The parks of Dongcheng District

Zhongshan Park

Add: West of Tian’anmen Square

Tel: (010) 6605-4594

Open: 6:30am-8:30pm (low season), 6:30am-9pm (peak season)

Buses: 1,2,4,5, 9, 10, 44, 48, 52, 53, 54, 59, 66

Zhongshan Park is situated to the west of Tian’anmen Square. Zhongshan Park (Zhongshan gongyuan). Named after China’s “Father of Democracy”, the park was originally called the "Sheji Altar". In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Emperor came twice a year to make sacrifices to the God of Earth and the God of Grain.

The inner altar at the centre of the park consists of a sacrificial altar and attached buildings. The outer altar is made up of surrounding halls and palaces. The sacrificial altar, symbolizing earth, is made up of five parts and colours, signifying the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, as master of all he surveys.

Constructed of wood, and originally called the Prayer Hall, Emperors would sit in contemplation there before a sacrifice. Dr Sun was laid to rest here in 1925.

Changpuhe Park

Changpuhe is also called Waijinshuihe, a pretty, renovated river park lying to the east of the Forbidden City. It was neglected along time and lay hidden under stone slabs and warehouses.

The renovation transformed a part of the heart of Beijing into prime recreational land. Beautiful flower gardens and a teeming river of goldfish are among its main attraction. There are now also courtyard-style restaurants and modern amenities.

The park is open all the time and truly one of the loveliest outdoors places in Beijing.

Ditan Park

Add: Di’anmenwai Dajie, Yonghegong Subway Station

Tel: (010) 6421-6870

Open: 6am-9pm

Buses: 13, 27, 104, 108, 116

Here you will find the Temple of Earth. Built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty and also known as the Fangzetan Altar, Ming and Qing Dynasty Emperors offered sacrifices to the God of Earth there. Today’s visitors can see re-enactments of Qing Dynasty ceremonies, choreographed in accordance with real procedures under the reign of Emperor Qianlong.