Beijing's Daxing district held the first Yongding River Culture Forum on Oct 31. Timed to coincide with the 322nd anniversary of the river's naming, the forum gathered experts to explore the cultural charm of the river in southern Beijing, and promote high-quality local development.

During the event, the district initiated a Southern-Beijing Yongding River cultural research institute in cooperation with the China Society of Water Economics, the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, and other units.

In order to promote the real-world implementation of research results, it also established a base that will carry out displays and experience and exchange activities.

In addition, the district's culture and tourism authority introduced its top ten tourism experience routes.

Beijing's Daxing district unveils the Yongding River culture base, built to carry out displays and experience and exchange activities, on Oct 31. [Photo provided by Daxing district]

A river culture exhibition was held on the same day, displaying precious historical materials, including a royal stele and an old painting. Tools and other findings demonstrated the river's history of management. The river's ecological restoration achievements were also shown during the display.

In recent years, the district has been striving to build an open eco experience zone that integrates cultural tourism, ecological landscapes and sports and fitness.

Daxing will continue to develop local sports events, using its green riverside resources. Over the coming year, it will host hiking and winter sports drives, a half marathon, a rally sport challenge and other activities.

The Beijing section of the Yongding River is 55.5 kilometers long. It has nurtured cultures based around water governance, farming, and an ancient capital, plus southern-Beijing folk culture and revolutionary culture.