Cool off by the riverside, a hidden urban waterfront gem
💧 Winding river surrounded by lush trees, a great place to cool off by the water in midsummer. Quiet and uncrowded, it's a one-stop destination for picnics, walks, and water play.
📜 Geography and park overview
Baihetan Park is an open waterfront ecological park built along the city's White River. The trail runs along the river, connecting shallow beach areas, reed wetlands, shaded lawns, and scenic stone bridges. It's not heavily commercialized and serves as a free urban park for locals to cool off, enjoy family time, take photos, and go for walks in the summer.
Summer features (July–August):
✅ Water vapor from the river cools the air; full shade coverage makes it 4°C cooler than the city center—a natural summer retreat
✅ The shallow riverbed has gentle currents, perfect for wading. Reeds sway in the breeze nearby
✅ Evening sunsets reflect on the river, and the evening breeze is gentle—perfect for cycling and picnics
✅ Lush greenery, lotus flowers, and water lilies bloom along the river, creating a fresh and healing atmosphere
✅ Open all day for free, no admission fee, convenient parking—a top choice for short, light trips
⏳ Summer visiting hours
Time slot | Visiting experience | Suitable for
6:30-9:00 | Morning mist on the river, quiet and uncrowded, soft light. Perfect for morning jogs and photographing lotus flowers | Photographers, morning exercisers
9:30-11:30 | Shade blocks the intense sun, comfortable temperature for wading. Family-friendly | Families with kids, short-trip leisure travelers
12:00-15:00 | Intense midday sun, only suitable for cooling off under trees. Not recommended for long outdoor activities | Short breaks and refueling
16:30-20:00 | Golden hours for visiting. Sunset by the water, cycling, picnics, and great sunset vibes | Couples, photo enthusiasts, picnickers
20:00-21:30 | Riverside landscape lights turn on, cool evening breeze, relaxing night walks | Post-dinner strollers
Park operating hours: Open 24 hours a day for free
Shallow water area control hours: 8:00–21:00, no wading allowed at night
🎫 Tickets and expenses
1. Park area: Free admission, no reservation required
2. Optional expenses
· Shared single/tandem bicycles: CNY 15/hour, for cycling along the river
· Convenience store: Cold drinks, snacks, water toys, affordable prices
· Picnic mats and fishing nets can be brought from home; rental prices in the park are on the higher side
3. No parking fees: Outdoor parking lot available on the park perimeter, free all day
🚗 Comprehensive transportation guide
Self-driving (recommended)
Navigate to "Baihetan Park Main Entrance Parking Lot." Plenty of parking spaces, direct access to the riverside trail, flexible travel, and convenient for carrying picnic gear.
Public bus
Multiple bus lines go directly to the park's main entrance bus stop. It's a 3-minute walk to the riverbank after getting off. Plenty of buses available for the return trip in the evening.
Cycling
Direct access by cycling from the city. The park has shared bike parking spots, and the riverside greenway offers an excellent cycling experience.
🏞️ Must-visit summer highlights
1. Riverside shallow water area
The park's core feature. The riverbed is gentle, water is only a few centimeters deep and crystal clear. Great for summer wading and catching small fish/shrimp. The riverbed is covered in stones, making it safe for children to play, and large trees provide shade.
2. Lotus landscape belt
Large lotus ponds on both sides of the river. July–August is the peak blooming season. Pink and white lotus flowers pair with emerald green leaves. Wooden boardwalks weave through the flowers for close-up viewing and photos.
3. Reed wetland boardwalk
A long wooden boardwalk winds through the reeds. The wind makes the reeds rustle. The view by the water is open, quiet, and uncrowded—a great spot for Japanese-style healing photos.
4. Riverside lawn
Large, flat, shaded lawn. Picnic mats are allowed. Bring your own snacks for afternoon tea and enjoy the breeze under the shade. Simple canopies can be set up.
5. Cross-river scenic stone bridge
A white stone arch bridge spans the river. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the entire river, lotus flowers, and reeds. Backlit sunset photos here are very atmospheric.
📸 Summer photography spots & outfit guide
Golden photo spots
1. Lotus wooden boardwalk: Close-up portraits with lotus flowers, using water lilies as foreground for rich layering
2. Middle section of the reed wetland boardwalk: Deep perspective of the reed river, clean and uncrowded
3. Center of the cross-river stone bridge: Wide-angle shots of the river, beach, and greenery
4. Stones in the shallow water area: Low-angle shots of water ripples and wading vibes
5. West side lawn highland: High-angle shots of the entire White River sunset reflection
Outfit recommendations
· Leisure: Light blue, white, or beige dresses, cotton/linen short sleeves—perfect for green water and lotus flowers
· Water play: Quick-dry shorts, water shoes, and a change of clothes
· Accessories: Straw sun hat, transparent umbrella (for sun/rain protection), light-colored canvas bag
· Avoid: Dark heat-absorbing clothing, long heavy jeans, high heels (not suitable for walking on the riverbed)
🗺️ Two premium summer tour routes
Route 1 | Family water play & leisure (2.5 hours, family favorite)
Main entrance > Set up picnic on the riverside lawn > Enjoy flowers on the lotus boardwalk > Wading and fishing in the shallow water area > View from the stone bridge > Refuel at the convenience store and head back
Highlights: Shaded throughout, no sun exposure, combines water play and flower viewing, relaxed pace
Route 2 | Healing photo walk (3 hours, for photo enthusiasts)
Walk along the west side reed boardwalk > Panoramic shots from the cross-river stone bridge > Portrait photos at the lotus landscape belt > Picnic on the lawn > Wait for the sunset by the river in the evening > Night walk along the illuminated trail and head back
Highlights: Covers all popular photo spots, double scenery of daytime flower sea + evening sunset
🌿 Summer essentials checklist
Sun protection: High-SPF sunscreen, sun hat, cooling sleeves, sunglasses
Water play gear: Water shoes, change of clothes, small fishing net, waterproof phone pouch
Protection: Mosquito repellent spray, anti-itch cream (lots of insects near the river), portable fan
Picnic supplies: Bottled water, fruit, snacks, picnic mat, disposable trash bags
Other: Power bank, umbrella (summer afternoon showers are common)
⚠️ Summer visiting tips
1. The shallow area is only for wading; swimming is prohibited. Currents are swift in deeper parts of the river, so keep an eye on children
2. Riverbed stones are slippery; walk slowly to avoid falling or bumping
3. Do not step on plants or pick lotus flowers on the lawn or in the lotus pond. Please protect the ecological landscape
4. Take all picnic trash with you. Trash cans in the park are far apart, so bring your own trash bags
5. Short thunderstorms are common on summer afternoons. If it rains, head to a nearby pavilion for shelter
6. Mosquitoes are active in the evening; try to avoid staying deep in the reed bushes for long periods
7. When cycling, watch out for pedestrians. Fast cycling is prohibited on stone bridges and in water-play areas
🍱 Nearby food & refueling
The park only has a small convenience store inside. For full meals, we recommend the shops along the street at the park entrance:
1. Local snacks: Liangpi (cold skin noodles), cold noodles, bingfen (ice jelly), fried skewers—affordable summer snacks to cool off
2. Home-style restaurants: Farm-style stir-fry, river fish dishes, generous portions
3. Bring your own picnic food: Fruit, cake, sparkling water—better atmosphere for a lawn picnic