Beijing boasts countless parks, both old and new. Just when you think you've explored all the classic ones, several large new parks have opened, and the best part is—they're all free! Let's take a look at some of these newly opened parks. If any are near your home, take your kids for a visit!

Personally, I love taking my kids to parks for their daily outings. The great environment, beautiful scenery, and abundant greenery make parks the perfect nearby spots to relax and enjoy nature.

Moreover, most of the new parks come with children's playgrounds, allowing kids to play with their friends while parents can unwind nearby. It's a win-win for both kids and parents.

Houshayu People's Park

This free park, formerly known as Longteng Cultural Square, reopened during the May Day holiday after over a year of renovation and was renamed Houshayu People's Park.

The park has undergone a remarkable transformation. The new look is completely different from before, with enhanced greenery and beautifully planted flowers. New pathways have been laid, and the basketball, soccer, and badminton courts are all brand new. Additionally, a large children's playground has been added, attracting even more visitors than before.

One noticeable feature of the park is its focus on fitness. The brand-new running tracks, marked with distances, have a soft surface that encourages people to run a few laps. The various sports fields have also attracted enthusiasts, with the soccer field becoming especially popular among children.

The children's playground is even more of a draw for families. It gets incredibly crowded, with people describing it as a sea of humanity, especially on weekends, both day and night. The large sandbox is a highlight, accommodating many children at once. The sand is fine and clean, making it safe for kids to play barefoot.

Other children's attractions, such as swings and slides, may require some waiting, but the crowd starts to thin out after 5 PM. The newly expanded plaza is not only spacious but also equipped with a semi-circular rain shelter and seating. The smooth surface is perfect for kids to practice roller skating.

There's also a very cozy corner in the park that's quite popular. Several cylindrical-shaped private rest areas provide shade and rain protection, complete with tables and chairs. It's an ideal spot to sit down, have a snack, and chat, offering both privacy and comfort.

Address: 38 Yumin Street, Shunyi District

Liulangzhuang Park

Another top-tier, countryside-style park has opened in Haidian, featuring picturesque rice fields and willow tree pathways. The scenery is stunning, and the park is free to the public.

Located in the Three Hills and Five Gardens area, just south of the new palace gate of the Summer Palace, the park is divided into southern and northern sections, covering approximately 13.77 hectares. It shares a fresh, rural landscape with the well-known Beiwu Park and Yudong Countryside Park.

Historically, this area was the initial planting region for Jingxi rice. During the construction of the park, a section for Jingxi rice cultivation was specially restored. Walkways were added within the rice fields, and boardwalks were built alongside the water channels, allowing visitors to immerse themselves more closely in the pastoral scenery.

The canola flower fields near the southwest gate of Beiwu Park are quite famous in Beijing. It is easy to imagine that the canola flower fields in Liulangzhuang Park, also part of the Three Hills and Five Gardens area, are equally impressive.

Next to Kunming Lake East Road, large areas of canola flowers are planted, along with other flowers such as coneflower, daylily, potentilla, and verbena, creating a stunning sea of flowers. At Liulangzhuang Park, you can enjoy the fragrance of rice fields in autumn and a myriad of blooming flowers in spring. Each season offers beautiful scenery.

To complement the pastoral landscape, the park features rustic facilities like rest pavilions with thatched roofs and winding paths along the fields, giving visitors the feeling of strolling through a natural countryside.

Address: 52 meters northwest of the intersection of Kunming Lake East Road and Kunming Lake, Haidian District.

Translator: DING Hongwei

Reviewer: JIANG Wenyi