September/October is the the best time in Beijing, but April/May is a close second. The wind picks up and blows the pollution away, temperatures warm and the cherry blossoms bloom. It’s a great time to get back outside and enjoy some of the parks of Beijing. This post is a list of the best parks to check out.

Jin Shan Park

The favorite park of many a Beijinger. Located at the north gate of the Forbidden City, it’s also home to the highest non-skyscraper point in Beijing. The hill in the middle of the park is man-made from the dirt dug from the moat around the old palace. From the top you get a great 360-degree view of the city, including a really cool view of the Forbidden City.

Chaoyang Park

Chaoyang is one of the largest of Beijing’s parks and covers 3 square kilometers. It’s almost too big to be thought of as one park. Depending on which gate you enter by you’ll find a different experience. At the south gate you’ll find a lake with boating and a small amusement park for kids. At the West gate you’ll find some open spaces and lake views (without the boats), it’s also near the Solana Mall so you can grab a bite to eat before or after. If you’re looking for peace and quite and large open fields enter at the north gate. It’s a good area for a picnic. The east gate has basketball courts, small soccer fields, a laser tag court and if you head north a ways a beach and waterpark.

Haidian Park

Haidian Park is located at the northwest corner of 4th Ring Road, not far fromthe Summer Palaceand within biking distance of Wudaokou. There’s a nice big field that is (usually) free for frisbee or kite flying. There are some small soccer fields at the western end of the park. There’s also no entrance fee.

Temple of Heaven

Althoughthe Temple of Heavenis usually thought of as primarily a tourist site, you can pay a small fee entrance fee of ¥5 and enjoy the outer park area (not the inner touristy areas). This is a great place to rub elbows with older Beijingers and see them play cards and Chinese chess, or spin a Chinese yo-yo or play hacky-sack with one of those feathered toys.

Olympic Forest Park

The newest major park in Beijing and now the biggest. A favorite for runners its vast and not very busy. There is a south segment inside 5th ring road, and a north segment outside.