Searching in Changying Park
On the evening of June 24, 2024, Monday, my wife came back early. She originally said that the reports for the two classes she filled out today were missing and planned to take a short break before redoing them, which would take at least two hours. However, when she opened the computer, she found them all! Feeling happy, she decided to relax a bit. She initially planned to take a walk in Jingcheng Liyuan, but halfway there, I suggested going to Changying Park instead. She said it would be better to ride an electric bike. When we got on the electric bike, we found it only had 49% battery left. I was worried we wouldn't make it back, but she said, "Let's bring the charger, and when we get to Changying, we can look for a charging station from there." Following the navigation, we arrived nearby but couldn't see the park's entrance. We asked a person nearby, and they told us we had to walk a bit further. After walking about half a station, we indeed reached the Changying Marathon Sports Park.
The park's entrance is quite grand yet simple, with white walls and red characters. Inside, there are many trees and flowers, bright yellow and very beautiful. There is a cultural square where many people are dancing square dance, and even more people are running on the rubber track, with some riding bicycles (this park does not prohibit bicycles, so shared bikes can also be seen). We walked along the main road, not following the guided route, winding around without finding the end of the park. We reached a nearly dried-up small creek, where there was an iron railing preventing people from going further. We walked along the railing and found a very small iron gate, which led us to the creek, so we went in.
As we walked, the creek gradually turned into a river, and the houses on both sides became lower and more desolate. Ahead, there was a group of people wearing light blue uniform cultural shirts. Seeing that the road ahead was still long, we asked them if this road was passable and where it led. A middle-aged man told us that there was a road leading south about three to five hundred meters ahead, which could accommodate vehicles, but there were no buses there yet. It turned out that this was a transfer station for "Zhongtong Express," and they all worked here, with over a thousand people at this station. They asked us how our environment was, and we said, "Very good! Excellent!"
Since they said the road was passable, we continued walking forward. Further ahead, the creek was still on the right, and on the left was a neatly arranged poplar forest, with few people walking. The poplar trees were sturdy and full; after walking about five hundred meters, we only encountered one lady coming towards us. We asked her about the road again, and she said there was a road to Dingfuzhuang ahead, and vehicles would be available not far from there.
As the sky darkened, dusk enveloped the surrounding poplar forest, creek, houses, and wildflowers, creating a sense of confusion, so we decided not to continue walking. Along the way, I took some photos. I really like places with unknown outcomes; there is always something new waiting for you ahead.
We were close to the main road, so we stopped. This place also looked like a park, with a rubber track. We saw some people moving around, so we followed them. After walking for a while, we realized we had turned back. Not daring to follow, the lady who had guided us appeared again and told us that we could reach the south gate of the park by following the path along the creek, so we obediently returned to the original path.
We were close to the main road, so we stopped. This place also looked like a park, with a rubber track. We saw some people moving around, so we followed them. After walking for a while, we realized we had turned back. Not daring to follow, the lady who had guided us appeared again and told us that we could reach the south gate of the park by following the path along the creek, so we obediently returned to the original path.
Up close, it was still a bright area; from a distance, it was an endless forest. According to the couple, the park covers an area of about over a thousand acres. Living nearby for over twenty years, this was our first time stepping into such a large park; it really felt like a waste of resources and a failure to enjoy.
The couple were local Hui people, and they said this park has been around for over ten years. They come here almost every day to take a walk. Now that their children are grown and they have fewer burdens, exercising is their top priority. Although they are Hui, they do not often go to the mosque, only visiting during major Islamic festivals. The mosque is generally not open to outsiders.
After walking for about half an hour and not knowing how many turns we took, we finally saw the flowers near the entrance and also spotted a small shop. Turning around, we were at the entrance. Our electric bike was still quietly waiting for us. My wife had been communicating with friends on her phone and caught up with us a little later. After she joined us, the couple also said their goodbyes and left. They were indeed very responsible.
Every place has its wonders, especially in these urban-rural fringe areas, where surprising scenery often emerges. We know a place name, but that is not true knowledge; to truly know, one must step onto that land, breathe in the fragrance of the soil, connect with the trees and flowers, and remember it all to truly understand and feel it.
June 26, 2024 (Wednesday)
Revised on July 5, 2024 (Friday)