Tangshan's New Look and Old Charm – Leisure Life Along the Tangshui River

Travel date: 2020.5

Places visited: Tangshui River bank, Tangquan Lake Park, Tangquan Lake, Tangshan Meiling Mansion Site, Tangshan Bailian Outlets, Jinwu Hot Spring Park, Ziqing Lake

People often say, "It only takes 21 days to form a habit." This year has been extraordinary. Because of COVID-19, it has more or less changed everyone's lifestyle, habits, and even attitude toward life. It began with a relative lockdown, then gradually returned to work and production. During the lockdown days, I slowly learned to be alone—at first unaccustomed, then gradually accepting it, and later truly enjoying the freedom and peace of solitude. After returning to work and production, suddenly being in contact with many people and a lot of work made me a bit fearful. The lost time always has to be made up, so after resuming work, it’s a six-day work week. After working for more than ten days straight, on my first day off, a whole day of household chores made me want to escape. I couldn’t leave Nanjing—time wouldn’t allow it, and my workplace also wouldn’t allow it—so I chose Tangshan! After the epidemic situation improved, throughout March and the first half of April, I thoroughly explored the outskirts of Nanjing and discovered another side of the city, the kind of beauty I hadn’t known before. I’ve grown fond of Tangshan, east of Nanjing’s city center, a place being shaped into a world-class hot spring town. A friend had invested in a condo there a few years ago, used as a short-term rental, but it had been sitting empty due to the pandemic. So I took my laptop and a few books, came here to rest for a few days, write a bit, and enjoy some me-time.

A Little Haven for My Time: Tangshan Dongjun Little Deer’s Home

Address: No. 1 Shengtang Avenue, Tangshan New Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing

After scouring every nook and cranny of Tangshan in March and April, I’m quite familiar with the area. Following the address Little Deer gave me, I arrived at Tangshan Dongjun. The location is great, at the intersection of Shengtang Avenue and the Nanjing-Hangzhou Highway. From Maqun in Nanjing, I took Provincial Road 122, a fast link with no traffic lights, smooth driving, and no tolls—twenty minutes and I was there. There are both surface and underground parking lots, very convenient.

This is a condo with direct hot spring water access on Shengtang Avenue. The planned site is about 50,000 square meters, a one-stop leisure and wellness resort center.

Some apartments here are managed by a few companies running hot spring hotel businesses, some private owners group several units for daily rental, and others, like those seeking a quiet retreat, treat this as a holiday home. My friend Little Deer used to let professionals manage the place, but it was unused due to the pandemic.

I went upstairs, swiped the card, and opened the door. By the entrance, there’s a handy hook on one side.

To the right of the entrance are the vanity and bathroom, to the left, a row of kitchen cabinets.

The toiletries in the vanity area give a very homey feel.

First impression of the interior: a typical condo—kitchen, bedroom, lounge area, and a big balcony.

There’s no gas supply, so cooking relies on electricity. Little Deer’s place is well-equipped with an induction cooker, pots, pans, and all the utensils you need.

A large bed sits in the middle, and the side near the balcony is divided by a sliding curtain, creating another space.

A desk and a two-seater sofa. The sofa can also be pulled out into a small bed, so even a family of three can vacation here with no problem.

On the small coffee table in front of the sofa, there are several chess sets.

On the desk, a small box holds various remote controls neatly arranged for easy access. There are also a few Tangshan travel guides. Thoughtfully, a thermometer and face masks—so frequently used during the pandemic—are provided, showing meticulous care.

Opening the cabinet, I found common household medicines, IKEA candle lamps, and every domestic essential complete.

Little Deer’s place has many IKEA elements, and as an IKEA fan, I absolutely love it.

Let me snap a picture of my little bag.

On the sun-drenched balcony, a bathtub is placed. That’s what makes this condo special. Tangshan Dongjun has direct hot spring water piped into each unit, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Lying at home and soaking in a hot spring is no longer a fantasy.

This is a room with a view. Standing on the balcony, I overlook Tangshan, and familiar sights come alive. On my right is the Mine Park; below to the left is the Tangshui River, and across the river is the Tangshan International Beach Volleyball Park—places I’ve passed by and grown to love in recent days. Looking out from this height, I now see that Tangshan Dongjun sits right at the core of Tangshan New Town. I’m happy for my friend’s investment; they have such good vision.

In the center of the balcony is a hot spring bathtub, and in one corner, there’s also a shower stall, very convenient.

With 24-hour hot spring water, I can bathe in sunlight, gaze at the starry sky, and let my thoughts drift. But most of the time, I just soak here, thinking about nothing, just zoning out and emptying my mind. Here, I savor the beauty and undisturbed tranquility.

At night, the effect of the main light.

Thankful for my friend’s thoughtfulness, giving me a hideaway where I can escape and enjoy freedom and an unbothered life.

When I’m tired of zoning out, I head outside. Downstairs, I take a close look at the exterior of Tangshan Dongjun.

Tangshui River Scenic Belt:

Address: Along the Tangshui River, Tangshan

Tangshan, the ancient town famous for its hot springs, has a river running through it, flowing quietly—"the river came before the town," and this is the Tangshui River before my eyes. Tangshan Dongjun lies next to the Tangshui River.

On the southeast side of Tangshan Dongjun, a broad landscaped strip runs alongside the river. I follow this path, walking aimlessly northeast along the water.

The roadside trees are neatly arranged in an orderly pattern.

A full view of Tangshan Dongjun from the Tangshui River.

At the southeast corner of the river is the Tangshan International Beach Volleyball Park, which I explored in detail some time ago. There’s a detailed introduction in this travelogue: https://you.ctrip.com/travels/nanjing9/3942008.html

The Tangshui River converges here into a single stream. Before joining, it has two branches: one comes from Tangquan Reservoir near Shengtang Avenue, and the other originates north of the Tangshan Ape Man Cave scenic area, flowing along Tangquan West Road and Tangquan East Road, making a big turn before merging with the other branch into one river that continues westward.

I first choose to walk north along the west branch of the Tangshui River. Here, water gates are set up for flood control.

Perhaps for water management, the gate is closed, and this stretch is dry, everything exposed before my eyes.

The greenery on both banks is soothing to the eyes and soul.

Tall buildings line the riverbank. Among the greenery, a gray-white building with a red roof houses the Tangshan Street Service Center for residents on Ruoshui Road. The functional plan for this Tangshui River area positions it as the waterside living area centered on public services in Tangshan New Town. The entire area follows an overall spatial structure of "one heart, one axis, T-belt, and three zones." The "heart" is the new town's public service core, and this sizable Tangshan Street Service Center provides high-level, high-quality public services and business office functions for all of Tangshan New Town.

A bridge leads eastward to Ruoshui Road.

A sluice gate on the river controls the water flow.

From this bridge, the buildings of Tangshan Dongjun are in view.

Below the bridge, flowers bloom in profusion.

Blooming Chinese roses.

North of the sluice gate, the water is abundant, and the river channel teems with life.

A boardwalk along the riverbank.

Take in the scenery from the boardwalk.

The scenery on both sides is quiet and elegant.

Following the river to Shengtang Avenue, I find it bustling with intense construction.

Baili Huazhi Hotel on Tangquan Avenue. Tangshan’s rich hot spring resources have led to an abundance of hotels here, offering various grades and tastes. With such a variety, there’s surely one that suits you.

Continue north along Shengtang Avenue, leaving the west branch of the Tangshui River and approaching the east branch. In front of Tangshan Mansion, construction is in full swing.

Address: No. 100 Yingbin Avenue, Tangshan Subdistrict, Nanjing, Jiangsu

On the east side of Shengtang Avenue lies Tangquan Lake Park, a very large area.

It’s an open park.

The grounds are expansive.

Green grass, dotted with flowers.

The sky is azure blue, the earth lush green. On the green hillock, several ginkgo trees stand straight, as if straining to pierce the sky.

Tangshan has gentle waters and rugged rocks. Under the blue sky, in this large park dominated by green, an artistic stone wall built from huge rocks rises.

I take a selfie with the rock wall as the backdrop. I’ve changed to a new camera, and judging from landscape shots, the color reproduction is much better than before. Let’s test it for portraits.

Half of the park is still under construction.

I don’t venture closer; I just continue strolling on this side. This part of Tangquan Lake has been turned into a vast, sunlit lawn, with various plants creating highly artistic tableaus.

Sheltered by tall trees, the flowers appear so petite and tender.

And this one, too, lies leisurely on the green lawn, soaking up the sun.

To the north of the sunlit lawn is a dam, and beyond it should be Tangquan Lake, the source of the Tangshui River.

Climbing the hillock, as expected, a dam. On the other side is Tangquan Reservoir.

At the far end of the dam is the well-known Jiangsu Tangshan Workers’ Sanatorium.

Standing on the dam, I look back at the Tangquan Lake Park scenery I just passed through.

Facing the reservoir, undulating mountains gently embrace this expanse of clear water. The interplay of mountain and water is nature’s most harmonious beauty. The water surface is calm as a mirror, yet a faint breeze stirs tiny ripples. Under the sunlight, countless icy sparks seem to glisten on the water. The lake reflects the blue sky, white clouds, the mountains, and the buildings—an image both rich and serene.

Tangquan Lake is shaped like the letter "Y." Between its two branches is a small island, where the Donghu Lidao villa complex nestles against the hillside in terraced layers.

View Tangshan’s development from this angle. Tangquan Lake lies amid the rolling hills of Tangshan Community and Zuochang Community in Tangshan Subdistrict. The habitat of Tangshan people revolves around this river and lake. Residents can enjoy mountain and lake views the moment they step outside—or even without leaving home—with a gentle breeze, so very pleasant.

Project Introduction of Tangquan Reservoir.

Along the dam to the west side of the lake, one side is busy Shengtang Avenue with traffic, the other the peaceful and calm Tangquan Lake. This is the beautiful Tangshui River district, situated at the junction of Tangshan Old Street, the Tangshui River, and Tangquan Lake.

This is a lively waterfront promenade, using the lake’s natural curvature to create scenic paths, employing geological colors and terrain layers to highlight key landscape corridors and spaces.

The paths blend naturally with the waterfront environment, closely tied to the surrounding greenery, offering us healthy outdoor leisure opportunities.

The Tangshui River area’s planning structure of "one heart, one axis, T-belt, and three zones"—the T-belt is exactly the Tangshui River public landscape leisure belt I’ve been walking along. Along both banks of the Tangshui River, there are completed and under-construction T-shaped linear spaces combining public facilities and leisure landscapes.

The three zones refer to the areas divided by Tangquan Road and the Tangshui River: the commercial and business core zone, the Tangquan Lake residential zone, and the Tangshui River residential zone.

Because I was at home during the pandemic, I had the chance to visit Tangshan time and again. From its famous attractions to its streets and alleys, each step deepened my fondness into a deep affection. Not far from the city center, with convenient transport and easy access to daily necessities, it’s the wonderful scenery that truly captivates. Here, parks embrace the neighborhood; you see a park from your window, and when you stroll, you encounter rivers and lakes—a green living philosophy of being bathed in sunlight and fresh air 24/7. The beauty of the four seasons here evokes a spontaneous sense of wonder. I really envy my friend Little Deer for living in a place so naturally gifted as Tangshan.

The beautiful scenery makes me reluctant to go back inside. I notice on the map that the Tangshan Meiling Mansion site isn’t far from where I’m standing, so I decide to walk there. Tangshan is all about greenery. I head south along Shengtang Avenue.

Old houses along the street, with cascading trails of ivy like waterfalls.

The wrought iron windows are very artistic, and the bare vines cling to the walls, sprawling boldly.

A street sign; I don’t turn into the alley right away but instead head toward the red-roofed, clock-tower building to check it out.

Tangshan Tourist Service Center

Address: 100 meters northwest of the intersection of Shengtang Avenue and Linchang Road

Red brick walls and blue glass form the Tangshan Tourist Service Center. It’s large and imposing.

A small square with a fountain in front of the center.

The lobby is spacious, and I’m the only tourist. Apart from the staff taking temperatures at the door, there are few others.

Brochures of Tangshan tours.

A Tangshan souvenir shop on one side.

Unique local souvenirs.

Looking up at the Service Center building.

Nanjing Tangshan Meiling Mansion Site

Address: No. 38 Tanglin Road, Tangshan

Following navigation through a small lane, I find this Meiling Mansion.

But the current Nanjing Tangshan Meiling Mansion has been rebuilt into a three-star hotel simply named "Tangshan Meiling Mansion." It doesn’t match what I had imagined in my mind. I snap two photos and leave.

A few kilometers to walk back, and I decide to return along the Tangshui River on foot. Walking lets me see more scenery.

Tangshan Bailian Outlets

Address: No. 99 Shengtang Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing

I didn’t come to shop but to find food. Tangshan’s dining is concentrated on either side of the old street, but personally, I find the flavors quite similar everywhere. With the development of tourism, prices on the old street have become less affordable. So I gave up eating there and came to the Outlets instead. I thought about browsing the shops first, but one glance at the scene made me decisively abandon that idea. Crowds—at the Nike store, people were queuing up in long lines, with security guards controlling entry, letting a few out and a few in. It’s a marketing tactic usually seen in luxury stores, but its use at Nike is truly rare now. It wasn’t a promotional gimmick; purely because of the huge flow of people, they took safety measures. Before five o’clock, I simply went to Bifengtang for Cantonese cuisine. Cantonese food has always been my favorite, and after today’s meal, the conclusion remains the same. Eating before five was smart, because by mealtime, this place also had a queue.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, a colorful Ferris wheel.

Jinwu Hot Spring Park

Address: Meiquan Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing

This park I love—I’ve always visited it during the day. Little Deer insisted I experience it at night because of its water screen film. I’ve mostly seen water screens as a backdrop in nighttime performances. A pure water screen movie must be pretty special. And it’s free! When I arrived, quite a few people were already there, and local residents kept pouring in. Judging by the look, almost all were locals; tourists like me were rare. I marvel at how fortunate Tangshan residents are—they have so many high-standard, distinctive parks. The parks are high-grade, blending natural resources with modern technology and design, and they’re free. Locals can enjoy these beautiful, comfortable resources as naturally and effortlessly as if they were in their own homes.

Under the tree shadows and lights, the waiting crowd.

Not far away, the Jinwu Pavilion.

The Outlets’ Ferris wheel under the night sky.

The deep blue night sky is tranquil and distant. So blue! So calm! It gazes at us as deeply as innocent eyes. Points of light in the sky and on the water shimmer like multicolored fireworks falling to earth.

These lights twinkle like fireflies adorning the lake surface.

Those lights blaze like ignited fireworks, setting an area aglow.

I’ve seen water screen films in different cities, so I had no preconceptions. My friend highly recommended it, so I came to see. With no expectations or assumptions, my inner response was wildly powerful. The music, the lights, the water shadows, the scale—utterly breathtaking, instantly stirring all my senses.

The huge water screen creates a strong sense of dimensionality and space. A deep male voice accompanies the images, telling the origin of Tangshan: Legend says that at the northern foot of Tangshan is Shewu Mountain, where the archer Houyi shot down the suns; the suns fell into Tangshan, thus giving rise to Tangshan’s hot springs. The figure seems to soar into the sky or descend from it, blending with the natural night sky, creating an ethereal and dreamlike sensation. With laser patterns added, the scene appears even grander and more majestic.

The elements of the golden crow and Houyi shooting the suns are among the main stories presented in Jinwu Hot Spring Park’s water screen film.

I got curious and, unsatisfied with sitting in front of the screen watching properly, I got up to circle around the water screen for a 360-degree exploration.

I closely inspected both the front and back of the water screen.

There are many ways to travel: traveling with family and friends, or gathering a lively group for a trip. But I, who prefer simplicity, don’t know when I started traveling solo, and I’ve grown increasingly fond of such moments that are just for me. Solo travel is a personal, private kind of travel. It doesn’t have much to do with the destination, but everything to do with mood. It’s about pleasing oneself, so it’s almost a secret, incomparable. Because of a friend’s suggestion, my little Tangshan solo time came about unexpectedly. Soaking in the hot spring, having a private rendezvous with Tangshan’s intimate scenery, enjoying tranquility, and discovering more and better views. Livable Tangshan has beauty, a leisurely life—so what are you waiting for.......