Tanghe Park

Tanghe Park

Qinhuangdao is a famous coastal tourist city in northern China. The Tanghe River is located in the western part of Qinhuangdao’s urban area and is named after the hot springs upstream. This project is situated on both banks of the lower reaches of the Tanghe River in the northwest of Haigang District, stretching from Haiyang Bridge on Beihuan Road in the north to Gangcheng Avenue Bridge on Huanghe Road in the south. The section is approximately 1 kilometer long, and the total design area covers about 20 hectares. The Tanghe River is a typical mountain stream, characterized by a short and rapid flow. In the downstream area of the site, there is a tidal water-retaining sluice built in the 1960s–70s, which intercepts and stores upstream water for the city. In 2002, an investment of 6.34 million yuan was made to comprehensively plan Tanghe Park, renovating an area of 50,000 square meters. By digging out land to create a lake, accumulating earth to form hills, and adding various recreational facilities, Tanghe Park was transformed into an open public park. In 2003, the park underwent further lighting upgrades.

In the process of urbanization and urban expansion, the channelization, hardening, and “beautification” of natural riverways are thriving in cities across China — a sad trend. We could definitely adopt more sensible approaches to transforming and utilizing urban rivers. This case illustrates how to preserve the green and blue foundations of natural rivers during urbanization, minimally altering the original terrain, vegetation, and historically significant cultural elements while meeting the recreational needs of urban residents and creating a contemporary landscape experience space.

Currently, Tanghe Park has developed into six major functional areas: a leisure green space zone, a waterscape zone, an ornamental flower zone, a cultural service zone, a memorial zone, and a sculpture and ornament zone. With flowing streams, fragrant lotus blossoms, lush cypresses and pines, and elegantly carved pavilions, the park has become an ideal destination for recreation and leisure among local residents.