Beijing's largest park to open next week

The second phase of Beijing's Wenyu River Park will open Sept. 29 with free admission and no reservation requirements, making it the city's largest publicly accessible park.

The park spans three districts — Chaoyang, Shunyi and Changping — covering an area nearly three times larger than Olympic Forest Park. The site features mountains, water, forests and wetlands. Li Wenyu, head of the Beijing Wenyu River Park Coordination Group Office, said the park will serve as a "backyard garden for tens of millions of residents."

New additions include a rose garden featuring more than 100 Chinese rose varieties and the "Linxi Butterfly Dance" waterside area with streams and educational facilities. Each district has a distinct focus: Chaoyang emphasizes urban integration, Changping highlights smart technology and Shunyi showcases cultural heritage.

The park doubles as critical urban infrastructure, serving as Beijing's largest flood control facility with a capacity for 12 million cubic meters of water during heavy rains. Officials designed the park as a "mega-sponge" for northeastern Beijing, using recycled water systems that conserve 4 million cubic meters annually while supplying clean water to downstream communities.

The massive park includes more than 100 entrances. Luan Ming, manager of Beijing Wenyu River Construction and Management Co., said second-phase amenities include a 730-seat outdoor tennis stadium, more than 30 tennis courts and expansive lawns for concerts, markets and public events. An equestrian center is also planned.