Out and About in Beautiful Beijing

Wandering the winding, atmospheric hutong of Beijing, whether on foot or in the back of a cycle-powered rickshaw, offers an unforgettable flavour of what is special about China's capital city.

Day trips outside the city offer another enticing pastime as spring temperatures continue to rise.

Whether driving, cycling or hopping abroad one of the many buses linking the city with scenic spots and visitor attractions, there's certainly no shortage of things to do and see.

The Yinshan (Silver Mountain) Pagoda

This hilly forest area is made up of black granite and is often topped with snow. Amongst the pagodas, five date back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) while two others were first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Evergreen trees help make it one of Beijings favourite scenic spots with visitors. A community of monks and nuns once lived there, adding further historical interest to the attraction.

Drive, cycle or catch the bus to get there.

Routes: take bus 314, 357, 376, 345, 912, 919, then take a taxi.

Ticket: 15 yuan for low season, 20 yuan for peak.

Tel: 8972-6426

Tanzhe Temple

"First there was the Tanzhe Temple, then came Beijing", the saying goes.

Dating back 1,600 years, it is famous for its ancient pines, 72 pagodas and the room where the daughter of Kublai Khan lived when she entered the nunnery in the temple.

Routes: special tour bus 7 at Qianmen or Fuchengmen will get you there.

Ticket: 35 yuan.

Tel: 6086 1699, 6086-2244

Hongluo Temple (Red Snail Temple)

The largest Buddhist temple in North China features peony, gingko and a bamboo forest. In the Tang Dynasty, as two big red snails were seen glowing in the temple, gained it the name "red snail temple".

Routes: take bus 916 at Dongzhimen to Huairou District, then get there by special buses.

Ticket: 30 yuan.

Time: April 16-June 15

In the City

Dongyue Taoist Temple

Built in 1319, it exhibits a number of first-class cultural relics belonging to China including samples of famous Chinese calligraphy and clothing. This year, 300 relics reflecting the lives of people in ancient China are to be displayed until December 31. Visitors can also write down their prayers and hopes on red pieces of paper hanging from the balusters in the temple.

Routes: get off at Chaoyangmen Subway Station on the Loop Line, and then walk 600 metres to the east. Ticket: 10 yuan for adults, 5 yuan for students

Time: 8:30am-4:30pm (closed on Mondays)

Tel: 6551-0151, 6551-4148

Beijing Botanical Garden

World Famous Flowers Festival & Peach Blossom Festival

Routes: bus 331, 737, 904 will get you there.

Time: April 18-May 19 & April 8-May 19

Ticket: 5 yuan

Tel: 6259-1561

Beijing Yuyuantan Park

Cherry Blossom Festival

Ticket: 2 yuan

Time: April.

Routes: bus 323, 320, 114, 827, 727, 308, 52, Special 1, 4, 5 will take you there.

Tel: 6851-4447 ext. 293

Beijing Jinzhanxiang Tulip Garden

More than 100 varieties of tulip are grown in this garden. A windmill, water mill and hanging bridge make up a splendid representation of a scene from the Netherlands.

Routes: bus 418, 364, 735, 853 will take you there. It is west of Dongwei Lu, Chaoyang District.

Ticket: 15 yuan.

Tel: 8431-2466

Beijing's city flowers: the Chinese rose, and the chrysanthemum

Beijing s city trees: Oriental Arborvitae (Eastern Cedar), and Cypressus Sempervirens (Cypress)

Flowers blossoming in spring in Beijing

Woody plants: yulan, peach, apricot, Oriental cherry

Herbs: tulip, narcissus, hyacinth