During the recent long holiday, Anfu Channel in Tanzhou Town, Zhongshan, hosted a variety of lively events. On the morning of the first day, several local dragon boat teams held a friendly race on the channel. As drums echoed across the water, the boats surged over the emerald waves, marking the start of the holiday with a vibrant display of folk tradition.

Along the 1.4-kilometer waterfront promenade, more than 60 food stalls attracted large crowds with their enticing aromas. Local farmers showcased quality produce irrigated by water from the channel, while young entrepreneurs offered coffee and desserts popular with younger visitors. The scenic waterfront also gave nearby businesses a significant boost.

This vibrant waterway is a prime example of Zhongshan’s recent achievements in ecological restoration. After years of effort, the city has transformed hundreds of waterways into scenic ecological and economic corridors, adding more than 1,200 hectares of attractive riverfront space for cultural and tourism development. During the long holiday, Zhongshan set up 103 venues and more than 1,000 stalls along dozens of waterways, hosting over 500 special events—turning the city’s thriving water ecology into a key driver of local economic growth.