Ruyi lake, Zhengzhou, Henan, China;
Credit: Chronicle.lu
Continuing my series of articles on my recent visit to Henan proving in China, this one focuses on Zhengzhou, the capital.
ZHENGZHOU
The city of Zhengzhou has a population of around 13 million people, with 10 million in the metropolitan area.
My initial impressions of Zhengzhou are still that it's a large Chinese city, sprawling and with plenty of high-rise apartment blocks, office building and hotels, with wide, multi-lane thoroughfares and much traffic, with Chinese cars now probably equating foreign brands on the roads, with many preferring scooters/motorcycles and bicycles, with Vel'oh-equivalent rent-a-bikes available, with users availing of the very wide cycle lanes.
What was striking though, was that it has plenty of trees and shrubs throughout, and that many central reservations and other roadside flower beds, as well as gardens around buildings, had substantive rose displays, offering vibrant colours from yellows to various shades of red.
And I also noticed that it has adopted, even more since my last visit, a "take-out" and delivery culture so popular now particularly in the US and other countries; one strange experience was when we found the Luckin Coffee shop at the hotel just closing up for the evening, we ordered out for a delivery of coffee… to a coffee shop.
Ruyi Lake
Zhengzhou city's centrepiece is Ruyi Lake, around which are multi-level walkways and a number of street vendors, with the "Big Corn" tower in the background. Not much had changed from 2024 apart from the tower now being illuminated by light displays, and there now being a boat tour around the lake and along the canals, called "Boat Tales of Zhengzhou": this 80-minute experience was by electric boats in keeping with modern technological advancements and included around 20 mini shows with a mix of aquatic projections and live performances as we passed by small islands and moored boats, all with spectacular lighting displays. The scenery and tour reminded me of Marina Bay in Singapore.
Beilonghu Wetland Park
This public park is nestled between large buildings in the city's financial district, sort of comparable to Central Park in New York City. It is spread over just 6 km2 and comprises walkways around ponds /lakes, liked by three rivers, with the largest offering three islands.
It had been conceived due to the wetlands area, and the various lotus lillies, etc., had been left untouched. The project also saw the city include various playgrounds for children as well as some amusements, making it very family-friendly. Golf carts and mini trains are available for rides too.
The waters contain many carp, and birdlife include mandarin ducks and 140 mute swans, amongst others. Songbirds when we were there included the Common Greenshank and the Common Mynah. Our guide explained that various volunteer groups from the neighbourhood community help with conservation actions and biodiversity initiatives.
For the main / introductory article on my trip to Henan, please click here.
