The walk down the bike-strewn path from my apartment to Chaoyang Park via Solana over the past six months has not been a particularly scenic one. Ever since the massive renovations of Liangma River were announced in February of last year and began shortly thereafter, a range of new but not exactly tourist-luring features descended on the neighborhood. These have included but are not limited to mounds of construction debris, ragged and bent astroturfed metal walls, and the occasional but shudder-inducing waft of weeks upon weeks of stale worker piss.

The development runs from just west of Xingdong Lu up to the East Fourth Ring Road. Click through for Google Maps.

Luckily these quirks are merely the temporary byproducts of men hard at work and as the overhaul nears completion, running the length of the river from Xindong Lu up to the East Fourth Ring Road, the unsavory sights and smells are gradually parting to reveal what’s shaping up to be one of Beijing’s lushest linear ecological spaces.

You can’t help but wonder what weird and wonderful things were found at the bottom of the river

When the plan to dredge the river and develop 9.3km of its banks was first announced close to 15 months ago – a means to help reduce air pollution and manage flooding – the government also billed it as a green, tourist-friendly, leisure hub. Judging by what has opened so far, we’re inclined to agree, though let’s hope the official name, “Liangma River International Waterfront Area” doesn’t stick, lest we tempt destroying the quaint charm of its paved paths, weeping willows, and swimming retirees.

We should add that there doesn’t appear to be a dedicated running track along the river, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem given the generous width of most of the paths.

Hopping on our bike on a photography tour earlier this week, we tracked the river from its northeast corner down to the west. Here’s what we found.

While the Solana side is almost complete, the Chaoyang Park portion looks to be done by year’s end.

A bridge further to the west allows apartments on the north bank to cross directly into Solana

Finishing touches are still being added to the portions north of Solana’s west gate

And just across the road, workers continue plugging away behind the green fences

The river reopens just west of Maizidian Jie

While hosepipes still line the ground, this portion is almost complete and particularly lush

Looking east up towards Solana

The north bank sits against the backends of Liangmaqiao Lu’s hotels and provides plenty of free space.

As well as a little shade courtesy of a netted sculpture

Swimmers are already enjoying the relatively clean waters

So too are the cyclists. Let’s hope Beijing’s waimai army doesn’t join in.

A view from the south to north bank, still closed

Steps down to the river allow swimmers easy access

Finally, crossing Xindong Lu, construction is still ongoing and seems like it will be the last portion to complete

Despite the mess…

…The local fishermen seem unperturbed

KEEP READING: Exploring Shunyi’s New Dongjiao Wetland Park

This article originally appeared on our sister site, theBeijinger

Images: Tom Arnstein, Google Maps, Bill S.

We’re happy to report that another of Beijing’s cultural sites is once again open to the public: the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). We’re doubly happy to report that they’re also allowing foreigners, unlike the National Museum of China and the Capital Museum, both of which reopened just prior to May Day holiday, but due to an oversight with the reservation systems only allowed Chinese nationals to make reservations.

The Dongsi-adjacent museum returns to its regular hours – 9am-5pm (4pm last entry), Tuesday through Sunday – but with an additional hour of closure between 1-2pm for sterilization. They will also observe the usual restrictions on the number of daily visitors and thus require booking ahead via their online registration system for either morning (9am-midday; 300 slots) or afternoon (2-4pm; 200 slots). You will also need to present your valid ID and health kit app upon entry and wear a mask at all times. Otherwise, it’s completely free.

Last year, the museum hosted works by famed French photographer Bruno Barbey, former global chairman of Magnum Photos

Despite its programming occasionally being hijacked for more nationalistic purposes, NAMOC remains one of the best state-run museums in the country. Its bimonthly rotating exhibitions usually highlight masters in the Chinese cannon while its permanent collections focus on Chinese traditional and folk arts (including kites, toys, and puppets), as well as the occasional foreign artist. For more info about the museum’s current exhibitions, click here.

NAMOC is big, so we don’t recommend trying to see the whole thing in one day, especially if you are with very small children, but as it’s free you can take it in bite-sized chunks, and come back as often as you like. Engage older children by asking them to describe the feelings and colors that they spot in various artworks, and play color bingo with little ones: asking them to find 5 artworks with blue in them, 5 with red, and so on. Once you’re all done, you can even cap it all off with a family meal at Jing-A Taproom in the nearby Longfusu complex.

Currently, slots remain through this week but availability over the weekend is already filling up fast. For details on how to register and book (in Chinese), visit NAMOC’s official website here.

KEEP READING: Forbidden City, Nanluogu Xiang, and Other Major Attractions Reopen

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger

Images: CGTN, NAMOC, China Daily

Have the huge, stinky trash bins in your compound been replaced with neatly ordered and color-coded wheelie bins? Are you suddenly being surveilled as you take the trash out, or interrogated as to why you are putting soft plastic in with food scraps, and dead batteries? Fear not, because city-wide recycling reforms have well and truly arrived in the capital. While Haidian District officially began the rollout on May 1, we’ve noticed compounds all over the city are already enforcing the new rules.

Once completely rolled out, it will be up to households to divide their trash into four categories (or risk incurring a fine):

1. Kitchen waste: Perishable garbage generated in the household, such as organic refuse, meat and bones, and leftovers, etc.
2. Recyclables: Items that are no longer usable but can be reused after processing after recycling, such as waste paper, plastics, glass, metal, electronic waste, fabrics, etc.
3. Hazardous waste: Toxic and hazardous household substances, such as batteries, lightbulbs, paint and solvents, sanitary products, disinfectants, medicines, and camera film, etc.
4. Other waste: Household garbage that does not easily fall into the three categories above or is difficult to identify.

In addition, large waste products such as furniture and household appliances should be deposited at a designated drop-off location. Construction waste generated during renovations etc. should also be separated and deposited at an area to be specified by the local government, with the individual to bear any processing costs.

If that all sounds overwhelming, then you’ll be happy to hear that a few enterprising developers have already jumped on the opportunity to make our lives that little bit easier. One such mini-program is Beijing Trash Classification Reference (WeChat ID: 北京市垃圾分类宝典) which tells you how to correctly dispose of any item that you query. While lacking an English option, the app is easy enough to navigate for non-Chinese speakers thanks to its reliance on icons, and this also makes it a great learning tool for children. After all, to make the transition from ‘chuck it out and forget it’ to a conscientious trash shorting system, we will have to marshall the resources of the whole family! And what a better way to continue the conversation with your kids about the importance of sustainable choices and recycling.

Simply search 北京市垃圾分类宝典 in WeChat to find the mini-app.

As well as options to search by item name and voice search, the most useful function for foreigners is the nifty option to search by picture. Simply click 识别照片 and take a picture of the item you want to recycle. The program should recognize it and provide the appropriate classification.

Alternatively, kids can practice their hanzi and type in the name of the item they wish to dispose of.

If nothing else, the app makes for a fun, low-rent Chinese dictionary that you can point at objects and retrieve the Chinese characters for. Go on, test yourself.

KEEP READING: How to Talk About Recycling in Mandarin

This article originally appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger

Images: Jasmin Sessler (via Unsplash), Beijing Trash Classification Reference

As the crowds rush outside this time of year to take endless selfies with cherry blossoms and tulips, it may be that we neglect to take in another, lesser-appreciated site of Beijing spring: the city’s lively migrating bird population. Just as the capital’s parks are awash with endless varieties of pink, orange, and yellow flowers, there’s a multitude of wildlife up above to enjoy, if you know where to look.

We hit up the one-man ornithologist behind Birding Beijing, Terry Townshend, to walk us through which birds are gracing Beijing’s skies at the moment as well as where you can get a glimpse.

So grab the family and make your way around Beijing’s parks. Not only will it be fun, but you’ll learn a bit about our precious ecosystem in the process!

Beijing swift (Apus apus pekinensis, 普通楼燕 běijīng yǔyàn)

The Beijing swift has been associated with the capital since it moved in to make its nests in the original city walls in the 1400s. It spends almost all of its life in the air, eating, drinking, and sleeping on the wing, only landing to lay its eggs and feed its young. An incredible traveler, this bird will leave the capital in late July and spend the northern winter in southern Africa before returning the following April, and during that time it will probably remain airborne for nine months!

When? Mid-April until July.
Where? Tiananmen Square, Yonghegong, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park.

Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus, 四声杜鹃 sì shēng dùjuān)

Well known for its four-note song “one more bottle,” this secretive bird arrives in mid-May and sings incessantly, sometimes at night, until departing for South Asia in July or August. In typical cuckoo fashion, it does not make its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and leaves the ‘foster parents’ to raise its young. A favorite host is the resident azure-winged magpie.

When? Mid-May until September.
Where? Any urban park or large garden with mature trees. Often sings at night.

White wagtail (Motacilla alba, 白鹡鸰 bái jí líng)

This charismatic bird is often seen running along the ground, wagging its tail furiously as it catches insects. Often associated with water, it is a summer visitor to the capital and has a sparrow-like “chirp” call.

When? Late March and April until September or October.
Where? Anywhere with water, such as park lakes and rivers.

Yellow bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis, 黄苇鳽 huángwěijiān)

The size of a small heron, this secretive bird arrives in late May when its favorite habitat – reedbeds – have grown high enough for them to hide. Often seen perched low down in reeds waiting patiently for an unsuspecting fish to swim too close. Also seen flying low over reeds when commuting from its nest to feeding grounds.

When? Late May to September.
Where? Olympic Forest Park, Agricultural Exhibition Center Park.

Red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus, 红胁蓝尾鸲 hóng xié lán wěi qú)

The size of a European robin, this attractive bird is a migrant in Beijing, passing through in April and again in September and October, on its way to and from breeding grounds in Siberia. The males (above left) and females are often seen perching low down in trees and scrubs with regular forays to the ground to catch insects, wagging their tails downwards.

When? April and again in September and October.
Where? Any park or large garden or even residential compounds.

Light-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis, 白头鹎 báitóu bēi)

A common resident in Beijing in urban areas, but most obvious in spring when it sings and calls frequently. You can usually find the bulbul perched high in trees to feed on fruit, insects, or even nectar from blossoming flowers. The size of a small thrush.

When? All year but especially prominent in March and April.
Where? Any park, garden, or area with shrubs and trees.

Oriental scops owl (Otus sunia, 红角鸮 hóng jué xiāo)

Owls migrate? Yes, this tiny owl arrives in Beijing in mid-April and a few pairs stay to breed in the larger parks and university campuses. Listen for its call at dusk and dawn and, if you are lucky, maybe you can spot one roosting during the day.

When? Mid-April to September.
Where? University campuses or larger parks such as Yuanmingyuan or Summer Palace.

Daurian redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus, 北红尾鸲 běi hóng wěi qú)

The daurian redstart is a summer visitor that breeds in the hills and mountains around Beijing. They can be seen in parks and gardens in spring and autumn as they make their way to and from their breeding grounds. The male (above left) and female look different but behave in the same way – often perching low in a tree or bush and bouncing down to the ground to collect insects, quivering their tails.

When? April to October, occasionally in winter, too.
Where? Parks, gardens and, in summer, the hills and mountains around Beijing.

You can read more about Beijing’s vast and varied birdlife via Birding Beijing’s website or Twitter feed.

This article originally appeared on our sister site the Beijinger.

Photos: courtesy of Birding Beijing