[2025 Beijing ] Travel Guide for Liangma River Cruises (Updated Jul)

Beijing has long been renowned as an ancient capital with millennia of history, where the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace form its foundational image. As China's political center, landmarks like Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, and Chang'an Avenue dominate collective memory. Yet as a cultural hub, its museums, theaters, and art galleries make it a paradise for art lovers. Beneath this political-cultural-historical veneer, Beijing—as a world-class metropolis—boasts equally extraordinary commerce, with the revitalized Liangma River area standing as a prime example in recent years. To discuss Beijing's commerce is to speak of East Third Ring Road, arguably the city's most modern thoroughfare. Stretching north-south, it connects multiple commercial hubs: the CBD at Guomao and Jintai Xizhao (foreign corporate headquarters), the nightlife district around Sanlitun near Hujialou and Tuanjiehu, while its northwestern turn at Liangmaqiao reveals Beijing's most Riverside-Scene-at-Qingming-Festival-esque zone. The painting's two core elements—waterways and commerce—find perfect expression here. The dredged Liangma River flows gracefully, its emerald curves framed by willow trees, mirroring skyscrapers along its banks. Housing Beijing's Third Embassy District, the area pulses with global flair—offering worldwide goods and cuisines that surpass even the Song Dynasty capital's cosmopolitanism. The most enchanting stretch runs east from Liangmaqiao to Solana's Liangma River International Waterfront. South lies the embassy quarter (anchored by U.S. and Japanese missions), where Tokyo-style sushi counters and Texas BBQ joints hide in alleys—foreigners often outnumber locals, with most Chinese being embassy staff. This might be mainland China's most concentrated expat enclave. Northward, the commercial hotel zone centers on Lufthansa Center's Kempinski and Four Seasons hotels—vintage five-stars symbolizing the ancient capital's openness. From Liangmaqiao's docks, boats offer Beijing's most unexpected experience: river cruising. Few among a hundred would believe this possible in arid Beijing. Routes extend as far as Honglingjin Park near East Fourth Ring—pricey, but worthwhile for such novelty.

When the setting sun melts into gold and crimson clouds surge, the entire capital transforms into Monet's palette. The golden roofs of the Forbidden City shimmer with millennia of majesty in the twilight, Shougang Park's rusted blast furnaces don rose-gold armor, and cooking smoke entwines with rosy clouds above hutong rooftops—this is when Beijing becomes a dreamscape on earth. 👍Prime Viewing Spots [One] Poetic Classical Gardens ❶ Summer Palace: The West Causeway of Kunming Lake and Seventeen-Arch Bridge offer perfect shots. As sunset gilds the lake, the bridge's reflection dances with golden afterglow like a living oil painting. Enter through West Gate to avoid crowds. ❷ Beihai Park: The White Dagoba on Qionghua Island glows with antique charm under sunset hues. Five-Dragon Pavilions on north shore provide ideal angles—summer lotuses blush pink against the twilight, creating poetic harmony. ❸ Jingshan Park: From Wanchun Pavilion's summit, the Forbidden City panorama unfolds. Sunset gilds glazed tiles, making vermilion walls and colored clouds collide in striking contrast between modernity and tradition. [Two] Romantic Urban Parks ❶ Olympic Forest Park: Yangshan Hill or north shore of Ao Lake frame perfect shots of the Olympic Tower. Wetlands and skyline merge seamlessly as twilight paints the city with romance. ❷ Yuyuantan Park: The CCTV Tower's reflection shimmers across lakes near the TV Tower area—best during summer/autumn when water levels are high. ❸ Longtan Zhonghu Park: The ferris wheel adds fairytale charm at dusk. Expansive lawns, lush trees, and colorful rides create layered compositions begging for multiple angles. [Three] Grand Countryside Vistas ❶ Miaofeng Mountain: This western peak's sunset platform delivers heart-stopping views over Beijing. Feel nature's grandeur as the entire city basks in golden hour. ❷ Jinhai Lake: Slopes of Bibo Island offer knockout sunset views. Lakeside cafes let you sip espresso while capturing the spectacle. ❸ Miyun Reservoir: Autumn skies stage color symphonies here. September-October may gift you with "burning clouds" and migrating geese—doubling the magic. [Four] Architectural Marvels ❶ New Shougang Bridge: From Gucheng Station overpass, capture fiery reflections blending industrial relics with futuristic vibes. ❷ China Zun Observatory: At 528m, watch the city melt into golden rivers of traffic beneath stained-glass skies. ❸ Thousand Lotus Bridge: This Tongzhou landmark's lawns go viral when sunset transforms modern structures into impressionist paintings—wear white dresses for geometric harmony. 🗓 Itinerary: [DoubleHearts] Day 1: Great Wall Ablaze 14:00 Check-in at Nalan Courtyard→17:00 Honglu Temple's cliffside pavilion for "Wall-swallowing-sun" shots→20:00 Stargazing on villa lawns. [DoubleHearts] Day 2: Urban Mirrors 16:00 Taikoo Li's reflective pools→18:30 Tongzhou Canal shipwrecks→20:30 Sheraton Lounge nightscapes. [DoubleHearts] Day 3: Hutong Glow 17:00 Caochang Hutong chimney silhouettes→19:00 Drum Tower rooftop BBQ→21:00 DDC jazz jams. ❤ Twilight Encores: [One] Nighttime Heritage ① Liangma River: Stroll past diamond-like LED reflections, then duck into Blue Harbor cafes. ② Xihai Wetland: Avoid Houhai crowds—watch lotus ponds gilded by residual glow at Guo Shoujing Memorial's hilltop. [Two] Hutong Nightlife ① DDC Jazz Club: Century-old courtyard in Shanlao Hutong vibrates with live piano and craft beers at 21:00. ② Peiping Machine: Sip wheat ale amid factory-chic decor, munching Indonesian shrimp chips as velvet skies deepen. 🌟 Pro Photography Tips: [One] Smartphones: Enable HDR for richer colors. Use telephoto to compress perspectives. Frame with foreground elements (branches/architecture). Adjust exposure manually. [Two] DSLRs: 70-200mm lenses intensify spatial drama. Set WB to "daylight." Tripod-mounted long exposures capture cloud trails. Apply rule-of-thirds composition. Use leading lines (bridges/roads). Add human silhouettes or street snacks for narrative. 🍽 Dining with Views: [One] Sky-High Feasts ① Mandarin Grill: Wednesday New Orleans nights on Forbidden City-facing terrace (￥1088/person includes flaming bananas). ② The View 4109: 70th-floor French cuisine with Chang'an Avenue's golden traffic rivers below. [Two] Local Flavors ① Drum Tower BBQ: Third-floor deck eyes-level with historic rooftops, pairing skewers with "Drum Tower" cocktails. ② Saffron: Film-famous Spanish paella spot—sip sangria on balconies overlooking Yonghegong's flying eaves. 📝 Essentials: ❶ Check sunset times: Summer after 19:00, spring/autumn ~18:00. Arrive 1hr early. ❷ Gear: DSLRs need wide/tele lenses. Bring tripods/power banks for timelapses. ❸ Safety: Avoid mountain trails alone. Rooftop shooters—watch edges and slippery surfaces.

This year, May Day high-speed rail tickets are especially hard to get. If you're staying in Beijing, avoid the crowds and explore one of the city's hidden gems: Liangma River. 🌿Liangma River is beautiful and charming in the bright spring sunshine. It's rare to find such a quiet ecological green corridor in the bustling East Third Ring Road. Walking east along the river, you can reach the Solana shopping area. 🍜Dining: There are many restaurants along the way, including German, Japanese, Korean, and Lebanese cuisine, giving it an international vibe. If you go east to Good Luck Street or Solana, there are even more places to eat! 📍Transportation: Take Metro Line 10 to Liangmaqiao Station

The charm of Liangma River lies in its blend of urban vibrancy and poetic serenity. Whether you take a daytime stroll or enjoy a nighttime boat ride, you can experience the tender side of Beijing, this ancient city. Classic Night Cruise (Blue Harbor Pier → Yansha Pier) - Highlights: A 40-minute boat journey featuring the 3D light show at the Platinum Palace Lock and the Chaoyang Park light belt. Opt for the open-top deck to enjoy the interplay of naked-eye 3D effects and water reflections. - Tips: Night cruise tickets are priced at 90 RMB per person. It’s recommended to book online one day in advance. Cruises operate after 6:00 PM and can extend to 9:00 PM during summer. Riverside Walk (Blue Harbor → Chaoyang Park) - Route: Start from the European-style architecture of Blue Harbor, walk along the river to Friendship Bridge, Guanlan Bridge, and Good Luck Bridge. Along the way, check out the "Van Gogh Starry Night" art installation and the glowing silk light belt at Maijia Bridge. - Hidden Activities: Relax at the outdoor cafés in Liangma Harbor or try paddleboarding or kayaking by the riverside (approximately 298 RMB/hour). Must-See 24 Bridges - Friendship Bridge: The starting point of navigation, its steel arch design symbolizes Beijing’s connection to the world. - Good Luck Bridge: At night, its lights resemble a galaxy, and the "Firefly Flow" light installation beneath is perfect for photos. - Guanlan Bridge: Features an innovative "same arc, different center" structure, allowing two-way navigation underneath. Seasonal Highlights - Spring: From March to April, join the "Spring Awakening Festival" with markets, e-sports events, and riverside music performances. - Summer: Bars along the river light up at night. Don’t miss the "Liangma Courtyard" for a day-to-night café and bar experience. - Autumn and Winter: The riverside ginkgo avenue turns golden, and Chaoyang Park offers ice skating and birdwatching. --- Nearby Amenities - Dining: Blue Harbor offers a variety of international cuisines. Recommended options include PAKPAK Thai Cuisine and Wang’s Blacksmith Steakhouse. - Transportation: Take Metro Line 14 to Zaoying Station for direct access to Blue Harbor Pier. For drivers, parking is available at Chaoyang Park West Gate 4. --- 💡 Practical Tips - Outfit: Wear light-colored clothing for better photos during night tours, and bring a light jacket to stay warm. - Safety: Cruises may be canceled in strong winds. Check the weather forecast before heading out. - Accessibility: Elevators are available under the bridges, making it convenient for seniors and children to navigate.

#nightlife #100WaysOfTravel #localfinds In Beijing, the nightlife experience you can't miss is to take a boat trip along Liangma River at night. Board a boat from Blue Harbor Wharf, visit Yansha Wharf, and connect the Shell Theater, Liangma River Lock, Destiny Community Square and other important scenic spots during the trip. Along the way, you can see the scenery of the Liangma River international style waterfront, and you can smell the fire smoke on both sides of the river... In the boat, watch the light and shadow exhibition of the Platinum Palace Gate and the light show on both sides of the riverbank. The lights on the shore and the reflection in the river reflect each other, changing different colors. Experience the intersection of natural beauty and modern technology，looking up that the past and present life of the Liangma River and the profound heritage of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt are all presented in front of you... At night in the Liangma River, the light and water are mixed, and the scenery is romantic and charming. Look at the brightness of the starry sky reflected on the water under the Bridge of Good Luck, like a flowing picture scroll under Van Gogo's pen, shining brightly, like a dream, romantic all the way, surprise all the way...

Take the subway to Phoenix Center to see the exhibition and appreciate the unique architecture. The nearby Liangma River is worth a visit and is directly connected to the subway station. Two different feelings during the day and at night, it is worth a visit~ Take a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city center alleys. The atmosphere here is great and the food is of good quality. You can take different round-trip or one-way routes at 6:30/8:30 pm. Highly recommended! #nightviewplace #Beijingattractions #TaiwaneseinBeijing

📍Attraction address: Along the Liangma River, Chaoyang District, Beijing 🚗Access to attraction: Bus and subway to Liangmaqiao Station 👍️Must-visit spots: Liangma River has a long history. In the past, the scenery was picturesque with lush aquatic plants, and the royal family set up the Imperial Horse Park here. Whenever horses were needed, the eunuchs of the Imperial Horse Park would wash and air the horses here, and over time, it came to be known as Liangma (airing horses) River. When the lights of Liangma River are lit, it suddenly feels like being in a modern city, and the light and shadow of the buildings near the water sketch out a different kind of worldly life. Walking on the riverside corridor, amidst the shimmering waves, one sees a heaven on earth. 🎟️Ticket information: Free 💗Other tips:

So happy that I could find this beautiful spot, called Liangma River. Also famous with its Liangma Bridge. I saw some kids and their parents were playing and taking photos around this area. The good thing is, no need entrance fee to enjoy this beautiful scene. Just come and see! 😊 📍 Liangma River Chaoyang District, Beijing. How to get here: ✨ By Beijing city bus number 671 stop at Liangmaqiao bus stop. ✨ By Beijing subway line 10, stop at Liangmaqiao station, then take exit C. #chinatrip

I came to Beijing on a business trip and visited a few attractions by the way~

🌉I used to envy those cities with winding rivers, whether it's the romantic beauty of the Seine or the misty rain of the Qinhuai River, but little did I know that our Liangma River also has its own unique charm that is no less impressive. 🌌This route that runs bidirectionally between the Yansha and Solana docks, with both sides featuring Beijing's most fashionable landmarks, such as Solana, Chaoyang Park, Yansha Shopping Mall... On the boat, you can appreciate the beauty of this city from a brand new perspective. The lights on both sides of the river at night, the interplay of light and shadow on the bridges, create an immersive forest of light and shadow. A gentle breeze ripples the water, scattering like stars across the river, the sparkling waves are like Van Gogh's flowing paintings, fulfilling everyone's fantasies about the starry sky. 🚤Don't miss the interesting experience of 'passing through the lock' at the Platinum Palace lock, with a 3-meter water level difference between the front and back trips. During the 15-minute wait in the lock chamber, you can watch a super exciting 3D holographic animation light show that tells the story of the past and present of the Liangma River and the profound cultural heritage of the Grand Canal. 🌿Spring is warm, flowers are blooming, and the best season in the capital is about to arrive. It's time to take a boat on the river and experience the pleasant night with 'green willows and flat river water, hearing the song on the river'. 📍Tips Spring operating hours: 15:00-18:00 18:30-22:00 Tickets purchased before March 31 can enjoy the Spring Festival discount: Day cruise single ticket 38 yuan; Night cruise single ticket 76 yuan Night cruise double ticket 125 yuan; Night cruise four-person ticket 208 yuan The Spring Festival discount ticket is valid from March 17 to April 15, no reservation required.

Blue Harbor, a fashionable and trendy place in Beijing, has a Liangma River cruise with beautiful night views along the way. This time we took a boat to the sluice, where there was an extremely wonderful 3D holographic animation light and shadow appreciation. My friend’s children kept saying "wow"... everyone was immersed in it. The sluice is below the sign "Liangmahe Port". It was used to discharge floodwaters from Liangmahe River in the past. Now it has been transformed into a wonderful boat tour show with 3D holographic display. We boarded the ship at Blue Harbor Port and disembarked at Yansha Port one way. Many boats returned before the sluice gate. I really think this show at the sluice gate must be seen! Must watch! Must watch! The scenery along the way is also beautiful. Along the coast are the embassy area and shopping mall area. Various high-end restaurants are scattered along the river. The night lights are charming. Crossing various bridges, especially under the Good Luck Bridge, it is like a fairy tale world. Tips Spring operating hours: [Japan Airlines] 15:00-18:00 [Night flight] 18:30-22:00 Purchase tickets before March 31 to enjoy Spring Festival special tickets: Day tour single ticket 38 yuan Night tour single ticket 76 yuan Night tour ticket for two people: 125 yuan Night tour ticket for four people 208 yuan The Spring Festival special tickets are valid from March 17 to April 15, and no reservation is required.

I discovered this waterfall landscape in Liangma River Park. Beijing's peach blossoms have burst into bloom overnight! Against the backdrop of the babbling water is the vibrant spirit of spring! Flower viewing information: The 200-meter-long stretch of peach blossoms along the riverbank has started to bloom one after another, with the blooming progress at 60%. If you're nearby, you can take photos over the weekend; the riverside peach blossoms are also very photogenic! Liangma River Park, beside the river channel

| Stroll through the market, and marvel at the charming night view of Liangma River!. As the weather warms up, you certainly don't want to miss the night view of Liangma River! This weekend, the 2024 Liangma River Awakening Spring Launch and Waterfront Guochao Culture Festival is underway! There's a lively Guochao market by the beautiful Liangma River, striking Zigong lanterns, and a limited-time return of a spectacular light show, the Beijing debut of the 600-year-old Wangmantian Village's intangible heritage fish lanterns... There are plenty of activities. On the lake of Chaoyang Park, there are also waterborne Peking operas and performances of traditional Chinese instruments brought by the China Conservatory of Music, where you can experience the charm of traditional cultural arts! —————— ▪️ Waterfront Guochao Culture Festival Event time: March 15th - March 17th 13:00-20:00 Brand exhibition address: Next to the southeast exit of Liangmaqiao subway station C, East Third Ring North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Guochao market address: In front of Kempinski Hotel Plaza, No. 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing ▪️ Liangma River International Style Waterfront Cruise Operation time: Starting from March 17th, day cruise 15:00-18:00, night cruise 18:30-22:00 (the last cruise departs at 21:30) Cruise route: Blue Harbor Wharf —— Platinum Palace Lock —— Blue Harbor Wharf ———— 🚇 Public transportation: Subway Line 10 Liangmaqiao Station Exit C (Yansha Wharf) Subway Line 14 Zaoying Station Exit A (Blue Harbor Wharf)

From Liangma River to Blue Harbor, I have to say that Chaoyang International Light Festival is really amazing There are two light show check-in spots at Liangma River: 1⃣️There is a 3D light show on the exterior wall of Kempinski at the Eros Square on Liangma River 2⃣️Light show on the exterior wall of the dock at Liangma River East Square In addition, there is a giant "unicorn 🦄️" near the Liangma River Pier. Walk along the Liangma River to the Blue Harbor Lets Burger, where there is artificial snow.