Beijing: People playing in the Xiaolong River, a popular online city, are like dumplings being dropped into the water
2024-08-14
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Despite the warning signs erected nearby, many people still chose to go swimming in the river. Photo by our reporter Zhang Yu
Since the beginning of midsummer, Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park in Fengtai District, Beijing has become a popular choice for many citizens and tourists to cool off, especially the Xiaolong River in the park, which combines swimming, paddle boarding, diving and other sports, becoming a new Internet celebrity check-in spot. Many citizens think this is a rare free water park, but some people think the water quality in the river is unsanitary and unsafe for outdoor swimming.
A reporter recently conducted an on-site investigation and found that this "Internet celebrity river" is actually not suitable for playing in the water or swimming. Although the relevant management department has erected warning signs, broadcast reminders and staff patrolled the river to dissuade tourists from entering the water, it still cannot stop the enthusiasm of tourists. "We dissuaded them, but they didn't listen" and "There were too many people and we couldn't stop them"... The staff were quite helpless.
Men, women and children swim in the river beside the warning sign
Last Sunday, the weather was hot and humid in the afternoon, and the Xiaolong River attracted many citizens. Even Huaifang Road near the river was congested.
After entering the park, the trail along the Xiaolong River is crowded with people. There is a camping tent every three steps and a picnic mat every five steps. In between are vendors renting paddle boards and swimming rings, selling grilled sausages and water toys, and even charging for simple changing rooms. The Xiaolong River is like "dumplings being cooked in water", with men, women, young and old, and even pet dogs, all enjoying the cool moment.
Continuing along the river, we can see a bridge where many swimmers line up and stand on the bridge railings. They dive into the river and cheers and applause ring out from all around. "Beijing also has 'diving masters', they really know how to do it." A citizen watching the fun nearby called this kind of diving "fish frying" as he watched the water splash.
Everyone was having so much fun that the warning signs and broadcast prompts were "ignored".
Along the river, there are six or seven warning signs, saying "Dangerous water depth, please do not play, swim, or fish in the river." On the bridge, in addition to a banner that reads "Prevent drowning," a loud speaker plays a reminder in a loop: "No high diving, thank you for your cooperation."
A man once jumped from a bridge and broke his head
Is Xiaolong River suitable for swimming? This question has caused great controversy on social media, with netizens focusing on two issues: Is the river safe? Is the water clean?
Regarding the first question, a citizen who was swimming in the river said that the Xiaolong River is about 2.5 meters deep, the riverbed has been hardened, there is less silt, but there are aquatic plants. "This water depth is indeed a bit deep for children or people who can't swim, especially children, it is best to put on a lifebuoy or life jacket, and parents need to watch closely."
But for "diving enthusiasts", this place seems "not deep enough". A few days ago, a video of a man diving into the Xiaolong River and breaking his head went viral online. In the video, the man jumped off the bridge and plunged into the river. When he floated up, people around him exclaimed "bleeding" and quickly pulled him ashore to bandage him to stop the bleeding.
In addition, compared with regular swimming pools, Xiaolong River does not have dedicated lifeguards and is not equipped with more professional life-saving equipment. Although there are many patrolling security guards on both sides of the river, they can only quietly "observe" people swimming and diving in the river.
Regarding the second question, the warning sign of Xiaolong River shows that its water is mainly recycled water. According to the information, recycled water is only used for industrial, environmental and municipal miscellaneous purposes and is not suitable for direct human contact.
The water quality is medium water and swimming in the river is not recommended
Is it okay to swim in Xiaolong River? The reporter interviewed the park and river management department. The staff of Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park clearly stated: "The Xiaolong River section in the park is medium water, not suitable for direct contact with the skin, and swimming in the river is not recommended. We discouraged people from swimming at the beginning, but now we can't control it because there are too many people coming to swim."
"We have been sending out patrols to dissuade and guard against it, but we can't stop it." Regarding the Xiaolong River, which has become an "Internet celebrity", a staff member of the Fengtai District Water Affairs Department said, "It is not recommended for citizens to swim in the river. Although the reclaimed water and recycled water are treated, there is no guarantee that there are no harmful substances in them. There are frequent rainfalls in summer, and as a flood channel, the Xiaolong River will also collect various types of surface sewage."
Staff said that if people are exposed to or immersed in this type of water for a long time, it may cause discomfort such as sore eyes. "Especially for the elderly and children with weak body resistance, swimming in the river is not recommended. If you go into the river, it is recommended to rinse the whole body with clean water."
"Currently, there is no official document or standard to determine whether open waters are safe and hygienic for citizens to carry out underwater activities, so citizens are not recommended to swim in the river. Moreover, it is the flood season, and from a safety perspective, citizens are not recommended to carry out activities such as swimming in the river." said a staff member of the municipal water affairs department.
Journalist's Notes
How to balance water-loving enthusiasm and safety
Every summer, some natural lakes and artificial rivers where swimming is prohibited are always visited by citizens who are enthusiastic about water activities. Once they are dissuaded, some people will complain: "They are so strict. It's not easy to find a place to play in the water for free."
It is true that there is a lot of joy in free water activities, but safety and hygiene issues cannot be ignored. Once a safety accident such as drowning occurs, it is an unbearable burden for the families involved. So, how should citizens balance their enthusiasm for water activities with safety and hygiene?
For waters where swimming is explicitly prohibited by laws and regulations, such as water source protection areas, management departments should strictly enforce the law and supervise. For waters where swimming is not explicitly prohibited by laws and regulations, management departments should comprehensively consider factors such as safety and water quality. If it is not suitable for swimming, warnings and barriers should be set up in advance, and action should not be taken until it becomes a "net-famous river" and there are so many people that it is impossible to dissuade them. If a river section is suitable for swimming, it can be considered to plan more swimming venues in waters with conditions to meet the citizens' needs for water.
It is better to drain than to block, and it is better to guide than to drain. Only by opening up more safe and hygienic "natural swimming pools" can citizens' passion for water be fully released.
