Old Yellow River Parks (Huanghe Park and Hebin Park)

The Old Yellow River Parks, made up of Huanghe Park and Hebin Park, run along the former bed of the Yellow River through the centre of Suqian in Jiangsu, China, with the riverside entrance on Huanghe Road in Xingfu Subdistrict, Sucheng District. The Yellow River once flowed through this part of Jiangsu before shifting course in the nineteenth century, and the old channel now forms a long green and watery corridor that is the city's main public waterfront. Admission is free and the parks are open public spaces. Visitors stroll the riverside promenades, cross bridges, sit under willows and follow paths between lawns, flower beds and small pavilions. Local residents use the parks for exercise, dancing, walking and fishing, so the atmosphere is lively and informal. In the warm season the parks are lit in the evening, and the illuminated waterfront is the most attractive time to visit. A walk of one to two hours covers a good section, and the route connects naturally with Xiang Wang Hometown and Suqian Museum, which lie along the same river. Photo angles include the bridges reflected in the water at dusk and the tree-lined promenade in early morning light. Crowds are largest on summer evenings and weekends, while mornings are calm. The parks are about 9 km from Suqian Station, and a taxi or Didi with Amap or Baidu Maps is the simplest way to arrive. There is no formal ticketing, so the visit is flexible and can fit between other sights. Cafes and snack vendors operate near the busier sections, and public restrooms are placed along the main paths.