Which parks are most beautiful in Beijing? There are lots of choices out there for this selection. I have browsed some of the relatively authoritative information and traveled to most of the parks listed below. Finally, I think the following parks should be the most beautiful sites you need to visit when you arrive in Beijing.

The Summer Palace

This is the largest park built by the imperial families in the Qing Dynasty. In this park you can experience the style of the scenery unique in the southern parts of China such as Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Beihai Park

I have been to the park several times, and I know this park is the most beautiful one in the city, just behind the Forbidden City and next to Jingshan Park. It is probably the biggest park located in the center of Beijing.

The Temple of Heaven Park

The beauty of the park lies in that it was once the place where the emperors worshiped the god of heaven, hoping the god would favor the people by good harvests. Its ancient buildings are stunning.

Fragrant Hills Park

This park is the most beautiful one among nearly all parks in autumn in Beijing because of its red and yellow leaves. In Spring, you can also visit it because its natural beauty of green is really mesmerizing.

Beijing Botanical Garden

This park neighbors Fragrant Hills Park and many people usually visit the park in summer, since it will be cool there and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery too.

Jingshan Park

Although I don’t think Jingshan Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Beijing, many others think so. I guess the reason is, when you stand on the Coal Hill in the center of the park, you will be able to have a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Behind the hill there is a peony garden, where you can visit when the peonies fully bloom.

Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park is in honour of Sun Yat-sen, better-known in Chinese as Sun Zhongshan, who is considered by many to be the "Father of Modern China". The park is next to the Forbidden City and is indeed a suitable place to view flowers when they fully bloom.

The Old Summer Palace

Today’s Old Summer Palace is not as ugly as the time when it was destroyed by the British, French and other invaders at the end of the Qing Dynasty. Now it has been tailored to a beautiful park, where you can view the most beautiful scenery in summer when the lotus flowers fully bloom. You can get on a boat to have a nice water tour on the lake.