The Best Beijing Parks and Gardens for Budding Horticulturalists
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Beijing is finally waking up from its long hibernation, welcoming the longer, warmer, and brighter spring days. The city's many hidden gardens and parks are slowly coming into life as well, with splashes of color and sweet scents slowly filling the air. To celebrate the dawn of spring, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite green spaces around the city, so that you have no excuse not to venture outdoors and enjoy a respite from the hustle and bustle of Beijing life!
Parks and Gardens
Featuring
pavilions, a courtyard complex, rockeries, and variety of plants, this
130,000sqm garden was built in 1984, and the design was inspired by the
residence described in Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the four Chinese
literal classics. As such, it stands as one of the most magnificent
models of traditional Chinese architecture aesthetics, even if it's a
relatively recent build.
Main seasonal flower fix: Wintersweet plum blossoms.
READ: The Best Spots to Enjoy Plum Blossom Season in Beijing
As its name
suggests, this park is built on a city wall relic site that can be
traced back to the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Stretching from Mingguancun in
Haidian District to Qijiahuozi in Chaoyang district, the park is home to
over 28 varieties of crabapple blossom, totaling 5,000 trees overall.
Main seasonal flower fix: Crabapple blossoms.
Home to over 1.5
million plants, the Beijing Botanical Garden is basically a huge haven
for fresh air tucked away next to the Fragrant Hills. It's not only a
mecca for plants but also home to a number of scenic sites, including
the Wofo Temple and the Memorial Museum of Cao Xueqin.
Main seasonal flower fix: Peach blossoms.
As the former
resident of one of the top and wealthiest Qing dynasty (1644-1912)
officials during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, Prince Kung's
Mansion is one of the existent best-preserved royal architecture
complexes in China and is made up of a residential area that includes a
back garden that covers 32,230sqm in total.
Main seasonal flower fix: Lotus.
Located next to
the Forbidden City, Zhongshan Park is notable for attracting way fewer
tourists, which is lucky because its gardens are ideal for a leisurely
stroll to escape the city's center. The park was formerly an imperial
sacrificial altar, alongside the Temple of Heaven etc., but now attracts
people for its tulips, pavilions, and centuries-old pine trees.
Main seasonal flower fix: Tulip.
Further Afield
Next to
Yangtaishan Mountain in the western suburb of Beijing sits Dajue Temple.
Reputed for its verdant environment, especially the thousand-year-old
ginkgo tree group, and magnolia flower trees. You may also want to visit
Fayuan Temple (法源寺 fǎ yuán sì) for lilacs or Chongxiao Temple (崇效寺 chóng xiào sì) for peonies, both of which are highly regarded for their
flower viewing.
Main seasonal flower fix: Magnolia.
Panggezhuang is
one endless field of pear trees located in the eponymous village. Make a
day of it and enjoy browsing the food and goods of local villagers.
Main seasonal flower fix: Pear blossom.
READ: Early Bloomers: Eight of Beijing's Must-See Spring Flowers
Photos: wtop.com, Dianping.com
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