Ningguo Zhongjin River: Forgotten in the Urban-Rural Fringe, Yet So Poetic in Scenery!

Within Ningguo City, there are three rivers: Xijin River, Dongjin River, and Zhongjin River. After reaching the north of Ningguo City, the three rivers converge and flow into Shuiyang River, becoming one of the tributaries of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The flow of Zhongjin River is much smaller than that of Dongjin River and Xijin River, so it is generally overlooked.

Zhongjin River originates from Xixia Town in this city and has a relatively simple water system. Starting from Xixia Town, it passes through Zhufeng and reaches Jishan Village and Jinnan Village in the south of Ningguo City. It is one of the true mother rivers of Ningguo.

Due to many factors such as geographical location, transportation accessibility, and ecological conditions, the area along Zhongjin River has rarely been developed or utilized. Therefore, the riverside areas retain their original ecological scenery. Except for Ningnan Road, a city road that crosses the river, no other urban facilities have been built here. Over time, it has become a forgotten river in the urban-rural fringe of Ningguo.

I thought that since Zhongjin River and its surroundings had been forgotten, it must be very desolate. But when I arrived at the bank of Zhongjin River, I saw a picturesque and poetic landscape. It was hard to imagine such scenery in an urban-rural fringe area. The contrast between the distant national development zone and the nearby pristine nature creates a highly striking visual effect. Quite interesting, isn't it?

The nearly hundred-year-old Laozhongjin Bridge could no longer meet the demands of rapidly developing social and economic needs. Two hundred meters south of the old bridge, this new Zhongjin Bridge was built. The new bridge is a river-crossing bridge on Ningguo's municipal road.

After the new bridge was completed, the area under it became a great summer retreat for local villagers. By the river, people can be faintly seen holding fishing rods, angling — a poetic scene of 'fishing alone on a cold river' emerges.

The new Zhongjin Bridge we see now is over 200 meters long, designed with a standard of two-way six lanes, plus two-way non-motor vehicle lanes and sidewalks, totaling ten lanes. It is a fast urban thoroughfare from Ningguo city center to Hangzhou, Anji, and Shanghai.

Dashantou is the highest mountain along Ningnan Road and Zhongjin River. Zhongjin River flows around Dashantou in a loop, then heads northeast of the city to Helixi. The overall layout of mountains surrounding water forms a good feng shui pattern for this city, promising favorable future development.

The new Zhongjin Bridge serves as an urban arterial bridge and a connection between the passing traffic and the city center, while the old Zhongjin Bridge is now used as a pedestrian and cycling bridge for Jishan Village. Standing on the old bridge, one can see the new Zhongjin Bridge opposite.

Here, not only is Zhongjin River as beautiful as a poem or painting, but even the rural road leading to Jishan Village is so fresh and comfortable. Perhaps we have grown tired of the concrete and steel of the city? In a small city like Ningguo, being able to come here often to experience the rural atmosphere is delightful, isn't it?

A forgotten river like Zhongjin River can unexpectedly be so beautiful. What words can describe it? How about using the clichéd 'picturesque and poetic'?