Changchun City in northeast China's Jilin Province has further renovated and upgraded the waterfront greenway along the middle section of the Yitong River, to consolidate its ecological restoration achievements and improve people's livelihood.
The renovation project of the 55-kilometer greenway has recently completed, providing a good choice for residents to relax and get close to nature. Many cycling lovers come to ride on the greenway, along which the lawn is a good campsite for people to spend their leisure time.
Stretching 342.5 kilometers, the Yitong River is a secondary tributary of the Songhua River. It winds through the entire Changchun City from south to north and is the "mother river" of the city.
Now the banks of the river present a picturesque scene with lush vegetation, and the watercourse is clean and unobstructed, but it was a stinking ditch that locals would not come close to.
Changchun started the largest comprehensive treatment project in 2016 to improve the ecological environment along the banks. A total of 75 black and malodorous water bodies have been effectively remedied through measures such as building sewage treatment plants, managing sewage outlets and clearing silt and dredging.
"I came to Changchun 15 years ago when I was studying, and then I settled here. At that time, the banks were still quite desolate, and there were many insects, like mosquitoes. I had my child a few years ago, so we often come here to take a walk. I can feel the great changes here, including those on the greening and environmental management. There is quite huge improvement," said Chen Jian, a local resident.
So far, Changchun has built a total of about 800 kilometers of greenways. The city will continue to optimize the overall layout during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), to build another 200 kilometers of greenways and establish a more systematic greenway network.
Comprehensive river management and ecological corridor construction are the epitome of Changchun's efforts in continuously consolidating the high-standard urban forest ecosystem. This year marks the eighth year that the city has been listed as a national-level forest city.
At present, the greenery area of Changchun's built-up area reaches more than 24,000 hectares, with a green coverage rate of 43.7 percent. The city has 190 parks, with a per capita average area of park greenery of 14.17 square meters.
Changchun City renovates greenway network to consolidate ecological restoration achievements
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
