Visitors to the "Two Parks and One River" area (encompassing Shougang Park, the Beijing Garden Expo Park, and the Yongding River) can find something new during this year's China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). On September 7, Phase II of Yong Ding He Ji (永定河集, also known as "Yongding River Market") officially opened, launching nine new commercial units. Spread along the riverbank south of the Winter Olympics Rings, these commercial spaces house a diverse array of businesses, covering catering services by AI-powered robots, innovative traditional Beijing hotpot, premium coffee, boutique art shops, and outdoor products. Together with Phase I, which opened in September 2025, they form a vibrant 1.6-kilometer-long stretch of waterfront along the Shougang section of the Yongding River.
At the same time, several sightseeing options along the Yongding River were recently launched. A 5.6-kilometer sightseeing shuttle route now runs from Yong Ding He Ji to the ferry terminal of the Yongding River Leisure Forest Park (永定河休闲森林公园), with eight stops set at the following locations: Yong Ding He Ji, the City Balcony (城市阳台), the Riverside Sports Zone (河畔球场), the Glacier Square (冰川广场), Lianshi Square (莲石广场), the West Gate of the Yongding River Leisure Forest Park (永森西门), the Fantasy Forest (奇幻森林) and the Ferry Terminal (轮渡码头).
A special sightseeing train, combining a strong retro-industrial aesthetic with a roomy interior and a comfortable riding experience, is one of the highlights of the Yongding River Leisure Forest Park. The locomotive adopts a vintage all-black design, complemented by customized red carriages that are spacious. The 2.4-kilometer route connects the park’s signature waterfront attractions with its five stations: Bell Tower (钟楼), Wetland (湿地), Crabapple Valley (海棠谷), Cultural Square (文化广场) and Cherry Orchard (樱桃园).
At the train route's terminus, a newly launched ferry service connects the Yongding River Leisure Forest Park with the Beijing Garden Expo Park, creating an innovative sightseeing model that combines land-based tours with water-based experiences.
A new café has also opened in the dock area of the Yongding River Leisure Forest Park, where visitors can sip coffee, unwind on the lawn, and soak in the views across the river.
The "Two Parks and One River" area is a vital strategic space in western Beijing, integrating natural landscapes with urban development. It is also a key component of the Western Hills-Yongding River Cultural Belt. Spanning a 22‑kilometer stretch of the Yongding River (the section from Junzhuang to Wanping Lake), this area facilitates coordinated development across a total area of 92.5 square kilometers in Shijingshan, Mentougou, and Fengtai districts.
(Source: Beijing Daily)