Yuyuantan Park

Yuyuantan Park occupies 137 hectares in southern Haidian district. [beijing.cn]

Yuyuantan Park occupies 137 hectares in southern Haidian district. The park boasts beautiful gardens and clear waters, including East Lake, West Lake, Bayi Lake and Yinshui Lake. Every spring the park hosts a cherry blossom festival to show off its 2,000 cherry trees, among which there are 20 different varieties. Many of the trees were gifts from Japan when the two countries re-opened diplomatic relations in the 1970s.

Travel tips:

Don't miss: Cherry Blossom Park, Liuchun Park, Zhongshan Islet

Best time to visit: March to May

Admission: 20 yuan

Tel: +86-010-8865/3806

Getting there: Take Bus 37, 121, 846 to the North Gate; Bus 32, 414, 617 to the South Gate; Bus 323, 368, 374, 394 to the West Gate; or Bus 114, 320, 717, 727 to the East Gate.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park is in the center of downtown Beijing, just north of the Forbidden City and west of Jingshan Park. [beijing.cn]

Beihai Park is in the center of downtown Beijing, just north of the Forbidden City and west of Jingshan Park. It was the pleasure palace of Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing emperors, and the park is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in China. The park covers about 710,000 square meters, more than half of which are taken up by lakes. It reflects not only a classic combination of the grandiosity of Chinese northern gardens and the refinement of the southern gardens, but also perfectly integrates magnificent imperial palaces with solemn religious constructions.

Travel tips:

Don't miss: White Dagoba, Nine-Dragon Screen, Beihai Botanical Garden

Best time to visit: March to October

Admission: 10 yuan (March to October); 5 yuan (November to February)

Tel: +86-010-64037972

Web: http://www.beihaipark.com.cn/en/about/index.htm

Getting there: Take Bus 13, 107, 111, 118, 701, 814, 823 to the North Gate; Bus 101, 103, 109, 812, 814, 846 to the South Gate; or Bus 5, 810 to the East Gate.