Taoranting Park (Joyful Park)

Also named Joyful Park, Taoranting Park is situated in the North Bank of the Moat in Xicheng District, Beijing. It has an area of 59 hectares (around 146 acres), of which 17 hectares (42 acres) is covered by water. As a historical and cultural park, Taoranting Park is a mixture of ancient construction styles and modern design.
 

Taoran Ting (Taoran Pavilion) is the best known spot within Tanranting Park and is also from where it gets its name. Taoran Ting is listed as one of China's four famous historical pavilions, together with Aiwan Pavilion in Changsha, Zuiweng Pavilion in Chuzhou, and Huxin Pavilion in Hangzhou. It was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and enjoyed great fame at that time. Scholars often frequented this pavilion, gathering there reciting and composing poetry and essays, or just to relax, admiring the beauty of the moon. After the foundation of People's Republic of China, Taoranting Park was rebuilt and since then has been greatly enjoyed by local citizens.
 

Taoran Pavilion is part of Cibei Temple (Mercy Temple). Mercy Temple is seated on the southwest of the island which is in the center of one of the lakes and was built more than 700 years ago in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It is not only a scenic spot but also a museum containing many cultural relics. Within the temple, the history of Taoranting Park is explained; stele inscriptions are exhibited and more amazingly, some stone scripture pillars of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) are displayed, which date back to more than 900 years ago.
 

The China Garden of Famous Pavilions has been dubbed 'The Garden of Gardens' and opened to the public in 1985. It contains 36 pavilions in total, of which ten are full sized replicas of famous pavilions in China such as Orchid Pavilion, Canglang Pavilion, Duxing and Zuiweng Pavilions and so on from ten cities covering six provinces. These pavilions were arranged in such harmonious balance with the scenery that visitors will lose themselves within the beauty of their setting.

Visitors can entertain and refresh themselves either in the Mini Golf Center or at Water Wonder Land and see the Peacock, China Rose, and Deer Gardens and so on as well.
 

 By Subway:
Take Subway Line 4 to Taoranting Station, take Exit C and walk eastwards for 650 meters (711 yards) to the north gate.

 By Bus:
East Gate: take bus 14, 40, 66, 70, 102, 106, or Zhuan 13 to Taipingjie Street.
South Gate: take bus 25, 50, 62, 90, 122, 200, 414, 692, 958 or 997 and get off at South Gate of Taoranting Park Station.
North Gate: take bus 40, 59, Zhuan 155 or Zhuan 13 to North Gate of Taoranting Park Station.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search

 Recommended Nearby Attractions:
 Fayuan Temple
 Ox Street Mosque
 Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum

 Related Tour: Taoranting Park Cycling
 More Beijing Tours

 Further Reading:
Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing in Winter

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