A 3.5-kilometer pedestrian waterfront green corridor leads directly to West Third Ring Road in Beijing.

The 3.5-kilometer pedestrian greenway connects both banks of the South Changhe River, while over a thousand meters of dedicated cycling paths lead straight to West Third Ring Road. Eleven cultural water features are dotted among the riverside green spaces... This morning, reporters learned from Haidian District that the South Changhe River Waterfront Green Corridor project, stretching from Liandiyuan South Road in Haidian District in the west to the north side of Zizhu Bridge on West Third Ring Road in the east, has been completed. South Changhe River Park will soon open to the public free of charge.

At the southern section of the park, reporters observed that the smooth pathways consist of brick surfaces in the middle and small gravel on both sides. Every so often along the walk, visitors can enjoy landscapes such as “Melody in the Curved Garden” and “Spring Stroll Along the Embankment,” which combine green trees, flowers, sculptures, and poetic text. Outside the park lies a dedicated red cycling path, with distance counters marked in both directions. The cycling path is already open to the public.

“Ever since this cycling path was built, I almost come here every day, pushing my grandson in a stroller for a round trip from our home to West Third Ring Road. The scenery along the way really lifts my spirits,” said Auntie Zhang, who lives in Building 10, Che Dao Gou. She added that in the past, there were only simple lawns and river water here, many of the grassy areas were trampled by pedestrians, litter was common, and there were even illegal structures on the north bank. “I never expected it to become this beautiful. It feels like we can enjoy a waterside view in the city just like in the countryside.”

A relevant official from the Haidian District Bureau of Landscape and Forestry explained that the South Changhe River Waterfront Green Corridor project stretches about 1,500 meters from East Third Ring Road in the east to Liandiyuan South Road in the west, covering a total area of 17 hectares on both banks. Before construction, the riverbanks and greenery were rather monotonous, with few recreational facilities and several illegal buildings. “To beautify the riverside landscape and provide fitness and leisure opportunities for local residents, we began constructing the waterfront corridor last year. By integrating plant landscapes along the river, we created a zigzag scenic sightline across the water. We also specially designed a 3.5-kilometer internal pathway system that connects both banks, forming a complete pedestrian network,” the official said. The park also takes full advantage of the river's scenic resources, unfolding various attractions along the waterfront green corridor. The south bank is divided into a Longhe History Exhibition Area and a Regional Culture Leisure Area, forming a “cultural corridor,” while the north bank includes a Youth Science and Technology Activity Area, a Public Fitness Area, and a Public Recreation Area, creating a “health corridor.”

Currently, the main construction of the South Changhe River Waterfront Corridor has been completed, with final landscaping and the installation of convenience facilities still underway. Once finished, the area will be open to the public free of charge. It’s reported that both banks of the river are densely populated with over ten residential communities, including Changwa Street compounds, Shui’an Mingju, Building 10 of Che Dao Gou, Huijingge Apartments, and Meilin Garden. Nearby residents have suggested adding safety warning strips and lighting near areas with many steps to ensure the safety of elderly people and children who wish to use the space for leisure at night. J235

South Changhe River: The history of the South Changhe River dates back to the Yuan Dynasty. It flourished most notably after being designated as an imperial river during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. For a long time, it served the sacred role of supplying water to the capital and also became a popular destination for willow viewing, attracting thousands of visitors.

Waterfront Green Corridor: This initiative aligns with Beijing’s 12th Five-Year Plan, which emphasized integrated management of rivers, water resource security, and pollution prevention. The plan aimed to gradually restore ecological landscapes along waterways and build vibrant green corridors alongside them. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, ten major waterfront green corridors were planned along central urban water systems including Liangma River, North Xiaoriver, the City Moat, Tonghui River, Liangshui River, and Qinghe River—creating green, accessible, and picturesque waterfront scenes described as “waters that charm and shores that welcome.”