12 Beijing Parks for Picnics, Hikes, and More

Is there any better time for a spring outing in Beijing than May? The sky is blue, the parks are in full bloom, their grass lush and soft… and after such a long, bleak winter, we’re all in need of a little Vitamin D! What’s more, we get the luxury of this fabulous, long May Day holiday to fit in as much as possible! So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Beijing’s best spots for family outings and picnics.

Chaoyang Park

The largest urban park inside Beijing’s fourth ring road. Within a minute or two of entering the park, you’re already poised to relax lakeside, with plenty of surrounding woods and grass to explore before plopping yourself down for a leisurely picnic. While there’s plenty of areas to set up, folks seem particularly fond of the sloping lawn by the lake.

Beijing Botanical Garden

Located at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain in the west of Beijing, and one of the best places to find all of the flora that the capital has to offer. One standout flower currently in bloom is the peony, so why not take a picnic mat on a sunny day and enjoy your own private secret garden. Pro tip: The deeper you go, the fewer people there are, and the better your picnics will be.

Dong Xiao Kou Forest Park

A perfect picnic park for family trips, the flat lawn is ideal for pitching a tent and really immersing yourself in those sweet, sweet wilderness vibes. What’s more, there are two artificial lakes and two big beaches where families can while away some pretty wonderful weekends.

Dong Xiao Kou Urban Sports Park

If you’re looking for something a bit more secluded and off the beaten path, this is the park for you! It’s located near the beautiful Dong Xiao Kou Forest Park, meaning you can get a little lost in the woods (sometimes, that’s a good thing!) and then retire to the park for lunch and some R&R.

Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park

What makes this park so unique is that it runs parallel to a lovely little river, which is perfect for bike rides, or even renting a small boat and going for a cruise. There are also special camping areas throughout, so get your tent, folding chairs, and umbrellas ready!

Shunyi Xi Hu Yuan Park

Do you have a little one who loves airplanes? Well, this is the only park in Beijing where planes can be seen taking off and landing, as it was designed around Beijing Capital Airport. The 450-acre lawn is ideal for picnics, surrounded by trees, and has an artificial lake, plus an observation deck, making it a perfect place to watch airplanes up close.

Jing Cheng Huai Yuan

Although it’s located in close proximity to some of Beijing’s more popular parks, this is an idyllic oasis away from the crowds. It’s got palatial lawns with various trees and flowers; however, the name of the park comes from the locust tree!

Ma Jia Wan Wetland Park

This park is populated by a bunch of mini-islands that are separated by lakes and connected by bridges, meaning you can literally hang out on your own private island. Find a pitch of grass by the lake, munch on a delicious picnic, enjoy a bit of fishing, and let the kids splash around in the water.

Beijing Chaolai Forest Park

Another park that’s a bit lesser-known, it boasts large areas of forest and grassland, not to mention plenty of super-convenient parking places, which is great for those with younger children.

Dongba Country Park

A pristine country park with woods for camping and dog walking. They don’t call it a “country park” for nothing!

Shiji Forest Park

This semi-wetland park on the banks of the Yongding River was once an abandoned golf course but has since been transformed into an impressive public space. Here you can walk your dog, ride a bike, fish, have a picnic, and take beautiful photos.

Green Dyke Park

Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Shiji Forest Park, visiting the two in one day makes for a day of outdoor exploration unlike any other. There are lots of reeds and lotuses, as well as wetlands and walkways. To be honest, this feels more like a park you’d find in areas of southern China.

Jingkids Summer Fling

And don’t forget if you want to feast with friends while planning the kids’ summer activities, join Jingkids on May 22 for our inaugural Summer Fling! You get a picnic blanket when you purchase tickets in advance, plus specialty food vendors, adventure camps, and more!

When: Saturday, May 22 from 11am to 4:30pm (Rain date: Sunday, May 23, 11am to 4:30pm)
Where: Dongfeng International Sports Park (Just east of Chaoyang Park)
Tickets: RMB 100 for a family of 3 (+RMB 50 for each additional person).

Note: Small tents and picnic blankets welcome! Open flame cooking is not permitted.

Images: Images: Baidu Image, WeChat Official Accounts