Liangma River is perfect for a stroll but have you cruised down it yet?

This past weekend mom of twin boys Siyu He took full advantage of the beautiful weather and took the whole family on a relaxing cruise down Liangma River. The boys got to take in the fresh air, watch the fish and birds, make some new friends, and enjoy some chill-lax time on their beautiful boat cruise.

Pro Tip: Book about 3-4 days in advance!

The entire trip took around 40 minutes and cost RMB 119 per adult and RMB 60 per child under 120cm for the boat they opted for when booking through Dianping. The boat was well taken care of and the seats were nice big comfy couches. Cheaper options are also available, but the boats you’ll be riding will be smaller and less luxurious. The boat seats 12 people in total, so if you have a big group of friends you can rent a whole boat to yourselves. Otherwise, it’s like going to the movie theatre – you’ll be on there with other families.

Siyu and her family’s boat was booked, but on the day of the trip, one family didn’t show up so it was just them and one other family also with young kids. What an amazing way to make some new friends!

FAQ: No, you don’t get to drive the boat. Each boat will have a professional driver taking you on your cruise. But, they’re more than happy to let you and your kids take the helm for a cool picture.

If you’re proficient enough in Chinese, tickets for the Liangma River boat cruise can be booked on Dianping. However, for those who need a bit of English assistance, May from Show Beijing also offers Liangma River boat cruises for both daytime and nighttime. May’s services come highly recommended amongst expats in Beijing. She offers fantastic customer service froms start to finish and always replies very quickly on WeChat. To get in touch with her, scan the QR code below.

Pro tip: Check with May first. She’s currently offering a 5% discount for her customers. Prices for the cruise change depending on the season. If you get lucky, booking through May can be even cheaper than through Dianping.

So, before Beijing gets too cold for outdoor family fun, pack up some food and take the kids on a boat cruise picnic down Liangma River!

Images: Siyu He

Liangmahe, or Liangma River, has to be one of the more popular waterways in downtown Beijing. Running some 7 miles+ through favorite places such as MOMA residences and Solana Mall, the Liangma River has even been dubbed the “Seine of Beijing” by local newspapers. During the Covid lockdowns, it became the number one hotspot for locals and expats alike, seeing unprecedented crowds walking/cycling along the river, and just hanging around.

Recently in summer, I passed by the river on a sunny afternoon and lo and behold, saw a group of stand-up paddle-boarders, or SUPs as they’re popularly referred to, having a class! Previously I had only known paddle-boarding to be available in Chaoyang Park and outside of the city in the more rural areas. My first thought was, “Is that allowed?” Followed by “Is that water clean?”

After some digging, it turns out that while natural water sources that are used to supply drinking water, such as Miyun Reservoir, prohibit swimming, fishing, kayaking, and other water sports, urban rivers and lakes that are not sources of drinking water are not explicitly governed by any regulations. The Water Department in Beijing does discourage such actions in public waterways in the city, but clearly has taken little action to enforce these words.

As these water channels in the city are used to manage flooding, there is no accounting for the quality of the water. Aside from rainfall and excess water discharge, the water also carries pollutants from ground runoff. Plus, I’ve seen plenty of litter floating on parts of Liangma River.

Yet this doesn’t seem to stop Beijing’s water sports enthusiasts, who can be seen dotting the river from sunrise to sunset, especially in summer. As I witnessed firsthand, there are even classes for kids conducted there. But just how legit are these operations? We can’t say for sure, since they aren’t widely advertised on most platforms like DaZhongDianPing. For lone kayaks and paddle-boarders, security guards have been known to yell at them as they cruise on by, though there doesn’t seem to be any real consequences.

If you’re curious to enjoy Liangma River, why not try a river cruise instead? ShowBeijing is providing discounted tickets to the popular Liangma River Cruise Tour 95. While there are both day and night cruises, it is the night cruise featuring a special lights show under the bridge that most marvel at. Choose from 10 seater luxury boats to a more casual 40-seater water bus, depending on your budget! Scan the QR code below to watch a snippet of what the cruise is like and book your tickets!

Have you participated in any water sports on Liangma River? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

KEEP READING: The Heat Is On! These Water Parks Are Open To Help You Stay Cool This Summer

Images: Uni You, Katie Coy, DaZhongDianPing

Liangma River has been drained, as the first stage of work to convert the whole riverfront into an urban park.

Liangma River has been completely drained for the construction of the new park

The Chaoyang District Water Supply Bureau announced that the “Liangmaqiao International-Style Waterfront” will be completed by the end of the year. The 800,000 square meter park will run from the Fourth to the Second Ring Road and will have four themes: living and leisure, international communication, commercial vitality, and natural ecological river bank.

The city authorities hope to boost tourism, offering a night boat which will take visitors along 1.5 kilometers of the river. There will also be a jogging path along the bank.

The park will contribute to efforts to reduce air pollution in the city, by building new green areas, and will also help in flood control. The river is to be widened under the plans, and wildlife encouraged. “At the foot of the shoreline slope, fish nests will be built with bricks and stones, providing a breeding space for fish and shrimp, and creating a river with habitats and ecology,” according to the announcement.

Liangmaqiao’s proximity to many major embassies, including those of the US, Germany, and France, makes it a popular area for expat restaurants and bars, but businesses along the waterfront had not been informed of the ambitious plans for the park.

“This is the first real information I’ve got,” said Will Yorke, owner of Arrow Factory Brewing. “I asked them why they were fencing off the street, and they said it was for cleaning the river.”

Will Yorke took this photograph of workers on the dried-up river bed

However, he was enthusiastic about the plans.

“We always thought boats would be a great thing on the river. It’s a super tranquil spot in Beijing. When Spring hits fully and we get the first real warmth, a walk down the pathway with the weeping willows green, and blossom out on the trees, is a very relaxing way to get to the Third Ring Road by foot. I am sure they will make it really nice. Beijing needs more things to do like this, and this is a great way for parents to get the strollers out or their kids out and go for a walk.”

However, the authorities might be less keen on one of his suggestions.

“I think they should add alligators,” he joked. “Make jogging a little more exciting. Test the reflexes.”

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Photos: Bill S, Will Yorke