Name: Yuyuantan Park

Star Rating: 4A

Admission: 2 Yuan or 10 Yuan during Cherry Blossom Culture Exhibtions from late March to the end of April

Opening Hours:

06:30—19:00 (December-March)

06:00—20:30 (April, May, September, October, November)

06:00—21:00 (June, July, August)

Address: West Middle 3rd-Ring Road (Xi Sanhuan Zhong Lu), Haidian District, Beijing.

Description: Located in Haidian District,Yuyuantan Park(玉渊潭公园 Jade Lake Park) is easily accessible, with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to its eastern gate, China Central Radio and Television Tower to its west, Navy General Hospital to its north and China Millennium Monument to its south. With 1,820 meters (1.13 miles) wide from west to east and 1,106 meters (0.69 miles) long from north to south, Yuyuantan Park covers an area of 136.69 hectares and the water surface spans an area of 61 hectares. Back in Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), Yuyuantan Park was already a famous scenic spot.

Featured Attraction:

Cherry Garden

Located to the northwest of the park, Cherry Garden is famous for its cherry blossoms. In the spring of 1973, 180 cherry trees were sent as gifts from Japan and were planted in the garden. Later on, more and more cherry trees were cultivated here. Today the garden has been the home for over 3,000 cherry trees. When cherry trees blossom in early spring (from late March to early April), tourists pour into the garden to enjoy the beautiful flowers. Metasequoias and bamboos flourish in the garden making Cherry Garden a wonderful place even when cherry blossoms are not in bloom.

Liuchun Garden

Built in 1983, Liuchun Garden ("Liuchun" means to let the spring stay) sits to the east of Yuyuantan Park. Every spring, forsythias, magnolias, roses, crab-apple trees and other plants blossom one after another like a perpetual spring in the garden.

Inside the south entrance of Liuchun Garden, you will see a screen wall. Paintings on it are depicted by porcelain pieces. The three front pictures respectively portray a new-born baby in his mother’s embrace, a girl dancing with a swan, and a youngster pursuing knowledge, whilst three pictures designed for children are painted on the back of the wall. From a pavilion in the southwest corner of Liuchun Garden, you can enjoy a distant view of the whole garden.

Zhongshan Island

Zhongshan Island is located to the southwest of Yuyuantan Park. Spanning 800 meters (875 yards) long and 30 meters (33 yards) wide, Zhongshan Island is actually a small hill lying between Bayi Lake and West Lake. A pavilion with a double-tiered roof is built on the hill, from which the full view of Zhongshan Island and the lakes can be seen.

Yinshui Lake Scenic Area is situated to the northeast of Yuyuantan Park. Pine trees, gingko trees, poplar trees, crab-apples and other plants are scattered in the area. You can also go fishing in this area.

Ancient Pine Forest

Near the south gate of Yuyuantan Park, there is an ancient pine forest. The trees were planted in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and are over 100 years old.

Recommended Time: April and summer

Transportation:

To the east gate: take bus no.114, 320, 717 or 727 and get off at Yuyuantan Station; or take bus no.13,21,37,65 and get off at Sanlihe West Station;

To the west gate: take bus no.300, 323, 374 or Te 8 and get off at Bayi Lake North Station or Fuchenglu Station

To the south gate: take Subway Line 1 and get off at Military Museum Station and enter from the northern side of China Millennium Monument

To the north gate: take bus no.37, 121 or 846 and get off at Mashenmiao Station or Baiduizi Station