Perched beside the winding Yongding River, Shougang Park rises as one of Beijing’s most distinctive landmarks. Once a bustling steel mill, this historic industrial complex has undergone stunning transformation.

Shougang Park features well-preserved industrial heritage including giant cooling towers, smokestacks and historic blast furnaces. It is home to Big Air Shougang, the iconic Winter Olympic venue. Scenic lakes, an elevated aerial walkway, a sci-fi theme park and sports facilities fill the site. The Liugonghui commercial district offers dining and shopping.

We've been to Shougang Park several times before but have never noticed the nearby hill.

On 16 Aug 2026, when we arrived at the riverside, we felt it was quite hot. Then we found a tree-lined trail leading to the hilltop with some nice Chinese-style buildings. To be honest, it was not until then that I realised there was actually a Shijingshan Hill in Shijingshan District. It took us only about 30 minutes to reach the top, rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the park and the Yongding River wetlands.

The stretch of the Yongding River beside Shougang stands apart from typical urban waterways. Following ecological restoration, the riverbank retains wild, unrefined charm, with gentle paths tracing the water’s edge. From the hilltop, you clearly see the twisting watercourse interspersed with grasslands and woodlands, free from heavily engineered concrete embankments. Riverside camping zones and cycling trails blend seamlessly into nature. Locals cycle, camp and stroll here, forming inviting public spaces bridging former industrial grounds and restored wetlands.

It's wonderful to see industrial heritage and Winter Olympic venues transformed into sports and entertainment facilities open for the public to enjoy.

There is even a theatre hosting acrobatic performances.

We had a delicious Yunnan meal at a nearby restaurant.

We were happy to see visitors still enjoying the park after dinner.

Yours Truly

Angie Guo - Charmission Travel