Reeds are an ancient and romantic plant. As described in the Classic of Poetry: "Green, green the reed; Dew and frost gleam."

After the Beginning of Winter, the reeds by the waters in Beijing have already bloomed. Their flowers, tinged with pale white and a hint of yellow, sway gracefully in the breeze, like bird feathers fluttering in the wind, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of early winter.

01 Nanhaizi Park

Historically, Nanhaizi was a hunting ground for emperors during the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, and a royal garden during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

It boasts expansive water areas, rich aquatic plants, large stretches of lakeshores, and reed marshes, providing a perfect habitat for a variety of birds.

Entering the park from the north gate, you don't have to walk far to find a vast reed marsh. As the breeze blows, the reeds rustle softly, and the reed flowers, bathed in sunlight, sparkle like ice crystals.

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

02 Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park

In the winter at the ruins of Yuanmingyuan, reeds sway gently in the wind, creating a scene that feels both poetic and dreamlike. They grow along the lakes, beside the trees, and in the breeze, quietly singing the song of time and illustrating the passage of the years.

The lakes at Yulinglong Hall, Lion Grove, and Fuhai Lake serve as a stage for the reeds. Their elegant forms are reflected in the water, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

The reeds on the lake's surface resemble a flowing ink painting, vividly capturing the traces of time and the changing seasons.

Address: No. 28, Qinghua Xilu(Rd), Haidian District, Beijing

03 Chaoyang Park

The reeds at Chaoyang Park grow tall and dense along the lake, shimmering with a soft golden glow in the sunlight.

Black swans and wild ducks glide freely across the lake, creating ripples that dance through the water, while the reeds along the shore, still and swaying, form a charming contrast of motion and calm.

At dawn, the glorious sunrise rises from the distant woods, casting its radiant light over the sparkling lake surface, where the gentle ripples reflect the morning glow.

The reeds by the shore stretch gracefully in the breeze, welcoming the sunrise. In this early winter season, they display a vibrant, refreshing vitality.

Address: No. 1, Chaoyang Park Nanlu(SouthRd), Chaoyang District, Beijing

04 Olympic Forest Park

The reeds in the Southern Garden of Olympic Forest Park are found around the Dieshui Huatai terrace, Chenshui Corridor, and Jingxin Pond, with some also growing along the shore of the Aohai Lake.

The water surface shimmers as the reeds in the vast marshes sway gently in the breeze. Between the long, slender leaves, yellowish-white fluffy reed flowers emerge. Wild geese and ducks play among the reeds, while the trees along the shore stand bare, their branches and leaves fallen, revealing the stark silhouettes of the limbs.

The combination of branches, reeds, and wild ducks brings a vivid sense of early winter.

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

05 Central Green Forest Park

In the Central Green Forest Park, located by the ancient Grand Canal, a variety of riparian plants have been planted, creating a vast scene where reeds stretch out and bulrushes dance in the wind.

Standing by the ancient Grand Canal, gazing at the rippling water surface, reflections of stone bridges and clusters of reeds can be seen. The scattered reed flowers flutter in the breeze, adding a sense of quiet enjoyment and comfort to the experience of viewing the riverside in early winter.

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

06 Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park

Wild Duck Lake in autumn and winter is truly romantic. The gentle breeze, reeds, distant mountains, and the lake together form a vast and majestic scene.

The golden reed marshes, the ancient wooden boardwalk, the ducks and migratory birds scattered around, and even the lazy cats at the entrance of the park all convey a sense of tranquility and freedom, evoking the beauty of early winter.

Make sure to catch the sunset here. As the sun sets, the golden light spills over the lake and the reeds, creating a scene straight out of a painting.

Address: 500 meters west of Liuhaoying Village, No.5 Kangye Lu(Rd), Kangzhuang Town, Yanqing District, Beijing.

Where are some of your favorite places to enjoy reed viewing in winter? Feel free to share in the comments!