Top 10 free parks to visit during National Day holiday

Northwest gate of Longtan Park. [Photo by Bao Xinguo/Asianewsphoto]

Longtan Park, located in the southeast of Beijing, was built in 1952. It covers a total area of 49.2 hectares, of which 19.47 hectares is water. It was named Longtan (Dragon Lake) because it is connected to the Dragon Canal.

Longtan Park features the large Dragon Lake, with "moon bridges," weeping willows, rock gardens, dragon boats, tea houses, a restaurant, exercise areas and play areas for children. There is also a beautifully curving pavilion with a dragon roof and pillars decorated with golden spiraled dragons. Indeed, the dragon motif is featured in many places throughout the park.

The park combines North China's ancient architecture with a modern city park exuding China's ancient "dragon" culture.

Address: Number 8 Longtan Road, Dongcheng district

How to get there: Take bus 6, 8, 12, 35, 41, 60, 116, 807 to Beijing Amusement Park station