Two water sports centers on the North Moat and Zhuanhe River recently opened to the public. Along these distinctly Beijing-style waterways, visitors can safely enjoy water activities, such as paddleboarding and kayaking, while taking photos with the historic arrow towers and lush woodland in the background. Visitors may also bring their own water sports equipment. Storage services will also soon be available. This autumn, a water market and smart sightseeing boats will also make their debut on the North Moat.

The North Moat's starting point is located about 200 meters east of Deshengmen. The route runs from Deshengmen to Andingmen and allows a round-trip navigation. The waterway has a gentle current. Paddling westward means going against the current and therefore requires more physical effort, while heading east allows visitors to drift along easily with the flow.

The Zhuanhe River's starting point is located 200 meters east of Houhu Sluice near the Beijing Exhibition Center. The route extends from the east side of the sluice to 100 Lianhui Road in Haidian District.

The length of both waterways is approximately 2 kilometers, with four piers open for service, where visitors can start their trip and return their equipment. Paddling fun doesn't stop at night, as visitors can also choose boats with lights. The current service hours are from 10:00 to 21:00.

The two newly opened areas offer distinct views and ambiances, bringing different experiences for those who love water sports. On the North Moat, visitors can see Deshengmen Arrow Tower, with the Drum Tower and Yonghe Temple visible in the distance. City walls, ancient buildings, pedestrian bridges and overpasses, ancient trees, and wildflowers come together to create a unique blend of traditional charm exclusive to Beijing and a modern, trendy atmosphere. Upstream on the Zhuanhe River, lush trees and vegetation create a tranquil green wonderland, making almost every view photo-worthy.

In addition to paddleboarding and kayaking, a series of waterfront activities will be launched in September. During this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the North Moat will host the Imperial City Paddleboarding Festival (皇城根桨板大会), where visitors can paddle upstream to Deshengmen Arrow Tower before easily drifting back downstream toward Andingmen with the current. In September, a water market will be held around Gulou Street and Yonghe Temple, with photo spots to be set up along the waterfront, allowing visitors to enjoy the market atmosphere both on the water and along the banks.

During the National Day holiday (from October 1 to 7), AI-powered smart sightseeing boats will be operating along the section from Deshengmen to Dongzhimen. Terraces along the North Moat will also be upgraded into relaxing recreational spaces, providing visitors with places to rest and enjoy the scenery. Visitors can rent paddleboards and kayaks at its two starting points or bring their own equipment.

Safety Tips

• Visitors must wear life jackets before beginning water activities and are prohibited from drinking alcohol before and throughout the activities.

• Stay away from waterways if extreme weather conditions occur.

• Pay close attention to weather alerts. In the event of rainfall or extreme weather conditions, local water authorities will immediately suspend water activities.

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(Source: The Beijing News)