Park Life: Everything You Need to Know About Chaoyang Park
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Life's a park! We take a look at Beijing's most beloved parks, dig into what makes each of them special, and why they're worth your time to explore. Note: While conditions around town are loosening, you'll need to submit to a temperature check and wear a mask to enter the park. During the May Day holiday, Chaoyang Park also requires visitors to book a day ahead of time. More on how to do so here.
Name: Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园 chāoyáng gōngyuán
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm, last entry 8pm
Price: RMB 5 (plus additional tickets for activities); RMB 100 annual pass (requires a passport photo and your passport; can only be bought at main gates)
Amenities: Restrooms, snack stalls, vending machines, easy access to the subway
Known for: 5km running track, public football pitches and ping pong tables towards the east gate, amusement park, multiples lakes, boating, an open-air stage, lots of usable grass.
Construction of Chaoyang Park, located on the site of the former Prince’s Palace in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, began in 1984. It's certainly not Beijing's most historical park but at close to 1.2 square miles, Chaoyang Park is easily the largest within the Third Ring Road, complete with flower gardens, roller coasters, oddly-placed baroque architecture, and plenty to see and snack on.
The park comes complete with its own rides
The park is home to many architectural features, both completed and botched. The Beijing Skyview Ferris Wheel provides an interesting and demonstrative example of Chaoyang Park's grand, if unrealized, ambitions.
As an expansive green space with diverse activities, Chaoyang Park is Beijing’s premier urban retreat. Found a stone's throw from the Central Business District and the shopping streets of Sanlitun, this lush oasis offers a running track, an amusement park, waterways, an outdoor stage, and varied art installations. Bicycles and boats can be rented at various locations for RMB 80-100 per hour depending on size and type. From taichi practice, casual fishing, badminton games, strolling families, and amateur musical performances, opportunities for people-watching also abound.
In April, blooming trees and flowers increase the park’s visual appeal. Once you've exhausted the park, walk to Solana on the northwest corner for a meal or shopping. Bordered by three subway stations (Chaoyang Park, Zaoying, and Dongfeng Beiqiao), Chaoyang Park is accessible to the city center via Line 14. With a low entry price of RMB 5, it’s a cost-effective way to spend an afternoon.
Chaoyang Park has some of the best-preened green spaces in the city
While most popular in the fall and spring, Chaoyang Park's rolling and well-maintained grounds make for an excellent playground for both adults and children year-round. Family-friendly attractions include the amusement park (you need to pay in cash at the nearby kiosks), bikes, boats, or golf carts (which also requires payment in cash and are rented in half-hour increments), as well as sculptures and art installations that are easy playgrounds. For adults looking for a lazy afternoon, pack up your own food and beverages and claim some space on the grass for an idyllic picnic!
Chaoyang Park is a hub of activity for the active-minded. Running club HeyRunning (an offshoot of Heyrobics, the biggest non-competitive exercise in Sweden) holds weekly Wednesday Park Runs (heyrobics.com.cn/heyrunning), starting at West Gate 4 behind Solana, through Chaoyang Park, with a focus on building runner stamina. Cost is RMB 30 for non-members, while HeyRobics cardholders can join using their passes. HeyRunning also organizes a free monthly run on the last Sunday of each month (runs will be canceled if the AQI exceeds 160).
Additionally, Yoga in the Park, run by Taozi Tree Yoga Studio, offers a scenic exercise option every Sunday (9.30-11pm, RMB 50) from April through October. These family-friendly classes are an ideal option for anyone looking to get out and lap up the sun.
READ: Serving to Ghosts at Chaoyang Park's Abandoned Olympic Beach Volleyball Court
Images: Wikimedia, Anna Pellegrin Hartley
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