73 waterfront parks to prevent flooding in 'Sponge City' plan

Beijing plans to build 73 waterfront parks to absorb rainfall in summer, which is an effective way to lower the risk of flooding and to collect water in the capital, the city's planning committee said.

In the capital's downtown districts, residents will be able enjoy the green parks with water features such as ponds or small lakes and rivers.

But during the rainy season, the parks will be able to store as much as 10 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to the amount of five Kunming Lakes, the famous spot in the Summer Palace.