Reeds, an ancient and romantic plant.

The beginning of winter has passed, and the reeds by the water in Beijing have already bloomed. Their flowers are pale white with a hint of yellow, their delicate and graceful shapes swaying in the wind like bird feathers, perfectly setting the atmosphere of early winter.

01 Nanhaizi Park 

In history, Nanhaizi was a hunting ground for emperors of the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, and a royal garden during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nanhaizi Park features vast bodies of water, abundant aquatic plants, large lake shores, and reed marshes, providing a suitable habitat for birds.

Entering from the park's north gate, you don't have to walk far before encountering a large reed marsh. The soft breeze rustles the reeds, and the reed flowers, bathed in sunlight, appear crystal-clear like ice and snow. 

Address: No. 16, Huangyi Lu(Rd), Daxing, Beijing.

02 Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) 

In the winter at the Yuanmingyuan ruins, patches of reeds sway in the wind, poetic and picturesque, dreamy and ethereal. They stand by the lake, alongside the trees, and in the breeze, softly singing the song of time, illustrating the passage of the years. 

The lakes at various scenic spots serve as stages for the reeds, their graceful forms reflected in the water, harmonizing with the surrounding scenery. 

The reeds on the lake surface create a flowing ink painting, vividly depicting the traces of time and the changing seasons. 

Address: No. 28, Tsinghua Xilu(Rd West), Haidian, Beijing.

03 Chaoyang Park 

The reeds in Chaoyang Park grow tall and dense along the lake, glistening with a soft golden hue under the sunlight.

Black swans and wild ducks glide freely across the lake, creating ripples that dance with the reeds along the shore. The stillness and motion complement each other beautifully. In the early morning, as the sun rises from the distant forest, its glorious rays shine on the shimmering lake, creating a sparkling reflection that ripples across the water.

The reeds along the shore stretch gracefully in the wind as they greet the sunrise, displaying a vibrant energy in this early winter season. 

Address: No. 1, Chaoyang Park Nanlu(Rd South), Chaoyang, Beijing.

04 Olympic Forest Park 

Reeds in the South Park of Olympic Forest Park are distributed around the Dieshuihuatai, Chenshuilangdao, and Jingxinchi. They can also be found along the shores of Aohai.

The shimmering water surface is dotted with vast reed beds swaying in the wind. Among the tall, slender leaves, clusters of yellow and white fluffy reeds emerge. Wild geese and ducks play in the reed beds, while the branches and leaves along the shore have fallen, revealing bare, gnarled limbs.

Branches, reeds, and wild ducks—the atmosphere of early winter is unmistakably present.

Address: No. 33, Kehui Lu(Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing.

05 Central Green Forest Park

Along the old canal path in Central Green Forest Park, a variety of riparian plants are planted, creating a vast scene of reeds and dancing bulrush flowers.

Standing by the old canal path, gazing at the rippling water surface, reflections of the stone bridge and clusters of reeds are seen. The scattered reed flowers flutter in the wind, bringing a sense of tranquility and pleasure to the heart, perfect for enjoying the early winter scenery by the river.

Address: Intersection of Zhangxinzhuang Lu(Rd) and Tonghuai Lu(Rd), Tongzhou, Beijing.

06 Beijing Yeyahu (Wild Duck Lake) National Wetland Park

The autumn and winter seasons at Yeyahu are truly romantic, with a gentle breeze, reeds, distant mountains, and the lake creating a vast and majestic scene.

The golden reeds, the ancient wooden boardwalk, and the ducks, migratory birds, and lazy cats at the entrance of the park all convey a sense of tranquility and freedom, allowing visitors to feel the beauty of early winter. 

Here, make sure to catch one last sunset. During sunset, the sunlight spills over the lake and the golden reeds, creating an atmosphere as if stepping into a world of oil paintings.

Address: 500 meters west of Liuhaoying Village, Kangye Lu(Rd), Kangzhuang Town, Yanqing, Beijing.

Translator: BAI Jing

Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan