A waterfront scenic belt with five distinct activity sections and seven bridges along the 7.2-km (4.5-mile) Tianmu River (Central Ditch) in Hengqin New Area has been opened in time for the May Day holiday.

An attraction for Hengqin International Recreation Island, the Tianmu River Ecological Corridor between Big and Small Hengqin mountains runs west to the Modaomen and east to the Shizimen waterways. The belt integrates clearly observable landscapes of water, mountains, forest, paddy fields, lakes, and lawns with safety, cultural attractions, landscaping, and commercial functions.

The outdoor activity zones are named Biocoenosis, Community Park, Heart of Tianmu, Art Roaming, and China-West Dialogue. Sports-themed Community Park, for instance, has jogging paths, bike lanes, walkways, and basketball courts. China-West Dialogue is infused with Latin American-ambience at its beaches, cruise terminal, and open leisure space.

Sightseeing tower on north side of the eastern Tianmu River near Gang'ao Avenue

The tourism-and-leisure belt covers 850,000 sq m (210 acres), of which 490,000 sq m (121 acres) are green space. Spanning 700 m (766 yd), the corridor's demonstration section consists of 217,000 sq m (54 acres) of waterfront green space, statues, and decorative stones. There are also 15-km (9-mile) and 1-km (1,094-yd) curving greenways for cyclists.

A dominating view of the Tianmu River, Hengqin mountains, and Zhongxin Avenue is accessible from the uppermost platform of a 24.8-m (81.3-ft) sightseeing tower that rises 14.5 m (47.6 ft) on the riverbank.

In addition, seven characteristic bridges of Yiyi, Shuangshuang, Shanshan, Sisi, Fufu, Liuliu, and Qiqi, homophonic with Chinese numbers representing 1-7, span the river. For now, the Yiyi, Sisi, and Fufu bridges are open and the Shanshan is next. Liuliu and Qiqi are under construction, and last in line for completion is the Shuangshuang. This final bridge is near the 3.72-billion-yuan ($537-million) Hengqin Tianmu Qintai landscape and business complex being constructed on an island to support the Tourism & Leisure Belt and facilitate development of Hengqin International Leisure Tourism Island.

The ecological corridor was developed under a Sponge City concept into watercourse construction with functions for tidal resistance and flood drainage.

Yiyi Bridge extending from Zi Qibei Road [Photos provided by Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Investment Co to Guanhai App]