A wave of improvement

Editor's note: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China laid out a blueprint for the nation's path to modernization, with the aim of guiding the development of all people in the new era and contributing positively to global progress. Throughout the year, China Daily will run a series of picture stories that highlight important waypoints on this journey. In this fifth installment, we examine the significant water environmental improvement in Beijing.

Thanks to concerted efforts, the capital’s environment has consistently improved, leading to a richer biodiversity. Beijing residents have benefited from a greener and healthier lifestyle. Take a look through our photographer Kuang Linhua’s lens and explore the meandering waterways of the city.

The Liangma River: leisure hub

When the Liangma River is illuminated by lights at night, people stroll along the well-lit riverbank as sightseeing boats negotiate the waterway. Located in the eastern part of the capital, the river was in dire need of restoration. In 2019, Chaoyang district’s authorities initiated a project to turn the waterway into a landscaped corridor with a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In July 2021, a 2-kilometer-long cruise route was opened, and in September, the route was extended to 6 km and is spanned by 24 bridges.

Today, the river is a popular scenic spot for residents and tourists.

The Miyun Reservoir: bird’s paradise

Serving as the capital’s major water storage site, the Miyun Reservoir, with a surface area of 188 square kilometers at its peak, has been a paradise for wildlife, such as migratory birds, plants and fish.

To better understand the relationship between birds and the habitat, reservoir patroller Jia Gelong and Meng Ziyou observe and record the species on reservoir with the help of infrared cameras on a daily basis.

More than 200 bird species have been observed in the reservoir area. Thanks to various efforts in water conservation and pollution control, the amount of water stored in the Miyun Reservoir reached a record of about 3.58 billion cubic meters in 2021.

The Olympic Forest Park: city getaway

In May, a yellow-breasted bunting, a critically endangered species of bird, was spotted in the Olympic Forest Park, a sure indicator of an improving ecological environment. Built as part of the city’s green efforts for the 2008 Beijing Games, the park becomes an important public space that provides recreation, educational opportunities and environmental benefits to residents and visitors alike. During the summer vacation, various educational programs are organized to help youngsters explore the nature.

Complied by Du Juan and Wang Qian