Beijing's fashionable riverside retreat

Without question, the Liangma River is one of Beijing's most fashionable places to unwind.

Stretching about 10 kilometers through the Chaoyang district, the river connects Beijing's embassy quarter with several major commercial areas. With clear water, green banks and rows of willow trees, it offers something increasingly precious in a busy metropolis: room to slow down and catch your breath.

On a sunny afternoon, people stroll along the river, practice yoga, paddle on the water, sit at riverside cafes or simply spend time doing nothing on a bench.

But the river's transformation is relatively recent.