Yuyuantan Park (Jade Lake Park)

Located in Haidian District, Yuyuantan Park, also named Jade Lake Park, is easily accessible, with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to its eastern gate, China Central Radio and Television Tower to its west, Navy General Hospital to its north and China Millennium Monument to its south. With 1,820 meters (1.13 miles) wide from west to east and 1,106 meters (0.69 miles) long from north to south, it covers an area of 136.69 hectares and the water surface spans an area of 61 hectares.

Back in Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), Yuyuantan Park was already a famous scenic spot. Today, celebrated for its "Cherry Blossoms Festival" every spring, the park attracts tourists from all over the world.

 

Located to the northwest of Yuyuantan Park, Cherry Garden is famous for its cherry blossoms. In the spring of 1973, 180 cherry trees were sent as gifts from Japan and were planted in the garden. Later on, more and more cherry trees were cultivated here. Today the garden has been the home for over 3,000 cherry trees. When cherry trees blossom in early spring (from late March to early April), tourists pour into the garden to join the Cherry Blossom Festival in Yuyuantan Park. Metasequoias and bamboos flourish in the garden making Cherry Garden a wonderful place even when cherry blossoms are not in bloom.

Built in 1983, Liuchun Garden ("Liuchun" means to let the spring stay) sits to the east of it. Every spring, forsythias, magnolias, roses, crab-apple trees and other plants blossom one after another like a perpetual spring in the garden.

Inside the south entrance of Liuchun Garden, you will see a screen wall. Paintings on it are depicted by porcelain pieces. The three front pictures respectively portray a new-born baby in his mother’s embrace, a girl dancing with a swan, and a youngster pursuing knowledge, whilst three pictures designed for children are painted on the back of the wall. From a pavilion in the southwest corner of Liuchun Garden, you can enjoy a distant view of the whole garden.

Zhongshan Island is located to the southwest of Yuyuantan Park. Spanning 800 meters (875 yards) long and 30 meters (33 yards) wide, Zhongshan Island is actually a small hill lying between Bayi Lake and West Lake. A pavilion with a double-tiered roof is built on the hill, from which the full view of Zhongshan Island and the lakes can be seen.

Yinshui Lake Scenic Area is situated to the northeast. Pine trees, gingko trees, poplar trees, crab-apples and other plants are scattered in the area. You can also go fishing in this area.

Near the south gate, there is an ancient pine forest. The trees were planted in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and are over 100 years old.
 

Kunyu (Kunming Lake-Yuyuantan Park) Line: Measuring 10km (6.2 miles), this water tour line mainly passes China Central Radio and Television Tower, Water Park and China Century Monument. Pleasure boats and gaily-painted European style cruise ships are available. Visitors can start from Kunyu Dock located at the northern bank of Bayi Lake in Jade Lake Park to the Summer Palace.

Dock: Yuyuantan Park (shipping season: April-October), Binjiao Park, Summer Palace

1. To the east gate: take subway line 16 to East Gate of Yuyuantan Park and take exit D.
2. To the west gate: take bus 62, 77, 323, 368, 374, 437 or 603 and get off at Yuyuantan West Gate.
3. To the south gate: take bus 65, 78, 84 or 414 and get off at Yuyuantan South Gate, walk northward and pass through China Millennium Monument to the south gate.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search

Admission Fee:	CNY 2; CNY 10 during Cherry Blossom Culture Exhibtions from late Mar. to the end of Apr. Free for children under 6 and the old over 60 Half-price for the minors aged 7-18
Opening Hours:	Jan. 1 - May 31 & Sep. 1 - Dec. 31: 6:00 - 21:30 (stop entering at 21:00) Jun. 1- Aug. 31: 6:00 - 22:30 (stop entering at 21:30)

Neighboring attractions:
 CCTV Tower
 China Century Monument
 Military Museum
 Lianhuachi Park
 Pacific Underwater World

Further Reading: Where to Go in Beijing in Spring - Top 10 Destinations