Want to know the city and see the river
These rivers have their own characteristics, some are picturesque, some are thick and distant, and some are nourishing and nurturing.
Wen Miao Zou Xiang Editor Jin Mingda
On March 11th, 2020, in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, the antique building beside Jinshui River: Suihe Songsi.
In recent years, due to the need of work, I have almost traveled all over the country and visited many overseas countries and regions. Every time I go to a city, I will check the local traffic map to see if there is a river there.
Because I found that many cities have one or more rivers that run through the whole city, or bear the history of the city, or become the spokesperson of the city, or affect the development of the city. For example, the Luohe River in Luoyang, the Yellow River in Jiyuan, the Changpu River in Beijing, the Funan River in Chengdu, the Qinhuai River in Nanjing, the Huangpu River in Shanghai, etc., and the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, the Thames River in London, the Charles River in Boston, etc.
These rivers have their own characteristics, some are picturesque, some are thick and distant, and some are nourishing and nurturing.
Historical witness times
A city, as long as it has a river of its own, is not simple, but more meaningful. Often a river will determine the style of a city, and even the rise and fall of the city.
British politician john burns once said, "The Thames is the most beautiful river in the world because it is a flowing history." It is true that on the banks of the Thames, there are too many unforgettable histories, which have influenced generation after generation.
Thames is a river located in the southwest of England, with a total length of 346 kilometers, which runs through London, the capital of England, and more than ten cities along the river, with a drainage area of 13,000 square kilometers. The Thames has a stable water level, a slow flow rate, a wide river and a deep water depth, which occupies the benefits of shipping.
In British history, the Thames valley occupies a pivotal position. The famous attractions in London, such as the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, are all located on the banks of the river. In the evening, the banks of the river are brightly lit and neon-lit, giving people endless beauty.
The Thames has always been the object of singing praises by literati, writers and poets, as well as sketching by painters from all over the world, and it is also the only place for tourists from all over the world to visit the ancient times. In October 2014, I made a special trip to visit the Thames, which was called "Mother River" by the British. After visiting all kinds of buildings, statues and churches along the river, we can’t help but admire the extraordinary and extraordinary success of this river.
Sitting on the stone bench by the river, thinking about the deceased celebrities such as Faraday, Guibert and Morris, and thinking about the artistic charm of England, I can’t help but feel infinite sigh. This ancient and mysterious river is not only a witness of history, but also a participant in history. It always flows slowly there for a long time!
Wang Shi you you Jin shui he
Forget the distant river, just talk about the river in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, where I live!
In Zhengzhou, there are six rivers loaded with the city’s civilization, including Jinshui River, Xiong ‘er River, Jia Luhe, Suoxu River, Qili River and Dongfeng Canal. Among them, the Jinshui River, Xiong ‘er River and Dongfeng Canal are the ones I am most familiar with and often visit.
Jinshui River is the oldest river in Zhengzhou. It is like a ribbon, from west to east, closely connected with the city of Zhengzhou. The origin of this river is closely related to Zi Chan, an enlightened politician of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn Period.
2500 years ago, in the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a famous politician in Zheng State in Zhengzhou. During his 26 years in office, Zi Chan was honest and selfless, and his family was still poor when he died. The local people were moved by his fairness and honesty, and when he died, they took out their gold and silver jewelry and wanted to use them to bury him. However, his family refused to accept it according to his living will, so the people threw gold and silver jewelry into the river to commemorate the virtue of Zi Chan. This river is also golden because of the brilliant light of jewelry, hence the name Jinshui River.
Jinshui River has been diverted many times, the most recent time was at the end of 1939. Since 1996, Zhengzhou municipal government has repeatedly treated Jinshui River, thoroughly dredged the bottom of Jinshui River, reinforced the riverbank, planted trees and flowers in sections, and built a Jinshui River Riverside Park with five scenic spots and 11.3 kilometers long. Since then, Zhengzhou people have had a clear stream of blue waves.
This river has witnessed the historical changes of Zhengzhou. No matter how the city develops and changes, it is always there, and it is silent.
Let people talk about Dongfeng canal
Dongfeng Canal is a relatively young river in Zhengzhou city. It was dug in 1958 and is an irrigation canal for diverting water from the Yellow River.
In 1960 and 1961, the Yellow River water was tried twice in Dongfeng Canal, but due to sediment deposition, the land on both sides of the river was salinized and could not be used any more. Since 1962, the north channel of Dongfeng Canal has been out of use. Since then, Dongfeng Canal has gradually become the main flood discharge and sewage discharge channel in Zhengzhou city and suburbs.
The weeping willows on both sides of the Dongfeng Canal, like green screens, are gentle and affectionate in a city with many high-rise buildings. Especially in the spring of March, when wicker flies, citizens who come to take photos and watch can be seen everywhere next to Dongfeng Canal, and colorful photos are instantly fixed into eternity.
As a river lover, I have deep feelings with Dongfeng Canal. I remember when I just graduated, my unit was in a tall building next to Dongfeng Canal, and I would meet Dongfeng Canal every time I went to work. I have written many articles about Dongfeng Canal, especially the heartbreaking scene when it dries up. Later, the local military and civilians carried out dredging and renovation, and built a number of suspension bridges on the canal, which facilitated pedestrians on both sides of the strait and added beautiful scenery to the city.
Because it is not far away, I often take my family to the Dongfeng Canal to play. Whenever there are unhappy things or troubles in my heart, I will sit alone on the bench on the bank of Dongfeng Canal for a while to sort out my tired mood and find my confidence. Dongfeng Canal is like a "punching bag", and it can always listen patiently to the people around it. Although it is silent, it can always make people feel that it has been paying attention to, listening to and blessing us, hoping that we will live better and better.
At present, Zhengzhou municipal government has built Dongfeng Canal into an urban ecological landscape corridor integrating flood control, ecology, landscape, culture and sightseeing. Every morning or evening, or in the leisure time on weekends, there are citizens playing and walking on both sides of Dongfeng Canal, as well as children chasing and playing, laughing and being very lively.
Wandering by the rivers in the city, our hearts are no longer lonely, because these rivers carrying endless stories and history of the city are always so docile and friendly, always willing to listen to our stories, or our joys and sorrows. Relying on the rivers of the city, our life becomes more warm and colorful.
The rivers in these cities are entrusted with the feelings of citizens, decorated with dreams of flying, shaping the appearance of cities and nourishing their development. If the city is a book, the river is its girdle. If you want to know a city, please read its rivers first!
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