<p class="ql-block">June 13, 9:00AM</p><p class="ql-block">Two and a half months into my Beijing journey, I have gently eased into the rhythm of life here. The hotel I call home boasts pristine, brand-new facilities, and right beside it lies a park that has become my morning sanctuary for exercise and reflection. The scenery is enchanting; through daily encounters, I have grown profoundly attached to this place.</p><p class="ql-block">My quarters sit on the fringes of an industrial zone, a landscape dominated by corporate monoliths, sparse foot traffic, and little commercial bustle. Initially, craving a taste of the city's vibrant, everyday human warmth, I ventured out, mapping a path toward the subway station. Little did I know then that running alongside my route lay the hidden grace of the Yongxing River and its wetland park.</p><p class="ql-block">My first step into the park was met with instant delight. In spring, peach, pear, and cherry blossoms bloomed in a breathtaking relay, turning the landscape into a veritable sea of flowers. After wandering its paths for two consecutive days, my heart was completely captured by this beauty. The adjacent Yongxing River runs shallow, its clear waters echoing with the rhythmic cadence of frogs. In the heart of a sprawling metropolis like Beijing, stumbling upon such a sanctuary of stillness—and greeting each morning amidst nature's quiet splendor—is a rare and exquisite joy.</p> <p class="ql-block">Later, during a casual chat, a colleague asked if I knew of the scenic park near our lodgings. I didn't recognize it at first. It was only when they mentioned its formal name—Daxing Yongxing Wetland Park—that realization dawned upon me. Now, as spring dissolves into summer, the woods have grown lush and canopy-dense, displaying a meticulously curated tapestry of tree species. Shaded pathways meander through the greenery, offering the leisure of an urban retreat while preserving the raw, untamed spirit of the wild. Wandering through, a sense of wonder often struck me: *Who possessed the vision to craft a landscape so organically alive yet so beautifully ordered?* A quick search online provided the answer: it was designed by Professor Yu Kongjian, the founding dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Peking University. Light broke through my curiosity, leaving me in deep admiration. The work of a master is indeed unmistakable.</p> <p class="ql-block">The Yongxing River stands as the park’s most poetic feature. The waterway is intimate and refined, its bed woven with aquatic flora and its banks fringed with swaying reeds. Through it all, the crystal-clear water glides gently by. On any given day, anglers can be seen casting lines by the water's edge, lending a lively, human touch to the picturesque riverside. In the early morning, the elderly stretch their limbs on fitness frames, the youth sprint along the paths, and many, like myself, simply amble along. Every inch of this space is alive, utilized, and pulsing with vitality.</p><p class="ql-block">Presently, the park is adorned with the seasonal bounty of ripening fruits—a distinct and charming spectacle. Tall apricot trees are laden with tempting, golden globes, prompting visitors to reach up with long poles to harvest them. Pears grow plumper on the bough, endearing in their fullness, while rare purple cherries add splashes of deep color. Having shed the ephemeral glory of spring blossoms, the park now cloaks itself in the rich, lingering beauty of harvest.</p> <p class="ql-block">Deep within the park lies a Traditional Chinese Medicine themed garden, anchored by statues of legendary physicians like Li Shizhen and Sun Simiao, and planted with diverse traditional herbs. Working in the medical sphere myself, though not deeply steeped in TCM, I am well aware of the perennial debates surrounding it—whether it belongs to the realm of science or philosophy is a conversation that never truly ends. Yet, standing amidst these quiet plants, the atmosphere is profoundly serene and comforting to the soul.</p><p class="ql-block">For months, whenever time permitted, I have spent an hour here almost every morning. As the days blend into one another, my affection for this wetland park has only deepened, along with a growing curiosity about its underlying philosophy. Reflecting on my own past tenure as a teacher at Peking University, I felt a kindred reverence for this designer who walked the same campus. Then, an old piece of news suddenly drifted back to me. I recalled hearing of a renowned Chinese landscape architect who had met with a tragic aviation accident in Brazil. A sudden, somber thought gripped me: *Could that ill-fated designer be Professor Yu Kongjian, the mind behind this very sanctuary?* Seeking answers, I turned to you for confirmation, only to have my fears sorrowfully realized.</p> <p class="ql-block">Professor Yu Kongjian was the pioneer of the "Sponge City" concept, and the Yongxing Wetland Park stands as a textbook manifestation of his vision. He championed a philosophy of working with nature rather than against it, allowing artificial landscapes to dissolve seamlessly into native ecosystems. Tragically, in September 2025, while traveling to Brazil to further his ecological mission, he perished in a plane crash. This titan of ecological landscape architecture spent his final moments journeying for the ideal of harmony between humanity and the earth.</p><p class="ql-block">As someone who loves staying active, I noticed that while basic fitness apparatuses like pull-up bars are scattered about, they are rarely used. I often ponder how much better this expansive terrain could serve the community if it were enhanced with outdoor courts for pickleball, tennis, or basketball. To me, this is the park's singular imperfection: it denies sports lovers the chance to engage in collective play while being embraced by nature. This realization mirrors a broader societal reality: sports in China have historically leaned toward an elite system. While provincial, municipal, and national teams are impeccably structured and dominant on the world stage, grassroots public sports participation still faces a conspicuous gap compared to some Western nations—a fleeting melancholy that crossed my mind during my walk.</p><p class="ql-block">Yet, the TCM garden remains a masterstroke, beautifully fusing natural scenery with traditional Chinese culture and historical humanity.</p><p class="ql-block">The park Professor Yu Kongjian left behind is a true masterpiece. Today, thousands flock here daily to touch nature, savor life, and embrace tranquility. He sculpted such a beautiful haven for the world, and for this, he deserves our enduring gratitude and memory.</p>