of 27,300 square kilometers. Its main tributaries include the Yangwu River, Yunzhong River, Muma River, Qingshui River, Nanping River, and Ye River, arranged in a feather-like pattern.

The Chahe (Hutuo River and Taiping River) Scenic Area in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, is located south of the ancient city of Zhengding and north of downtown Shijiazhuang. Built upon the natural environment and terrain of the Hutuo River and developed through extensive municipal restoration efforts, the Taiping River Ecological Development Project stretches 14.25 kilometers along the waterfront. It extends from the Hutuo River in the east to Beixincheng in the west, creating 2.64 million square meters of new water surfaces and 4.9 million square meters of green space. The eastern section, 7.8 kilometers long, is part of the original Chahe Restoration Project, which was completed in early September 2005 with water filling in the river channel, and officially opened to the public on October 1st. It not only provides residents with a new leisure destination but also serves as an excellent habitat for migratory birds. On weekends and holidays, large numbers of citizens visit to sightsee, fish, and fly kites.

On March 7, 2005, a flock of swans, rarely seen in many years, flew to the Taiping River, bringing much vitality to the scenic area. On October 2, 2005, the Taiping River successfully hosted the Tsinghua–Cambridge University Rowing Competition between Chinese and British prestigious schools, attracting over 100,000 local citizens to watch, making it a highlight of the National Day Golden Week. The western section, 6.45 kilometers long, is part of the original Northwest Water Conservancy Flood Control and Ecology Phase I Project, which started construction in October 2004 and was completed and opened to the public free of charge on May 1, 2006. It features a 6.45-kilometer water landscape and five linear parks on the north bank. These five parks are both independent and interconnected, built along the water and integrated into it. A variety of aquatic plants grow along the shore, and boardwalks weave through the landscape, perfectly combining landscaping with flood control infrastructure.

Scenic Area Address: At the confluence of the Taiping River and Hutuo River, northern Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 130, 177, K177, or You10 within Shijiazhuang City and get off at Taipinghe Park Station