In 2021, Tourists Can Cruise 40 Kilometers of the North Canal Grand Canal in the Sub-Center
In 2021, the 40-kilometer river channel segment of the North Canal Urban Development Zone will be fully navigable. The total project investment is approximately 190 million yuan.
The North Canal (Tongzhou section) Comprehensive Renovation Project starts from Gutai Wharf and ends at the boundary of Beijing, with a total length of 40.181 kilometers. It is a flood control project for the Beijing Central Urban Development Zone, with a total investment of approximately 190 million yuan (excluding investment in land acquisition and demolition), and one of the 24 key projects in Beijing.
In October 2019, 11.4 kilometers of the Tongzhou urban section of the North Canal (from Gutai Wharf to Gantang Wharf) were realized for tourist navigation. The lush green trees and forests along the riverbanks, coupled with the flocks of waterbirds, left a deep impression on visitors. The navigation opened both short and long routes, and there were 4 piers: the Canal Culture Square Pier, the Olympic Park Pier, the Grain Shipping Pier, and the Big Canal Forest Park Willow Shade Pier. The short route takes about 80 minutes to return, passing through the Grain Shipping Pier and Willow Shade Pier; the long route takes about 2 hours to return, passing through Seven-hole Bridge and Ecological Bird Island; the night cruise takes about 80 minutes to return, passing through East Gate Bridge and North Canal Bridge. Tongzhou District has comprehensively upgraded the landscape lighting and greening landscape along the canal. At the same time, there is an interpreter on each cruise ship, explaining the surrounding scenery and the stories of the canal.
This year, the main focus of the comprehensive renovation project is the downstream section from Gantang Wharf to the junction with Hebei Province, which is about 20 kilometers.
Next year, the 40-kilometer river channel segment of the North Canal Urban Development Zone will be fully navigable. The iconic Big Canal will become a new tourist and leisure destination for citizens.
In 2021, the section from Gantang Wharf to Yangwao Wharf will be built as a 'Green Pathway Valley' and 'Fragrant Blossom Gallery'Volume, scenic areaDistance from the city boundary
Yangwao Wharf, which is the endpoint of the navigation section in 2021, has a river width of 140 meters, with blue water extending upstream and downstream, complementing the tree belt on both sides, creating a magnificent and imposing appearance. There are many gray and white small spots on the water surface. 'Gray is the duck, white is the egret and seagull.' Mr. Wang Yunhai, Deputy Director of Yangwao Wharf Management Office, introduced that on a good weather day, there can be hundreds of ducks on the canal, and more birds in the autumn migratory season. 'Cod, perch, clams, and mud snails' are many. Mr. Wang said that the birds are attracted by the fish, and when the water level decreases, they can always see the birds pecking fish from the river.
In the planned navigation section from Gantang Wharf to Yangwao Wharf, such natural charm can be seen everywhere. The newly built Gantang Lock and Yulin Zhuang Lock project will create two scenic areas, namely 'Green Pathway Valley' and 'Fragrant Blossom Gallery'. 'Green Pathway Valley' will utilize Yulin Zhuang Lock and Yangwao Wharf to build a wetland park integrating flood control, water quality purification, and ecological landscape functions. 'Fragrant Blossom Gallery' will drive the development of a vast area of surrounding forests through the construction of Fragrant Blossom Park, forming a graceful and elegant landscape.
The canal will also be built with slow lanes, rest areas, scenic spots, and leisure entertainment areas. Utilizing the existing canal bank road and River Patrol Road, a slow-moving system integrating cycling, walking, and other functions will be created, allowing tourists to stop and enjoy the scenery.
The Gantang Lock Construction Project will build 1 lock, excavate and dredge 1.2 kilometers of waterways, and simultaneously build management houses and ancillary facilities.
The Yulin Zhuang Lock Construction Project will build 1 lock, excavate and dredge 0.8 kilometers of waterways, and simultaneously build management houses and ancillary facilities.
Gantang and Yulin Zhuang Locks are necessary engineering facilities to cut through the canal navigation breakwater and achieve the full navigation of the Tongzhou section of the North Canal, which is of great significance for ensuring navigation in June 2021.
The navigation project is part of the North Canal (Tongzhou section) Comprehensive Renovation Project.
The entire comprehensive renovation is expected to be completed in 2022.The North Canal (Tongzhou section) will eventually form an ecosystem that can self-repair, and the water quality of the canal will be effectively purified, gradually forming a river ecosystem of 'smooth drainage, natural shoreline, clear water and green banks, and harmonious interaction between humans and nature.'
