PARKS

Beijing has some really beautiful places where you can spend contemplative time either walking or resting. Here we select some of the Beijing's most well known green areas.

1. Beihai Park 北海公园

This very large park northwest of the Forbidden City is half water and half land. The lake was actually excavated during the Jin Dynasty, (12^th–13th centuries). Now any visitor can rent swan paddle boats and explore the lake and its environs. In the winter the lake is frozen and ice skates are available for rental.

Kublai Khan is the reputed original creator of the park. An extraordinary decorated jade vase which was presented to him in 1265 is exhibited in the Round City just inside the southern entrance to the park.

Address: Northwest of the Forbidden City, Xicheng District

西城区故宫西北

Tel: +86 10 6403 1102

Opening hours: 6 a.m.–9:30 p.m. (peak season), 6:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (low season)

Bus: 5, 13, 42, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 118

 

2. The Palace of Prince Gong 恭王府

The palace is Beijing's best-kept and biggest courtyard (siheyuan), it is said to be the model for Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Mansions.

Address: A 14, Liuyin Jie, Xicheng District

西城区柳荫甲14号

Bus/Subway: 13, 107, 111, 701, 801, 823

 

3. Ditan Park 地坛公园

Just north of the Lama Temple is Ditan Park, Temple of Earth. Built in 1530 it had a similar purpose to the Temple of Heaven. Ming and Qing emperors travelled here to make sacrifices each year on the summer solstice. Ordinary citizens were allowed on the grounds for the first time after 1911.

Address: A 2 Di'anmenwai Dajie, Yonghegong Subway Station，Chaoyang District

朝阳区地安门外大街甲2号

Tel: +86 10 6421 4657

Opening hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.

Bus: 13, 27, 104, 108, 116

 

4. Jingshan Park 景山公园

Want an extraordinary view of the city of Beijing and of the Forbidden City? On a clear day one should be able to see the western mountains as well as an all-encompassing view of the gold and vermilion Forbidden City. Jingshan Park is directly opposite the North Gate. For more than 700 years, this park served Ming and Qing dynasty emperors.

Once known as the Hall of Imperial Longevity, the Children's Palace now provides after-school activities for at least 1,000 children each day. Instruction in dancing, singing, theatre, instrumental music, painting and sports are provided.

Address: North of the Forbidden City, 44 Jingshanxi Jie, Xicheng District

西城区景山西街44号，故宫后门对面

Tel: +86 10 6404 4071

Opening hours: 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. (low season), 6 a.m.–9 p.m. (peak season)

Bus: 58, 101, 103, 111, 124, 812, 814, 819

 

5. Ritan Park 日坛公园

In the centre of the southern embassy area and north of the Friendship Store is Ritan Park, Temple of the Sun.

The park was originally the site of a 16^th-century altar where emperors made sacrificial offerings to the sun god.

Address: 6 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区日坛北路6号

Tel: +86 10 8563 5038

Opening hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.

Bus: 1, 4, 28, 43, 57, 120

 

6. Grand View Garden 大观园

Before visiting the Grand View Garden, a visitor should read the 18^th-century classic Chinese novel A Dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin. The Garden area was designed and built in the 1980's as a set of a most successful television production.

The Chinese name for the garden is Daguanyuan; it is located in Xuanwu District. The area is a quiet getaway to walk through and relive the novel. There are many paths that lead you around a lake.

Address: Nancaiyuan Jie, Xuanwu District

宣武区南菜园街

Tel: +86 10 6354 4994

Opening hours: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bus: 19, 59, 56, 423, 112, 351

 

7. Taoranting Park 陶然亭公园

Taoranting Park is a truly established old neighbourhood park. When it was completely redesigned in 1952 excavations revealed that settlements existed as far back as the 3rd century BC. Unlike other parks that were only for the use of the emperor and his family, this park was available to everyone. During the Qing Dynasty the Taoran Pavilion was a popular meeting place for poets and other writers.

Address: 19 Taiping Jie, Xuanwu District

宣武区太平街19号

Tel: +86 10 6353 5704

Opening hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Bus: 20, 40, 59, 102, 122, 106, 819

 

8. Fragrant Hills Park 香山

Fragrant Hills Park, the site of several Ming and Qing dynasty temples and villas, is located in Northwest Beijing a little over an hour from the city centre.

This is a popular destination for Beijingers and visitors because of its spectacular views from its highest peak that rises nearly 2,000 feet (609.6 metres) above sea level. The peak may be reached on foot or by a chairlift. The botanical gardens, Temple of Brilliance and the Indian-styled Azure Clouds Temple are some of the sites worth visiting. Late fall, when the leaves are turning red, is a wonderful time to visit.

From the 12th to the end of the 18th centuries, the Hills were a favourite hunting retreat for emperors.

Address: At the foot of Xishan Hill, Haidian District

海淀区西山脚下

Tel: +86 10 8259 0297

Opening hours: 6 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Bus: 331, 360, 904, 737

 

9. Zhongshan Park 中山公园

The northern boundary of this interesting park borders the moat of the Forbidden City. During imperial times during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, the Altar of Earth and Grain were located here. Emperors made twice-yearly visits offerings to the gods of the fields and agriculture twice a year.

Now there is also a wonderful children's play area shaded by ancient cypress trees extremely popular with families.

Address: West of Tian'anmen, Dongcheng District

东城区天安门广场西侧

Tel: +86 10 6605 4594

Opening hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m. (high season), 6 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (low season).

Bus/Subway: 1,2,4,5, 9, 10, 44, 48, 52, 53, 54, 59, 66, Tian'anmen Subway Station

 

10.Changpuhe Park 菖蒲河公园

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

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

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

Address: Nachizi Dajie, Dongcheng District

东城区南池子大街

 

11. Beijing Botanical Garden 北京植物园

The 400-hectare Beijing Botanical Garden is located at the foot of the Western Hills in Northwest Beijing. Along with a large variety of plants, the garden has Asia's largest greenhouse.

Address: Wofosi Road, Xiangshan, Haidian District

海淀区卧佛寺路

Tel: +86 10 6259 1283

Opening hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bus/Subway: 318, 333, 360

 

12.Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园

Chaoyang Park is the largest afforested metropolitan park built in Beijing, offering numerous attractions and superbly maintained flower and grass areas.

Address: 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District

朝阳区农展南路1号

Tel: +86 10 6506 5409

Open: 6:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

Bus/Subway: 115, 302, 710, 705, 988, 976

 

13.Blue Zoo Beijing 工体富国海底世界

This zoo is best known for Beijing's first saltwater aquarium. Visitors get a great view of a diverse collection of sea creatures by walking through Asia's largest (120-metre) transparent underwater tunnel. You can see 6,000 sea creatures from all over the world.

Address: South Gate of Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang District

朝阳区工体南门

Tel: +86 10 6593 5263

Open: 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Bus/Subway: 110, 120, 118, 403