In recent years, the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area (BDA) has accelerated the construction of a "park city".

The plan for Beijing E-Town riverside parks started with improving the environment of the Liangshui River in 2013.

"The river used to be a stinky ditch, but now birds and flowers have come back," said one resident of Beijing E-Town.

Bathed in the spring sunshine, citizens can walk on both sides of the Liangshui River, the clear water reflecting sparkling waves, with fish partly hidden and partly visible in the swaying water plants.

Sculptures were set up to match an ancient pavilion. The budding jasmine flowers are accompanied by shrubs in spring. The scenery here soothes the soul and clears the mind.

Liangshui River in Beijing E-Town [Photo/kfqgw.beijing.gov.cn]

The Liangshui River in the evening is even more fascinating. When night falls, the riverside lanterns start lighting up, with the river reflecting the lights of high-rise buildings. The colorful lampposts on the guardrails on both sides of the river look like two dazzling ribbons.

All these changes began in 2013.

In that year, the BDA formulated treatment plans for sewage outlets, and adopted measures such as laying sewage interception pipelines and blocking sewage outlets.

Currently, the BDA and upstream areas of the river have completely banned sewage outlets and reduced pollutant discharge into rivers.

With a complete infrastructure for sewage treatment and water recycling plants, the sewage reached the environmental water standard after treatment.

In Liangshui River Park, there are not only high-tech elements such as smart seats, smart trash cans, and smart light poles, but also technological experience content like smart inspections, bird ecological monitoring, and water quality monitoring. [Photo/kfqgw.beijing.gov.cn]

Governance and transformation is the first step to success, and the follow-up protection and maintenance work is even more important.

"We make full use of the 'Beijing River Chief APP' to form a working system in which the street river chief takes the lead in patrolling the river, and the sub-district departments assist the river chief in carrying out the protection of the river," said Li Peng, an employee of a sub-district administrative office.