Located in Haidian District, Beijing, the National Botanical Garden is integrated by the former Beijing Botanical Garden and the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The scenic area is rated as 4A-level, and it is a comprehensive botanical garden integrating plant scientific research, species preservation, popular science education, and garden appreciation. The scenic area has distinct characteristics and is rich in plant species, serving as an important window for displaying plant diversity in northern China. The total planned area of the park is nearly 600 hectares, of which the exhibition area is about 200 hectares, including various special plant gardens, greenhouses, and popular science facilities. The architectural styles in the park are diverse, including pavilions and towers reflecting traditional garden art, as well as modern scientific research and display buildings. The iconic Tropical Greenhouse, with a construction area of 17,000 square meters, is one of the largest greenhouses in Asia.
History and Culture
The history of the National Botanical Garden can be traced back to 1956 when the former Beijing Botanical Garden began to be built, aiming to carry out plant introduction and domestication, scientific research, and popular science display. In 1959, the Beijing Botanical Garden was officially opened to the public and gradually developed into an important domestic base for plant scientific research and popular science education. The Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has a long history of plant taxonomy and research, whose predecessor can be traced back to the Department of Botany of the Jingsheng Biological Survey established in 1928. In 2022, to integrate plant scientific research and resource protection forces, the former Beijing Botanical Garden and the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences were integrated, and the National Botanical Garden was officially inaugurated, becoming the first national botanical garden in China, marking a new stage in plant protection and research in China. The National Botanical Garden inherits the dual genes of Chinese traditional garden culture and modern plant scientific research. It is not only a "living museum" of plant resources but also bears the important mission of promoting the development of plant science and spreading plant culture.
Main Attractions
Cherry Valley
Located in the northwest of the park, Cherry Valley is a natural valley about 700 meters long. The valley is dense with forests and gurgling streams, having a unique forest microclimate. The most distinctive feature of the scenic area is the metasequoia forest, planted in the 1950s. There are about 2,000 metasequoia trees, forming a spectacular metasequoia forest landscape. Wooden plank roads and the "Yangshan Pavilion" are set up in the forest, allowing visitors to walk and feel the beauty of nature.
Tropical Greenhouse
The Tropical Greenhouse is one of the landmark buildings of the National Botanical Garden, with a construction area of 17,000 square meters, divided into several exhibition areas such as the Tropical Rainforest Room, Desert Plant Room, and Four Seasons Garden. The interior of the greenhouse displays more than 2,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, including many rare and endangered plants. The Tropical Rainforest Room simulates the high-temperature and high-humidity rainforest environment, with typical rainforest landscapes such as tall Wangtian trees and strangler figs. The Desert Plant Room displays drought-tolerant plants such as cacti and succulents, showing different ecosystems.
Peony Garden
The Peony Garden covers an area of about 1.6 hectares, collecting and displaying more than 600 peony varieties, with a quantity of more than 5,000 plants. It also plants related plants such as peonies. The garden is planted in zones according to variety groups and flower colors. When peonies are in full bloom from April to May every year, various peonies compete for beauty, making it a popular attraction for flower appreciation in spring. The garden also has an inscription of "National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance", adding a cultural atmosphere.
Food
Old Beijing Noodles with Soybean Paste
Old Beijing Noodles with Soybean Paste is a common delicacy around the scenic area. The noodles are chewy, paired with refreshing vegetable ingredients such as cucumbers, bean sprouts, and heart-shaped radishes, and then poured with fragrant soybean paste, with a rich taste. Many nearby restaurants offer traditional noodles with soybean paste, priced at about 25-35 yuan per bowl.
Lǘ Dǎ Gǔn (Donkey Rolling)
Lǘ Dǎ Gǔn is a traditional Beijing snack, made of yellow rice flour wrapped in red bean paste, with soybean flour sprinkled on the surface, named after resembling the dust raised when a donkey rolls. It is sold in old-fashioned snack shops near the scenic area, about 15-20 yuan per portion, with a soft and sweet taste.
Snacks on Zhongguancun Food Street
Zhongguancun Food Street, not far from the scenic area, has a rich selection of foods, such as spicy hot pot, skewers, Yunnan rice noodles, etc. Among them, each skewer is about 5-10 yuan, and a bowl of Yunnan rice noodles is about 20-30 yuan, which can meet different taste needs.
Tickets
The ticket price is 10 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "国家植物园" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the National Botanical Garden are adjusted according to seasons. During the peak season (April 1 to October 31), it is open from 6:00 to 19:00, and the admission stops at 18:00. During the off-season (November 1 to March 31 of the following year), it is open from 7:00 to 17:00, and the admission stops at 16:00. Indoor exhibition areas such as the Tropical Greenhouse are open from 8:30 to 16:30 (peak season) and 9:00 to 16:00 (off-season). The park is open throughout the year except on New Year's Eve, and the specific opening hours are subject to the daily announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Enter from the south gate of the park and first visit the Tropical Greenhouse to appreciate the wonders of tropical plants. Then go to the Peony Garden (best in spring) or Rose Garden (best in summer) to enjoy flowers. Then walk to Cherry Valley and stroll along the metasequoia forest plank road to feel the natural ecology. Have lunch in the park's restaurant or around. In the afternoon, visit the Science Museum to learn plant science knowledge. Then go to special gardens such as the Perennial Flower Garden and Begonia Garden. Finally, exit from the west gate. If time permits, you can drop by the nearby Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall. This route covers the main attractions, balancing appreciation and science popularization, and takes about 5-6 hours in total.
Transportation
- Bus: Take bus routes 331, 505, 563, Xijiao Line, etc., and get off at the "National Botanical Garden" station.
- Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Anheqiaobei Terminal, and transfer to Xijiao Line (tram) to "National Botanical Garden" station.
- Self-driving: There are multiple parking lots around the park, such as the parking lot outside the south gate and the west gate parking lot. The parking fee is about 10 yuan per hour, which may be tight during holidays.
Must-visit Attractions
- Cherry Valley: About 700 meters long, stroll along the metasequoia forest plank road, feel the natural freshness, with high negative oxygen ion content, a natural oxygen bar.
- Tropical Greenhouse: A large Asian greenhouse of 17,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 species of tropical plants, offering a one-stop experience of rainforest and desert landscapes.
- Peony Garden: 1.6 hectares, more than 600 peony varieties, more than 5,000 plants. When flowers bloom from April to May in spring, it is a paradise for flower appreciation with national beauty and heavenly fragrance.
- Science Museum: Displays knowledge of plant evolution, ecology, etc., with rich interactive experience projects, suitable for parent-child science education.
Tour Tips
- In spring (April-May), focus on enjoying peonies, peach blossoms, etc. In summer (June-August), roses and lotuses are in full bloom. In autumn (September-October), the red leaf landscape is excellent. In winter (November-March), you can visit the greenhouse and plum blossom exhibition.
- The park is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and carry a water bottle and a small amount of snacks. Those with limited physical strength can take the park's battery car (10 yuan/person).
- The humidity in the Tropical Greenhouse is high, so you can prepare a thin coat in advance. Cherry Valley often has mist in the morning or after rain, which is a good time for photography.
- There are many visitors during holidays, so it is recommended to travel off-peak and enter the park early in the morning to avoid the peak flow of people.
- For playing with children, focus on arranging the Science Museum, greenhouse, etc., and participate in the popular science activities held in the park (need to pay attention to the park's announcement in advance).
Notes
- Smoking and open fires are prohibited in the park. Do not pick plants or harm animals at will.
- Some plants in the Tropical Greenhouse are toxic. Please do not touch them and follow the warning signs in the exhibition area.
- The plank road in Cherry Valley is slippery. Pay attention to foot safety when it rains or is foggy, and take good care of the elderly and children.
- Do not picnic or set up tents in non-designated areas, and keep the park environment clean.
- Carrying pets must comply with park regulations, and pets are prohibited from entering some areas.
- In case of bad weather or special events, the park may temporarily close some areas.