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30-year restoration takes ecological decline to stunning autumn scenery

China 17:08, 15-Oct-2026

CGTN

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Autumn paints a picturesque scene along the Fenhe River in Taiyuan, capital city of northern China's Shanxi Province. Here, lush greenery lines the banks and visitors stroll along the waterfront.

As the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River, the Fenhe River stretches more than 700 kilometers, including 188 kilometers through Taiyuan. Its 45-kilometer urban stretch is now a green corridor and popular recreational destination.

But in the late 1990s, the river faced ecological degradation, seasonal water shortages and pollution. Since 1998, local government has invested more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in five phases of ecological restoration, completed in September 2025. The project introduced artificial multi-level river channels, cascading water-retention lakes and constructed wetlands, significantly improving water quality and restoring the local ecosystem.

Today, the riverfront combines ecological conservation with cultural heritage, sports, tourism and leisure, showcasing the results of nearly three decades of restoration.