Five Great Parks to Explore this October Holiday
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With the October Holiday bringing (relatively) clear skies and temperate weather, it's a great time to get out of the house and explore one of our city's many excellent parks.
Beijing boasts literally hundreds of parks, from small neighborhood gardens to massive municipal landscaping projects complete with lakes, sports facilities, and even theme parks.
Beihai Park (北海公园 běihǎi gōngyuán) is part of a chain of lakes created during the Ming and Qing era and is now one of the city's most popular urban parks. As befits a park with a famous lake, boating is the most popular activity, but there is plenty else to see and do. The view from just inside the north gate across the water to the White Dagoba (白塔寺 bái tǎ sì) is one of Beijing's most iconic vistas. While not as tall as nearby Jingshan (景山 jǐngshān), the view from the top of Qionghua Island (琼华岛 qiónghuá dǎo, where the White Dagoba resides) is worth the five-minute climb. The lakeshore also boasts a number of imperial studios and pavilions.
Address: 1 Wenjin Jie (South Gate), Xicheng District 西城区文津街1号 （南门）
Opening hours: 6.30am-9pm (April to October), 6.30am-8pm (November to March). Most interior sites are open from 9am-5pm
Price: RMB 10 in the summer (April to October), RMB 5 in winter (November to March) for park access. RMB 20 will buy a through-ticket (purchased outside the main gates) which also grants access to Qionghua Island and the Round City
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At close to 1.2 square miles, Chaoyang Park (朝阳公园 chāoyáng gōngyuán) is easily the largest within the Third Ring Road, complete with flower gardens, roller coasters, oddly placed baroque architecture, and plenty to see and snack on. As an expansive green space with diverse activities, Chaoyang Park is Beijing's premier urban retreat. Found a stone's throw from the Central Business District and the shopping streets of Sanlitun, this lush oasis offers a running track, amusement park, waterways, an outdoor stage, and varied art installations.
Address: 1 Nongzhanguan South Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南路1号
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm, last entry 8pm
Price: RMB 5 (plus additional tickets for activities); RMB 100 annual pass (requires a passport photo and your passport; can only be bought at main gates)
Qingnianhu Park (青年湖公园 qīngniánhú gōngyuán) may be best known for its pool but it also boasts careful landscaping, art sculptures, and a range of activities, including bumper cars, fishing, ice skating, fitness equipment, a pirate ship, and a mini-racing circuit. Hit the links with a small driving range or cool off at varied cafés or the park restaurant. In winter, the swimming pool transforms into a huge ice-skating rink, with skates, sleds, and ice-bikes all available for hire.
Address: Andeli Beijie, Dongcheng District 东城区安定门外安德里北街
Opening Hours: Daily, 6am-10pm (summer), 6am-9pm (winter); Water World: Daily, 9am-5pm (summer)
Contact information: 8411 6321; Beijing Youth Lake International Golf Club: 8411 6911; Water World: 8411 6321 ext 8032.
Price: Free (activities charged individually)
Not really a single temple, the Temple of Heaven (天坛 tiāntán) is an altar complex with a history dating back to the early 15th century. Probably the most famous building within the complex is the triple-tiered Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿 qínián diàn, pictured above), which graces many a Beijing promotional postcard. Those less interested in history (or crowds) can wander through the nearly 3 square kilometers of trees and gardens. The popularity of this park with local Beijingers, especially on weekend mornings, make it the perfect place to combine local Beijing culture with one of the city's most important imperial-era relics.
Address: Yongdingmennei Dajie (West Gate), Chongwen District 崇文区永定门内大街 （天坛西门）
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm (park), 8am-5pm (sites)
Price: RMB 15 in summer (April to October), RMB 10 in winter (November to March) for park access, RMB 35 for access to all sites in summer, RMB 28 in winter. Tickets can be purchased at the gate either at the ticket window or via WeChat by scanning QR codes posted nearby.
Originally called the Altar of Grain and Soil (社稷坛 shèjì tán), Zhongshan Park (中山公园 zhōngshān gōngyuán) was constructed in 1421 at about the same time as the adjacent Forbidden City. After the Qing Imperial court abdicated, the park was repurposed as a public space in 1914. In 1925, the body of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), aka Sun Zhongshan, lay in state in the main hall of the former altar complex and the park was renamed in his honor in 1928. With its shaded lanes and quiet spaces, Zhongshan Park offers a welcome respite from the heaving crowds jostling to get into the Palace Museum next door.
Address: Nanchang Jie (West Gate), Xicheng District 中山公园西门 西城区南长街
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm (park), 9am-5pm (sites)
Price: RMB 3 (RMB 10 During the Tulip Fair from late March to mid-May)
Photos courtesy of beijingholiday.com, Wikimedia, flickr.com, Jeremiah Jenne
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