A bird's-eye view of Yitong River in Changchun. [Photo/Cailian News]

Once plagued by pollution and ecological degradation, Yitong River, the mother river of Changchun, has undergone a remarkable transformation after years of comprehensive restoration and sustainable development.

Stretching 343.5 kilometers, Yitong River is a secondary tributary of the Songhua River. It flows 19.3 km through downtown Changchun.

As the city expanded rapidly, the river faced mounting pressure from deteriorating ecosystems, water pollution, and inadequate flood control. In response, Changchun adopted a holistic approach to watershed management, integrating the protection of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts.

Two waterbirds fly over Yitong River. [Photo/Cailian News]

The city has advanced riverside landscape development and implemented comprehensive watershed restoration. Since 2023, the project has been a key task in Changchun's three-year vitalization initiative, focusing on the coordinated improvement of water resources, water ecology, water quality, and water safety.

Restoration efforts have focused on pollution control, sewer network upgrades, river dredging, ecological rehabilitation, and flood prevention. These measures have delivered historic improvements in water quality, with all three national monitoring sections consistently meeting Class III standards.

The river's ecological revival has also enhanced biodiversity and improved public spaces. A 73-km riverside greenway now connects scenic landscapes across the city, while cultural, creative, and business districts along the river are injecting new vitality into urban development.