Yuyuantan Park is located in Haidian District, Beijing, adjacent to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and the China Millennium Monument. It is one of the eleven major parks directly under the Beijing Municipal Government and a national 4A-level scenic area. The park has a planned total area of about 132.38 hectares, of which the water area is about 59.72 hectares, the built green area is about 74 hectares, and the green coverage rate reaches more than 95%.
The overall landscape of the park is characterized by cherry blossoms and themed on water, being an urban comprehensive park integrating landscape, ecology, and services. The park is divided into 4 areas: the Cherry Blossom Area, Wetland Area, Cultural Exhibition Area, and Sports and Leisure Area, with more than 35 landscapes and garden facilities. It also has educational bases and popular science spaces such as the Chinese Young Heroes Monument and the Yuhe Jiying Exhibition Hall.
History and Culture
The history of Yuyuantan Park can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty. At that time, it was only two li away from Huichengmen in the northwest of the Jin Zhongdu City, serving as a place for emperors to visit. Emperor Zhangzong of Jin, Wanyan Jing, also built palaces and platforms here and fished here many times. In the Xijin Zhi Jiyi, it was called "Diaoyutai" (Fishing Platform).
In the Yuan Dynasty, Lian Xixian, a famous prime minister, built a villa "Wanliutang" (Ten Thousand Willows Hall) by the Yuyuantan. He planted hundreds of willow trees around the pool, which was full of lotuses, with weeping willows on the shore, presenting a beautiful scenery. It is said that the Yuan emperor named it "Yuyuantan" because of its blue and deep water and wide water surface. Since then, this clear water has had an official name and been recorded in history books.
In the summer of the 37th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty, mountain torrents broke out. To eradicate the flood, the Qing government ordered the excavation of the Diaoyutai River Pond the next year, dredged it into a lake, and built a new diversion canal from Xiangshan to inject into Yuyuantan, as well as built sluices to store and release lake water. In 1774, Emperor Qianlong rebuilt the ancient Diaoyutai, built the Chengyi Pavilion, and set up the Yangyuan Zhai as a temporary imperial palace, opening the legendary history of Yuyuantan as a royal garden.
In modern times, in 1910, the Agricultural College selected this site for running a school, using Yuyuantan as the internship site for agriculture and forestry. Since then, it has gone through periods such as the National Beijing Agricultural College, the Agricultural Academy of Peking University, and Beijing Agricultural University. The long-term construction of agricultural and forestry fields has given Yuyuantan the reputation of the "Oriental Little Switzerland". After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Beijing Municipal Government opened up 140 hectares of land outside the Diaoyutai temporary imperial palace buildings as a people's park, and officially named it Yuyuantan Park in 1960.
Main Attractions
Early Cherry Blossoms Herald Spring
Located north of the West Lake, it is planted with Hangzhou early cherry blossoms, which bloom earlier, and their opening marks the beginning of the park's cherry blossom season. The flowers are light pink, dense and delicate, with slender petals.
Cherry and Begonia Spring Dawn
Located north of the West Lake and north of the Early Cherry Blossoms Herald Spring attraction, weeping cherries were planted in 1990, mainly including Pendula and Yaebeni Beni Shidare. On the green grass, there is a stone inscription "Cherry and Begonia Spring Dawn" by Bing Xin, an old writer.
Friendship Cherry Forest
Near the west gate of the park, the cherry forest is mainly composed of varieties such as Americana and Somei Yoshino, which were adopted by Japanese friendly groups for 10 years.
East Lake Wetland Garden
Located north of the East Lake and east of the Wetland Exhibition Hall, it was established in 2016, covering an area of about 0.35 square kilometers. It is divided into a display area and a conservation area, with water systems as the vein and plant landscapes as the feature.
Yuyuan Spring and Autumn
Located in the southeast of the park and south of Liuchun Garden, it is planted with various plants such as Shantung Maple, cherry leaves, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, and ginkgo. In autumn, it weaves a beautiful picture with evergreen plants.
Chinese Young Heroes Monument
Located in the south of the park, the monument is 17 meters high, shaped like a red scarf welded by silver-gray stainless steel. It is a patriotic education base in Beijing and was completed and unveiled in May 1990.
Cherry Blossom Fall Valley
Located in the central and southern part of the park, near the south gate, it is a sunken garden-style cherry blossom viewing attraction with many new cherry blossom varieties such as Chinese cherry and weeping cherry, with rich flower colors.
Yuyuan Pavilion
Located at the southernmost part of the Middle Dike Bridge, it was built on the hill on the east side of Zhongshan Island in 1985, being an ancient-style four-cornered double-eave pavilion. It was officially named Yuyuan Pavilion in 2004.
Food
Snacks in the Park
There are some stalls selling common snacks such as grilled sausages and ice cream in the park, which are convenient for visitors to replenish energy in time.
Surrounding Food
The food around the park is rich. You can taste Beijing Roast Duck in nearby restaurants. The crispy duck skin is matched with thin pancakes, scallion shreds, cucumbers, and sweet bean sauce, with rich tastes and no greasiness. There is also Old Beijing Noodles with Fried Sauce. The chewy noodles are paired with fragrant fried sauce and various side dishes, which is a classic Beijing food. In addition, you can also find various home-style restaurants providing popular dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork.
Tickets
The ticket price for Yuyuantan Park is 2 yuan per person. During the Cherry Blossom Festival (usually from late March to April every year), the ticket price is 10 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京市玉渊潭公园" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
It opens at 6:00 every day, stops admitting visitors at 21:30, and closes at 22:00.
Tour Routes
Cherry Blossom Viewing Route
Enter from the west gate of the park, first visit the Friendship Cherry Forest, then go to attractions such as Early Cherry Blossoms Herald Spring and Cherry and Begonia Spring Dawn, then pass through the Middle Dike Bridge, go to the vicinity of the East Lake Wetland Garden to enjoy the wetland scenery, then go to Cherry Blossom Fall Valley, and finally exit from the south gate. This route allows you to enjoy a variety of cherry blossom varieties.
Cultural Experience Route
Enter from the east gate, pass through the Cherry Blossom Path, arrive at the Yuhe Jiying Exhibition Hall to experience cultural exhibitions, then go to Liuchun Garden and Yuyuan Spring and Autumn, and finally go to the Chinese Young Heroes Monument to learn about relevant history and culture, and leave from the south gate.
Leisure and Sports Route
Enter from the south gate, first visit the Chinese Young Heroes Monument, then go to Yuyuan Pavilion, walk along the lake to the Wetland Garden to experience the wetland ecology, and finally exit from the west gate. You can carry out leisure sports such as walking and jogging in appropriate areas along the way.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take buses No. 13, No. 21, No. 37, etc., and get off at Yuyuantan Park West Gate Station.
- Subway: Take Subway Line 9 to Military Museum Station, or take Subway Line 1 to Gongzhufen Station, and then walk to the park after exiting the station.
- Self-driving: There are some parking lots around the park, but the parking spaces are limited. It is recommended to navigate to nearby suitable parking lots, such as the China Millennium Monument Parking Lot, and then walk to the park.
Must-visit Attractions
- Cherry Blossom Garden: One of the largest special cherry blossom gardens in China, covering an area of 25 hectares, with more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees, forming the "Eight Sceneries of Cherry Blossoms". Every April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, they are like clouds and rosy clouds, being the core landscape of the park.
- East Lake Wetland Garden: The urban wetland with the largest water area within the Third Ring Road of Beijing, covering an area of about 0.35 square kilometers, with a good ecological environment, featuring water systems and plant landscapes.
- Chinese Young Heroes Monument: The monument is 17 meters high, with a unique shape, being a patriotic education base in Beijing and of great educational significance.
Tour Tips
- Cherry Blossom Season: There are many visitors during the Cherry Blossom Festival. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance and enter the park as early as possible to avoid peak crowds.
- Dress and Equipment: The park is large in area. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes for easy walking. Choose appropriate clothes according to the season, and pay attention to the temperature difference between morning and evening when viewing cherry blossoms in spring.
- Items to Bring: You can bring your own water cup, as there are drinking fountains in the park. If you plan to have a picnic, you can bring picnic mats and other items and choose a suitable area to enjoy the picnic time.
Notes
- Civilized Touring: Please do not climb or break flowers and trees, trample on the lawn, keep the park environment clean, and put garbage into designated trash cans.
- Safety Tips: When playing by the lake, pay attention to safety and do not approach the dangerous areas by the lake, especially visitors with children should take good care of their children.
- Comply with Regulations: Smoking, flying kites, etc., are prohibited in the park. Please comply with the relevant regulations of the park and follow the guidance of the staff.