The 9.3-kilometer Liangma River International Style Waterfront, featuring 24 bridges along its 6-kilometer navigable stretch, weaves together European-inspired shopping streets, gleaming yacht piers, a cosmopolitan embassy quarter, and an 18-kilometer riverside greenway. Here, kayaks slice through sun-dappled waters by daylight, while evening cruises glide beneath glowing installations, and the terraces of waterside cafés hum with the fragrance of coffee and the soulful notes of live jazz.

Two Routes to Experience the River

The Light Chaser Route: This route specializes in an immersive journey through luminous art. Departing from Blue Harbor Pier, the 45-minute cruise passes twelve distinct light installations, creating perfect opportunities for photography and delivering a truly romantic evening experience.

The Connector Route: Designed for efficient transport, this route connects three key piers, namely Blue Harbor, Bisha, and Fangzhou Lake. Operating on a fill-and-go basis, it offers flexible hop-on/hop-off access, ideal for visitors looking to travel quickly between major areas or combine their cruise with onshore activities.

Operating Hours (2025 Schedule)

Day Cruises: 14:00 - 18:00 (final departure at 17:30, with boarding and ticket sales closing at the same time)

Night Cruises: 18:30 - 22:30 (final departure at 21:50, with boarding and ticket sales closing at the same time)

Light Art & Live Performances

During special events, most notably the annual Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival held each autumn, the Liangma River area becomes an open-air gallery of spectacular light installations and dynamic live performances.

1. The "Magic Cube": Beijing's First Floating Light Stage

This groundbreaking installation features a massive 13.5-meter-diameter mechanical cube at its core, paired with a 6-meter-wide circular stage that floats on the water. With a simple command, the entire structure can instantly transform to function as a traditional theater, a modern fashion runway, or an immersive exhibition and performance venue.

2. "Lonely Planet": Beijing’s Premier Overwater Social Space with Light Art

Centered around futuristic transparent dome-shaped “bubble pods” that emit a starry glow, this venue combines a stylish, Instagram-ready beverage service with a central bar.

3. “Soaring Over the Blue Lake": Beijing’s First Aerial Light Performance Across Water

As dusk falls, a 10-meter “Kunpeng” light sculpture, inspired by a giant fish-bird in ancient Chinese mythology, glides silently along an overhead track. Below it, four massive LED screens display the ancient masterpiece One Hundred Horses, while aerialists perform on aerial wires at the Shell Theater, high above its surrounding waters, merging technology, art, and mythology into one breathtaking spectacle.

4. "Water Spirit": A New Riverside Walkway Experience

This immersive installation transforms a passageway into a luminous "underwater corridor". Custom-designed ripple-effect lights are cast across the path and walls, creating the sensation of walking through flowing water. As visitors pass through, their movements trigger gentle, undulating waves of light across the ground.

Good to Know

The most extensive displays of light installations and scheduled live performances are primarily available during the official Light Festival season. For reference, the 2025 edition is scheduled from October 11 to 31. To make the most of your visit, we recommend confirming the exact dates and times for specific activities ahead of your trip.