The Huitong-Nazhou Slow-Traffic Loop Greenway opened July 18 to hikers, joggers and bicyclists in the ages-old villages of Tangjiawan Town in the National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone. 

An extension of the 3-km (1.86-mile) Nazhou Greenway, the 7-km (4-mile) slow-traffic greenway runs along vast stretches of paddy fields, vegetable farms, and the Naxi River against a background of distant mountains and villages in Nazhou and Huitong communities.

Find the starting point by walking 2 km (1.24 miles) from Huitong Village along the Naxi River greenway in the direction of Nazhou. There is an ancient bridge with a signboard on which is written "Beautiful Nazhou."

Cyclists on Huitong-Nazhou Slow-Traffic Loop Greenway [Photo by Wu Changfu / Guanhai App]

Colored lines separate the asphalt greenway into lanes for bikes and pedestrians. Waterfront platforms and rest stations have design elements of stone mills, woodprints, and farming-themed sculptures along the route for photo-taking.

Highlighted is a woodprint exhibition wall featuring replicas of Nazhou native maestro Gu Yuan, as well as works related to ecology, sports, and rural rejuvenation.

The greenway is meant to enrich the lives of Nazhou residents while allowing more people to access the profound history and culture of the Huitong-Nazhou area, said a local surnamed Huang. Another first-hand experiencer surnamed Li expressed delight at the improved rural environment when cycling through the ancient villages Sunday with his 6-year-old daughter.

The greenway will next be extended 3 km to form a 10-km (6-mile) large loop, which will contain lanes for motor vehicles and form part of the Huitong-Nazhou demonstration area for rural rejuvenation.