Liangma River Drained for Construction of New Park

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Liangma River has been drained, as the first stage of work to convert the whole riverfront into an urban park.

The Chaoyang District Water Supply Bureau announced that the "Liangmaqiao International-Style Waterfront" will be completed by the end of the year. The 800,000 square meter park will run from the Fourth to the Second Ring Roads and will have four themes: living and leisure, international communication, commercial vitality, and natural ecological river bank.

The city authorities hope to boost tourism, offering a night boat which will take visitors along 1.5 kilometers of the river. There will also be a jogging path along the bank.

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The park will contribute to efforts to reduce air pollution in the city, by building new green areas, and will also help in flood control. The river is to be widened under the plans, and wildlife encouraged. “At the foot of the shoreline slope, fish nests will be built with bricks and stones, providing a breeding space for fish and shrimp, and creating a river with habitats and ecology,” according to the announcement.

The Liangmaqiao neighborhood’s proximity to many major embassies, including those of the US, Germany, and France, makes it a popular area for expat restaurants and bars, but businesses along the waterfront had not been informed of the ambitious plans for the park.

Liangma River has been completely drained for the construction of the new park

“This is the first real information I’ve got,” said Will Yorke, owner of Arrow Factory Brewing. “I asked them why they were fencing off the street, and they said it was for cleaning the river.”

However, he was enthusiastic about the plans.

Will Yorke took this photograph of workers on the dried-up river bed

“We always thought boats would be a great thing on the river. It’s a super tranquil spot in Beijing. When Spring hits fully and we get the first real warmth, a walk down the pathway with the weeping willows green, and blossom out on the trees, is a very relaxing way to get to the Third Ring Road by foot. I am sure they will make it really nice. Beijing needs more things to do like this, and this is a great way for parents to get the strollers out or their kids out and go for a walk.”

However, the authorities might be less keen on one of his suggestions.

“I think they should add alligators,” he joked. “Make jogging a little more exciting. Test the reflexes.”

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Photos: Toby Loyola, Will Yorke, Qianlong.com

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