Beijing does not, to most of the world, register as a water city. Ask a traveler to picture the Chinese capital, and they will conjure up the Forbidden City's crimson walls, the Summer Palace's marble boat, or the labyrinth of hutong lanes.

But beneath this landlocked identity flow several major river systems that are etched into the city's very origin. The Daqing River, Yongding River and the Grand Canal thread their way through the capital, spilling into a network of tributaries that weave between high-rises and historical neighborhoods.

These waterways have shaped Beijing for millennia, with their indispensable role in transporting grain, defending dynasties, and giving rise to settlements.

Although suffering neglect in the late 20th century, these waters are being reclaimed through arduous protection efforts and ingenious design as cherished public spaces in the megacity, where people gather to slow down, breathe and remember that a solemn capital can be softened by water.

In mid-March, rows of boats start to glide away from Blue Harbor Pier on the Liangma River, cutting a gentle wake through the afternoon sunlight. On board, passengers lean against the rails, phones raised, capturing the scene unfolding around them.

Within minutes, the boat passes beneath Haoyun Bridge, known locally as the "proposal bridge".

"This section is my favorite," says Zhang Xiaoyu, a staff member with the Liangma River Cruise Center.

"You transition from an urban cityscape to an expansive natural view. The visual impact is unlike anything else in Beijing."

This 40-minute cruise along the Liangma River has become one of the capital's most sought-after experiences. Last year alone, the river attracted over 10 million visitors.