Heyi Ecological Park in east Baijiao Town, Doumen District has opened for sightseeing, leisure, and fitness for 60,000 residents residing in the vicinity.

The park borders 272 Provincial Road (Baijiao Road) to the west, Qiaohu Road to the south, and West Heyi Road to the east and covers 37,000 sqm (9 acres).

At the entrance is the 4,100-sqm (1-acre) Yuhe Lotus Pond containing 10 varieties of lotus flowers easily seen from a sightseeing bridge. Artificial mist rises from Yunmeng (Cloud & Dream) Island, turning the park into a fairyland.

Strolling along the Guanhe (Lotus-Admiring) Bridge [Photo courtesy WeChat account: meilidoumen]

In addition to lotus flowers, the park has a dozen trees that bloom year-round. These include the pink trumpet (handroanthus impetiginosus), golden trumpet (tabebuia chrysantha), and silk floss.

East-west Yuexin (Heart-Gladdening) Boardwalk, which is 208 m (682 ft) long and 4 m (13 ft) high, presents a commanding view of the park. Other attractions – Sunshine Lawn, Children's Playground, Fitness and Leisure squares, Water & Moon Pavilion, Guanlan (Wave-Admiring) Bridge, and Qingfeng (Refreshing Breeze) Corridor – enliven the stroll.

Ample "smart" parking spaces will be available. Lighting facilities, a book bar, and teahouse also will be added, says Wu Ming, project head at the Municipal Park Administration of Doumen District. 

The park itself has efficiently restored the wetland system and improved the ecological environment. The original site used to be a pond full of mosquitoes, withered grass, and rotten trees, Wu added.

To get there, drive to "时代倾城1期 – Shídài Qīngchéng 1 Qī" – (Phase I of Shidai Qingcheng Residential Community) on West Heyi Road using GPS navigation. Or take Bus 306, 307, 520, 520A, or 603 to "白蕉科技园 – Bái Jiāo Kējì Yuán" – (Baijiao Science & Technology Park) and walk 790 m (864 yd) to the park.