Cyclists ride along the river, families walk with their children and older residents take leisurely strolls beside the water. A few people have stopped to fish.

Along the south bank of Beijing's Qinghe River, the newly opened Qing-Wenyu Riverside Greenway is already attracting visitors with different interests. Some come to exercise or cycle along the water, while others use the space to enjoy the riverside scenery, spend time outdoors or take a break from the pace of city life.

The mix of people and activities offers a glimpse of what the greenway could become as Beijing continues to expand its network of riverside public spaces.

The 34-kilometer section of the Qing-Wenyu Riverside Greenway officially opened to the public on September 23, connecting routes along the Qinghe and Wenyu rivers near Beijing's North Fifth Ring Road. The project is part of a broader effort to link green spaces across the city's northern districts and create more opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor recreation.

Connecting Beijing's green spaces

The newly opened section comprises approximately 29 kilometers along the Qinghe River and another 5 kilometers along the Wenyu River.

Along the Qinghe, the south-bank section runs from the Beijing-Xizang Expressway Bridge to Shaziying Sluice, while the north-bank section connects Xiaqinghe Sluice with Shaziying Sluice. The additional 5-kilometer stretch follows the right embankment road of the Wenyu River, from its confluence with the Qinghe towards Jingmi Road.

The connection allows visitors to cycle from the Qinghe towards the Wenyu River and enter Beijing Wenyu River Park, a large urban green space often described as the city's "green lung." Along the route, riverside vegetation and open views offer a change of scenery from the surrounding roads and built-up areas. Visitors may also spot waterbirds, including wild ducks and egrets.

The greenway forms part of a larger plan to connect three major park clusters: the Three Hills and Five Gardens area, Beijing Olympic Forest Park and Beijing Wenyu River Park. The aim is to link these green spaces through a continuous network of riverside routes.

By the end of 2026, Beijing plans to complete a 46-kilometer riverside greenway along both banks of the Qinghe River. Once fully connected, it is expected to become the longest riverside greenway in Beijing's urban area.

The completed will connect 42 residential communities, 32 parks and 26 commercial areas, bringing the riverside network closer to people's homes and everyday destinations.

A public space for different generations

The scale of the project is significant, but its value can also be seen in how people are using the space.

During a visit to the south bank, cyclists shared the route with families walking with their children and older residents out for a stroll. Others had stopped to fish beside the water.

The scene reflected the different ways a public greenway can fit into everyday life. Not everyone visiting the river is training for a race or trying to cover a particular distance. Some want a place to walk with their children, while others come to cycle, fish or simply spend time outdoors.

That variety is part of what makes connected green spaces useful in a large city. Routes designed for walking and cycling can encourage physical activity while providing a shared environment for people of different ages and interests.

The Qinghe project has involved more than building a new path. Sections of existing water-management inspection roads have been upgraded and widened to create a more continuous riverside route. Near Xiaqinghe Sluice, for example, the road was widened to 6 meters, with new road markings and signs.

Several gaps along the river have also been addressed, making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to continue along the route without taking detours. Three previously disconnected sections have been linked, while work on closing another gap near the Beijing-Xizang Expressway is still underway.

The wider project includes improvements to facilities and access points. Nine water-management facilities along the greenway are intended to open to the public, with six already open at the time of the report. These include facilities with amenities such as seating and toilets, offering visitors places to rest along the route.

From everyday exercise to marathon running

The greenway's potential extends beyond daily recreation. Beijing also plans to use the riverside route as a venue for organized running events.

A half-marathon is also being planned for the route. The proposed course would start near Beijing Olympic Forest Park, follow the Qinghe riverside greenway and finish at Beijing Wenyu River Park.

The route would give runners an opportunity to experience several of the city's northern green spaces as part of a single race, bringing organized sporting activity into a corridor also intended for everyday use.

The longer-term ambition is to establish a full-marathon course once the 46-kilometer greenway is completed. This would add another dimension to the project, linking recreational infrastructure with Beijing's wider running culture.

The plans also highlight how greenways can serve more than one purpose. A route that accommodates daily walking and cycling can also provide infrastructure for community sporting events, encouraging more people to spend time outdoors.

Visitors should, however, be aware of some practical considerations. Beijing's reports note that municipal roads around parts of the Qinghe River have not yet been fully completed. As a result, certain sections of the riverside greenway are open to motor vehicles during designated periods. Visitors are advised to pay attention to safety and follow the route's signs and markings.

Building a connected riverside network

The Qing-Wenyu Riverside Greenway forms part of Beijing's wider plan to connect northern riverside spaces and improve access to the city's waterways.

Future plans include extending the route further north and south. From the Qinghe River, visitors are expected to be able to cycle along the Wenyu River towards the Beijing section of the Grand Canal in Tongzhou.

The development reflects a broader approach by urban planners that places greater emphasis on connecting parks, waterways and residential areas. Rather than treating green spaces as isolated destinations, the aim is to create a network that allows residents to move between them on foot or by bicycle.

The newly opened sections are already bringing people to the river. Cyclists, families with children, older walkers and people fishing are making use of the space in their own ways.

As the network expands and plans for riverside races take shape, the challenge will be to ensure that the greenway serves both organized sporting events and residents who use the space as part of their everyday routines.

Its success may ultimately be measured not only by the distance it covers or the races it hosts, but also by how naturally it becomes part of daily life in Beijing.

Editor's Note: Denique Daniëls is a multimedia editor for CGTN Digital. This article is part of China in Motion, a recurring column that explores contemporary Chinese life through movement – from running and walking to the design of public space, health culture and community. By observing cities at a human pace, the series captures how ordinary routines shape the experience of life in China.