Huichang River named Zhejiang's "most beautiful hometown river"

March 22, 2024 marked the 32nd World Water Day, which coincided with the 37th China Water Week (March 22nd-28th). Recently, Zhejiang Province announced the results of the second round of its search for“the most beautiful hometown river". As a key event of both the global and domestic water observances in 2024, the search saw 11 notable waterways, including the Huichang River in Lucheng District, being recognized for their outstanding achievements in water management and distinct characteristics. Notably, the Huichang River is the first and the only river from Wenzhou that has been singled out as the provincial-level“most beautiful hometown river".

Stretching a total of 5.2 kilometers, the Huichang River encompasses sections such as the Xishan River, the Wenzhou-Ruian Tanghe River, and Nantang River in Lucheng District. Thanks to its naturally curved riverbanks, the Huichang River enjoys strong capacity in flood control and drainage. As the widest inland river in Wenzhou urban areas, its waters weave through the landscape, embodying the essence of"city contains water and water embraces the city”. Leveraging the Wenzhou-Ruian Tanghe River system and drawing inspiration from ancient tree-pavilion culture, wetland culture, temple culture, and dragon boat culture, the Huichang River has become a canvas for urban development, painting a vibrant ecological picture of Lucheng District. From the riverbanks, one can glimpse gray-tiled buildings lining the shores, while cruise ships gracefully traverse the waters, leaving trails of waves in their wake. On the embankments, tourists leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade, taking in the serene scenery.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Huichang River encountered a series of challenges, including a shrinking water system, inadequate flood discharge capability, and escalating pollution issues, while the region was undergoing economic development. How did citizens transition from a state of“fear of water” to one of“affinity with water”? The regulation process of the Huichang River began with the establishment of the construction headquarters of the Huichang River water park project in 2001. Since then, a number of projects, including the renovation of Zhuangtou old village, have been successively launched. So far, the cumulative investment in these endeavors has surpassed 10 billion yuan. According to an official from the Lucheng District Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, the implementation of“six major” remediation measures and the ongoing execution of several projects have addressed numerous chronic issues in Huichang River. As a result, the appearance of the river and its surrounding lakes has continuously improved, and the water ecological environment has seen significant enhancements. In recognition of these efforts, the Huichang River was designated as a provincial-level beautiful river and lake in 2019.

In recent years, Lucheng District has been committed to restoring, protecting, and developing the existing water networks and bridges along Huichang River, emphasizing the unique characteristics of its water towns. Up to now, significant progress has been made in cleaning up all sections of the river. To ensure the sustained flow of freshwater within the river system, the district has embarked on a series of living water projects, addressing both long- and short-term needs. Furthermore, innovative processes and technical measures, including the Akoman Ecological Base, were being implemented to enhance the overall water purification capability of the Huichang River. At the same time, several exhibition halls reflecting the rich customs of ancient Wenzhou were being constructed along the river, including the Times Art Museum, Boshan Art Museum, and Wenzhou Folk Arts & Crafts Museum. These cultural landmarks, coupled with approximately 12.6 kilometers of greenways, will not only enrich the cultural heritage of the area but also contribute to the ecological connectivity through the optimization of its waterfront ecology.

In recent times, the Huichang River has transformed into a vibrant and diverse landscape, boasting attractions such as the charming and prosperous Nantang Street, antique stone arch bridges, and a lively dragon boat base. The river has emerged not only as an“ecological river” that is warmly embraced by the public, but also as a“rich river” that is driving economic growth in the surrounding regions. According to recent statistics, during the Chinese National Day holidays last year, the river attracted a total of 403,600 visitors, with an average daily visitor count exceeding 50,500.(ZhongXin)