Located in Haidian District, it 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, it covers an area of 136.69 hectares and the water surface spans an area of 61 hectares.

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Back in Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), it was already a famous scenic spot. Today, celebrated for its "Cherry Blossoms Festival" every spring, it attracts tourists from all over the world.

Cherry Garden

Located to the northwest, 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

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

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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.

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Zhongshan Island

Zhongshan Island is located to the southwest. 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. Pine trees, gingko trees, poplar trees, crab-apples and other plants are scattered in the area. You can also go fishing in this area.

来源@视觉中国

Source: www.travelchinaguide.com