Beijing’s parks are among the best places to enjoy China’s capital, and perhaps the best place to watch its people go about their business. Here are five of the best.

The best time to see Beijing’s parks is in the early morning. From around 6am onwards, many parks are a hive of activity, with exercises, conversation and music all around. Truly a charm, but don’t worry if you can’t haul yourself out of your pit before breakfast, as the fun usually goes on in pretty much the same vein all day.

1.Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park is north of the Forbidden City. The park’s “Coal Hill,” where the last Ming emperor hung himself, allows for incredible views of the Forbidden City and around the city. On a clear day, that is.

Located on the city’s north-south axis, Jingshan’s history dates back around 1,000 years. Cypresses are dotted all around the park, creating a solemn, peaceful atmosphere (broken by the near-daily performances of elderly karaoke singers performing revolutionary songs).

Activities

In May each year, more than 20,000 peony roses are displayed in the park.

Admission

10 yuan

Opening hours

6am-7pm

Getting there

Bus: Take bus 5 to Jingshan Houjie Station (景山后街); bus 111 to Jingshan Nanmen (Jingshan South Gate 景山南门); or 101, 103, 109 or 814 to Gugong (the Forbidden City 故宫).

Subway: Take Subway Line 5 to Dongsi Station (东四), get out at Exit C; and then take bus 101, 103, 109 or 814 to Gugong (the Forbidden City 故宫).

2.Beijing Olympic Forest Park

Olympic Forest Park is located just north of the Olympic Stadium (the Bird’s Nest) and is popular for Beijingers seeking an escape without leaving the city. There’s not too much to do beyond walking, jogging, and sitting on the grass (then again, many Beijing parks don’t allow you to sit on the grass) but the park is surprisingly effective at conveying the impression that you’re not 1km away from the Fourth Ring Road.

Activities

Walking, canoeing, jogging.

Admission

Free.

Getting there

Bus: Take bus 386, 407, Yuntong 113, 656, 660, 753,939, get off at Beichenqiao Xi station（北辰桥西）; Take bus 3, 5, 6, K12, K19, get off at Nan Gongjiaochang station（南公交场）; Take bus 7, K11, K13, to Bei Gongjiaochang station（北公交场）.

Subway: Line 5 to Datunlu Dong station（大屯路东）; Line 8 to Olympic Forest Park South Gate.

3.Beihai Park

Beihai Park is one of Beijing’s best-preserved imperial gardens. No need to worry about checking off sights, just have a walk around and enjoy yourself as you encounter locals (mostly elderly ones) taking part in all manner of activities, from makeshift orchestras playing along while choruses belt out “Red” songs from the revolutionary era, to ballroom dancing and taichi. Watching these Beijingers go about their business, you can’t help but feel a little more relaxed yourself. Beihai is also a great place to be for sunset.

Activities

The park contains five scenic spots: Tuancheng, Qiongdao, Beian, Dongan and the botanical garden.

Admission

10 yuan (April 1-October 31)

5 yuan (November 1-March 31)

Additional costs for certain optional attractions within the park: 10 yuan for Qiongdao, 1 yuan for Tuancheng

Opening hours

6:30am-9pm (April 1-October 31)

6:30am-8pm (November 1-March 31)

Getting there

Bus: Take bus 5, 101, 103, 124, 614, 619, 42, 13, 111, get off at Beihai Gongyuan station（北海公园）; Take bus 5, 609, get off at Xibanqiao station（西板桥）

4.Temple of Heaven Park (Tiantan Park)

The Temple of Heaven is home to one of the four altars where China’s imperial family once offered ritual sacrifices to the gods. (The others – Ditan, Ritan and Yuetan – are all now also parks.) The altar itself is remarkable, but the Temple of Heaven is a lovely park in its own right. The park is huge, so choose one area to explore if your time is limited.

Activities

A ceremony modeled after the performance of imperial rites is played out on the square in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest on the 2nd day of the second month of the lunar calendar. Hundreds of actors wearing imperial-style clothing act out the rituals of the ceremony the Emperor carried out for hundreds of years.

Admission

15 yuan (April 1 to October 31)

10 yuan (November 1 to March 31)

Joint ticket (includes access to all halls inside the park): 35/30 yuan.

Opening hours

8am-5:30pm (April 1 to October 31)

8am-5pm (November 1 to March 31)

Ticket office closes 1.5 hours prior to closing time.

Getting there

Bus: Take bus 6, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 116, 610, 707, 723, 743, 957 or 958 to Tiantan Dongmen (East Gate 天坛东门); 36 (Huan 环), 53, 120, 122, 525, 610, 800 (Nei 内), 803 or 958 to Tiantan Nanmen (South Gate 天坛南门); 2, 7, 15, 17, 20, 69, 105, 707, 729 or 826 to Tiantan Ximen (West Gate 天坛西门); 6, 34, 35, 36 (Huan 环), 106, 110, 687, 707 or 743 to Tiantan Beimen (North Gate 天坛北门).

Subway: Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen (天坛东门), and then Exit A.

5.Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hills)

Xiangshan, or Fragrant Hills, is a large-scale park with a huge covering of mountains and forest. Lakes and ancient architecture are interspersed between the mountains.

Activities

Visit in autumn – late September to early October – to see red leaves cover the hills as the seasons change.

Admission

5 yuan (November 16-March 31)

10 yuan (April 1-November 15)

10 yuan optional additional ticket for entry to Biyun Temple

Opening hours

6am-6.30pm (April 1-Jun 30)

6am-7pm (Jul 1-Aug 31)

6am-6.30pm (Sep 1-Nov 15)

6am-6pm (Nov 16-Mar 31)

Getting there

Bus: Take bus 318, 331, 360, 696, 698 or 714 to Xiang Shan (香山).

Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen (北宫门), and take Exit A. Then transfer to bus 331 or 696 to Xiangshan (香山).