Urban renewal
As spring rolls in, willow branches sway gently along the banks. Several mallards paddle leisurely across the surface, occasionally dipping their heads below before emerging with a spray of droplets.
On the riverside path, people jog, walk their dogs, and push strollers at an unhurried pace.
It is a far cry from the scene over a decade ago, when much of the riverbank was lined with vertical embankments. Although many commercial buildings and office towers stood along the waterfront, most of them were oriented away from the river.
The site's transformation began decades ago. In 1982, more than 2,000 construction workers excavated 320,000 cubic meters of mud and built nearly 10,000 cubic meters of protective embankments.
The "Clean Water Chaoyang" initiative launched before the 2008 Olympic Games marked another turning point, when treating the river became an ecological battle. The most dramatic changes came in 2019, when authorities launched a comprehensive campaign, "River Restoration Driving Urban Renewal".
Today, the Liangma River's water is clear enough to see fish swimming, and egrets have returned.
"Watching this river come back to life has been incredible," Zhang says, adding that when people fall into the water while paddleboarding, they laugh about it.
Views from this year's cruise season take in nearly 1,000 cherry and peach trees planted along the banks.
"When they're in full bloom, passengers will sail through clouds of pink and white," she says.
The boats operate from March through mid-November, with peak daily ridership reaching 1,000 passengers.
The route passes seven of the 24 bridges spanning the Liangma River. In addition to the splendid light shows, night cruises reveal another dimension, where a naked-eye 3D art space adds a futuristic layer to the journey.
A short walk along the north bank leads to Liangma Xiaoyuan (Liangma Small Courtyard), a quiet space tucked away from the bustle.
Under outdoor umbrellas, people sip coffee while reading, work on laptops, or simply gaze at the river. Young visitors pose for photos in front of a rose-covered wall, or seem lost in thought, sitting on a swing with their headphones on.
The courtyard now houses businesses ranging from a chic cafe, a creative cultural products store and a flower shop to a casual dining spot.
Seasonal flowers and plants create a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. Street-side terraces and camping-style seating add to the relaxed vibe. At night, lights illuminate the space, creating an interplay of shadows and greenery.
"The courtyard hosts salon events where young people gather to chat over coffee, or simply soak up the sun," says Zhu Mengjiao, an official from the Beijing Chaoyang Culture and Tourism Development Group responsible for the development of the Liangma River cultural and economic belt.
Across the river, a newly opened two-level platform offers a leisurely rhythm that shifts from day to night — reading with coffee by day, unwinding with a drink after dark.
"These small commercial spaces are like capillaries feeding the river's vitality, representing the '1,000 ways of living' along the Liangma River," Zhu notes.
