Headed by Shao Hong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a group of non-Communist members of the committee made an inspection tour of Beijing and Shanxi province from Oct 14 to 18 to assess cultural progress around the Yongding River Basin. 

As Beijing's mother river, the river has nurtured a splendid history and culture. In addition, the river is also an important water conservation area, an ecological barrier and an ecological corridor in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. 

During their stay in Beijing, the inspection team watched an exhibition on culture about the river at the Capital Museum of China, and visited the offices of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee which were built on the site of Shougang Group's old factories. 

The team then headed to the Museum of Xizhou Yandu Site and Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian to learn about the civilization and culture related to the river basin. 

Moreover, through their inspection tour in Guanting Reservoir, Sanjiadian Reservoir and the Guishui River, the members gained a deep understanding of the management and protection of river ecology. 

The Sanggan River, located in Shanxi province, is the main source of the upper reaches of the Yongding River. Along the ancient riverway are many historical sites and attractive natural scenery. 

The inspection team visited the Guangwu tombs of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD220), the Pagoda of Fogong Temple, Xuankong Temple, and Hengshan Mountain in Shanxi, gaining an understanding of the current situation and protection of cultural heritage along the Sanggan River. 

At the source of the Sanggang River and Cetian Reservoir, the team also learned about the ecological restoration and management of the Sanggan River Basin.