Meet with Culture | Waterways Renewed: The North Canal and Beijing Municipal Administrative Center

Today we begin our exploration at the Tongzhou Canal Park.

Look at this open lawn — it’s full of life. Some people are strolling, others are picnicking with their families, children are running, dogs are happily playing. By the riverside, people are fishing, and some lie back on the grass to watch the sunset glow. On weekends, music drifts gently across the lawn. It’s such a comfortable place, where nature, leisure, and community come together.

今天我们从通州运河公园开始我们的探访。

你们看，这片开阔的大草坪充满了生活的气息。有人在这里散步，有人和家人野餐，孩子们在奔跑，狗狗在快乐地玩耍。还有人在河边垂钓，有的则躺在草地上欣赏晚霞。周末的时候，草坪上甚至还能飘来悠扬的音乐。

For centuries, the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou has served as a vital artery for transport and trade. Today, the bustling scenes of boats and sails that once filled its waters have given way to tranquil moments shaded by greenery, where citizens stroll at leisure. On the lawns of the Grand Canal Park, host Marina played with her dog, snapped photos for a couple taking wedding pictures, and even witnessed a romantic marriage proposal.

几个世纪以来，京杭大运河一直是漕运与贸易的重要通道。如今，昔日舟楫往来、帆影如织的喧嚣，已沉淀为绿荫掩映、市民漫步的悠然时光。在大运河公园的草坪上，主持人Marina与小狗玩耍，为拍婚纱照的新人按下快门，还见证了一场浪漫的求婚。

This uniquely designed bridge is the Qianhe Xielu Bridge, a landmark backdrop for photos on the lawn. True to its name, it beautifully embodies the theme of the lotus, with its design inspired by lotus leaves.

The elegant white curves divide the water into different sections, creating stunning views. What a wonderful place to pause and reflect on the harmony between natural beauty and urban life.

这座设计独特的桥就是千荷泻露桥，是人们在草坪上拍照的标志性背景。如同它的名字，它美丽地体现了‘荷’的主题，桥的设计灵感来自于荷叶。

优雅的白色曲线将水面分成了不同的部分，呈现出令人惊叹的景观。这是一个多么美妙的地方，很适合停下来，反思自然美景与城市生活的融合。

The Qianhe Xielu Bridge is one of the signature projects of Beijing Municipal Administrative Center. Even its name draws attention. With the theme of the lotus, the bridge uses graceful white curves to create leaf-like edges, naturally dividing its three-tiered platforms for walking, cycling, and viewing. It gives visitors multiple perspectives to admire both the natural scenery and the city skyline. Since its completion, countless residents and tourists have come here to take photos. Its elegant design perfectly blends traditional Chinese cultural symbolism with modern architectural aesthetics.

千荷泻露桥是北京城市副中心的代表性工程之一，光听名字就自带流量。桥身以“荷”作为设计主题，桥身两侧用优美的白色曲线营造出的荷叶边造型，自然地划分出高低起伏的三层景观平台，将步道、自行车道与桥身融为一体，为游客提供了从不同角度欣赏周围自然美景和城市景观的机会。自建成以来，无数市民、游客来此拍照打卡。它优雅的设计完美融合了传统中国文化符号和现代建筑美学。这是一个适合反思自然美景与城市生活的融合的美妙地方。

In recent years, Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has built a large number of distinctive bridges — there are 18 spanning the Grand Canal alone. The canal winds like a ribbon, weaving together ancient and modern landscapes, linking people’s lives and dreams.

近年来，北京城市副中心建设了一大批各具特色的桥梁，仅横跨大运河的桥就达到18座。大运河宛如一条绸带，蜿蜒流淌，串联起古今交融的风景，连起了百姓的生活与梦想。

"Not far from the futuristic Qianhe Xielu Bridge stands a traditional building. What was it used for? Let’s go and find out."

“距离极具现代感——甚至是未来感的千荷泻露桥不远的地方，有一座传统建筑。它是用来做什么的呢？让我们一起去看看。”

This tower was first built in the Ming Dynasty. At that time, it was the ""Grain Inspection Tower"" at the northern end of the Grand Canal. Grain transported here had to be carefully checked — quality, cleanliness, and accurate weight — before it could enter the imperial granaries, with documents issued by officials.

Its name, "Daguang" comes from the Book of Changes, symbolizing fairness and benevolence in governance."

这座楼——大光楼始建于明代，当年是京杭大运河北端的“验粮楼”，也就是说，被运输到这里的粮食会在这里验收，粮食要质量上乘、清洁干净、无掺杂，由官员出具文书，才能通过入库。

As we walk along the North Canal, it’s impossible to ignore its historical significance.

The Grand Canal stretches 1,794 kilometers, linking Beijing and Hangzhou. For centuries, it was a vital artery of trade and transport. The North Canal, as a part of it, runs through the heart of Tongzhou. From the Yuan Dynasty onward, it carried grain and goods northward. Today, the canal has become a park landscape — where the once-busy scenes of boats and sails have turned into tranquil views of citizens strolling under green shade. History lingers in the rippling water, and ancient memories continue in the rhythm of modern life.

当我们沿着北运河行走时，很难忽视这条水道的历史意义。

京杭大运河全长1794公里，连接着北京与杭州，几个世纪以来，它一直是贸易和运输的重要通道。北运河作为大运河的一部分，穿越通州的心脏。从元朝至今，这条水道一直是漕粮和贸易通道。如今，运河成为了公园的景观，昔日舟楫往来、帆影如织的繁忙画面，已化作今日市民漫步、绿荫掩映的悠然风景。历史的余韵在水波间荡漾，古老的记忆在现代生活中延续。

"On the other side of the Qianhe Xielu Bridge, I’ve found a night market. This is Moon River Town, also part of the Canal Park. There seems to be so much to see and try here! Honestly, I don’t know where to start…"

“在千荷泻露桥的对岸，我发现了一个夜市，这里叫做月亮河小镇，也是大运河公园的一部分。这里看起来可玩可逛的真的很多！”

Moon River Town, located within Canal Park, is where historical charm meets modern life. The marketplace offers both creative cultural products and food from across China. It has quickly become one of the must-visit spots for nightlife in eastern Beijing.

月亮河小镇，位于大运河公园内，在这里历史魅力与现代生活完美融合。这里的市集包含文创产品、各地美食，已经成为北京东部体验夜生活的打卡地。

This is only one lively corner of the revitalized Grand Canal. As riverside walkways light up, open-air concerts and art markets come alive, the entire park is turning into a new stage for leisure and culture. People stroll, exercise, and gather here, experiencing the fusion of the ancient canal with the modern city.

Along this ancient waterway, the vision of tomorrow unfolds; the old capital, Beijing, rises anew with the momentum of its riverside renewal. This ancient waterway carries a profound and long-standing history, while great cities and eras serve as riverbeds of happiness, allowing ordinary joys and dreams to flow quietly, eventually merging into an ever-persistent rhythm of life.

这只是大运河畔焕新活力的一角——随着灯光点亮河岸步道，整个运河公园正成为市民休闲生活的新舞台。人们在此漫步、运动、聚会，感受古老运河与现代城市的交融。古老的水道之畔，未来的图景正徐徐展开；古老的北京，正乘着水岸焕新之势，向着未来浩荡启程。古老水脉承载着悠久厚重的历史，伟大的城市与时代亦是承载幸福的河床，让平凡的欢喜与憧憬，静静流淌，终汇成生生不息的脉动。

出品人：王晓辉

Executive Producer: Wang Xiaohui

总监制：薛立胜

Chief Supervisor: Xue Lisheng

总策划：蔚力

Chief Planner: Yu Li

制片：张芃芃

Producer: Zhang Pengpeng

策划：张芃芃 丁素云 曹川川 李颖

Creative Planning: Zhang Pengpeng, Ding Suyun, Cao Chuanchuan, Li Ying

导演：龚小磊

Director: Gong Xiaolei

撰稿：张芃芃

Screenwriter: Zhang Pengpeng

主持人：荣希玛 (Chaima El Moujradi) 劳拉 (Laura Ugalde) 德密柰 (Marina Dech)

Hosts: Chaima El Moujradi, Laura Ugalde, Marina Dech

摄像：李春浩 王恺琦

Cinematography: Li Chunhao, Wang Kaiqi

跟机：王俊胜

Camera Assistant: Wang Junsheng

剪辑：王恺琦 顾钧予 刘泽敖

Editing: Wang Kaiqi, Gu Junyu, Liu Zeao

调色：康凯

Color Grading: Kang Kai

混音：康凯

Sound Mixing: Kang Kai

推广：孟超 李昭 姜壹平 苏向东 丁素云 王雁青 葛蕾 秦金月 张静

Promotion: Meng Chao, Li Zhao, Jiang Yiping, Su Xiangdong, Ding Suyun, Wang Yanqing, Ge Lei, Qin Jinyue, Zhang Jing

节目承制：大音

Produced by: NEWSAYING (Shanghai) Consulting and Planning Co., Ltd.