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 INTRODUCTION
Many visitors to Beijing are surprised by the abundance of parks and by
how much they are used by the citizens.
The parks open at sunrise and are quickly filled with mostly older Beijingers
practicing 'shadow boxing' or Tai Chi.What a wonderful, magical sight
especially on a foggy morning, highly photographed as well.
Middle age couples arrive with their portable tape or CD players and dance
to western style music. Older gentleman arrive with their song birds to
greet the day.
Beijing homes are very small and can house many family members so parks
become their recreation areas, and use them they do.
The spring in Beijing is particularly surprising as there are literally
thousands of flowering trees and shrubs all over the city bringing to
life the mostly gray city.
Many parks and in park areas around the major attractions have creative
playgrounds for children, the little 'emperors' or 'empresses' of today's
China.
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BEIHAI PARK
This very large park northwest of the Forbidden City is half water and
half land.The lake was actually excavated during the Jin Dynasty, (12th-13th
century).Now any visitor can rent Swan Paddle Boats to explore the lake
and the environs.In the winter when the lake is frozen ice skates are
available for rental.
Kubla Khan is reputed to be the original creator of the park.An extraordinary
decorated jade vase which was presented to him in 1265 is on exhibition
in Round City just inside the southern entrance to the park.
 Emperor
Qianlong is responsible for the fabulous classical Chinese gardens.
The Buddhist shrine, White Dagoba, that towers nearly 120 feet over Jade
Island was built for the Dalai Lama of Tibet's visit in 1651.
The Fangshan Restaurant is famous for serving dishes created from imperial
recipes that were once reserved for emperors is located in the park.
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DITAN PARK
Just north of the Lama Temple is Ditan Park, Temple of Earth.Built in
1530 it had a similar purpose to the Temple of Heaven.Ming and Qing Emperors
traveled here to make sacrifices each year on the summer solstice.
Only after 1911 were ordinary citizens allowed on the grounds.
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JINGSHAN PARK
Want an extraordinary view of the city of Beijing and of the Forbidden
City?As Beijing is basically very flat, climbing to the top of the central
pavilion presents an incredible opportunity to survey the landscape and
orient yourself,On a clear day one should be able to see the western mountains
as well as an all encompassing view of the gold and vermilion Forbidden
City.Jingshan Park is directly opposite to the north gate.
For over 700 years this park served the Ming and Qing Emperors.
The origins of the man-made mounds in the park have several theories.
One is that when the moat around the Forbidden City was being dug the
removed earth was mounded in Jingsham Park to serve as an observation
hill, another has the earth coming from Beihai Park to the west when the
lake was excavated, also man-made.Another theory has an emperor storing
coal under one of the hills.The park is also known as Coal Hill.Towards
the end of the Qing Dynasty the park condition deteriorated.Recently it
has been restored and replanted.
In the northern end of the park a Children's Palace is located in a building
erected under Emperor Qianlong's rule.Once known as the Hall of Imperial
Longevity, the Children's Palace now provides after school activities
for over 1,000 children each day.Instruction in dancing, singing, theatre,
instrumental music, painting and sports are provided.
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RITAN PARK
In the center of the south embassy area, and north of the Friendship Store
is Ritan Park, Temple of the Sun.
The park originally was a 16th century altar site where the emperor made
sacrificial offerings were made to the sun god.
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GRAND
VIEW GARDEN
Before strolling through Grand View Garden the visitor should read "A
Dream of the Red Mansions", an 18th century classic Chinese novel.The
area was designed and built in the 1980's as the set where the most successful
production was filmed.
The Chinese name for the garden is Daguanyuan, and it is located south
of the city, Xuanwu District.The area is a quiet getaway to walk through
and relive the novel.There are many paths that lead you around the lake.
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TAORANTING
PARK
Taoranting Park is truly an established old neighborhood park.When it
was completely redesigned in 1952 excavations revealed that settlements
existed as far back as the 3rd century BC, and imperial records from the
10th thru 13th centuries indicate the existence of a park in the same
area.Unlike other parks that were only for the use of the emperor and
his family, this park was open to everyone.
In the Qing Dynasty the Taoran pavilion became a popular meeting place
for poets and other writers of the time.
As the Qing Dynasty faded the park decayed as well.The 1952 redesign and
renovation included dredging the lakes, building pavilions and forming
small hills.Boat rentals are available on the lakes now, and there is
also a swimming pool.
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TUANJIEHU PARK
Soon after sunrise this park, located on Third Ring Road, opens each morning
it is quickly filled with shadow boxers from the neighborhood and the
office complexes surrounding it.Later in the day small children enjoy
the delightful but small amusement park within the park's boundaries.
The park is made up of three lakes, many with weeping willow trees gracefully
lining the banks.Interesting paths and bridges allow the visitor to forget
being in the center of a bustling metropolis.
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FRAGRANT HILLS
PARK
 Fragrant
Hills Park, the site of several Ming and Qing Dynastytemples and villas,
is located in northwest Beijing a little over an hour away from the city
center.
This is a popular destination for Beijingers and visitors offering spectacular
views from the highest peak rising nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.The
peak may be reached on foot or by a chair lift.Wear your walking shoes
as this is a large park with lots to see.
The botanical gardens, Temple of Brilliance and the Indian-styled Azure
Clouds Temple are some of the sites worth visiting.Late fall when the
leaves are turning red is a wonderful time to visit.
From the 12th to the end of the 18th century it was a favorite hunting
retreat for the emperors.The Quin Dynasty emperor, Qianlong built a wall
around it stocked it with exotic deer and turned it into a park.
European armies in 1860 and 1900 as well as decay nearly destroyed the
park, but it is gradually being restored.
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ZHONGSHAM PARK
The northern boundary of this interesting park bordersthe moat of the
Forbidden City.During imperial times during the reign of the Yongle Emperor,
the Altar of Earth and Grain were located here.Emperors made twice yearly
visits offerings to the gods of the fields and agriculture
twice a year.
It became a public park in 1914 after the fallof the empire in 1911. In
the late 1920's the park was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sun Yatsen,
the founder of the Chinese Republic and the first president.
Now there is also a wonderful children's play area which is shaded by
ancient cypress trees and is extremely popular with families.
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ZIZHUYUAN PARK
West of the Beijing Zoo is Zizhuyuan Park, also knows as "Purple Bamboo
Park.The park area contains three lakes, two islands and an abundance
of bamboo stands.
From 1952-1958 the park underwent major renovations building bridges,
dredging lakes and the formation of hills. Flowers were planted and several
pavilions were constructed.Bamboo and lotus flowers were the finishing
touches which can still be seen in abundance at this well
visited park.
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Sights
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