Taoranting Park is located in Xicheng District, Beijing, China. It is a historical and cultural park that integrates ancient and modern gardening art, highlighting the Chinese nation's "pavilion culture" as its main content. The park is a national 4A-level scenic area, covering an area of about 56.56 hectares, of which the water area is about 16.15 hectares. The natural landscape and cultural landscape in the park complement each other with distinct characteristics, especially known for many pavilions of different styles. It is a famous tourist attraction and a gathering place for historical and cultural relics in Beijing.
History and Culture
The history of Taoranting can be traced back to the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. In the 34th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1695), Jiang Zao, a senior official of the Ministry of Works, was ordered to supervise the Heiyao Factory. He built a small pavilion in the west of Cibei Nunnery and named it "Taoranting" after the word "Taoran" in Bai Juyi's poem "Wait until the chrysanthemums are yellow and the homemade wine is mature, and get drunk with you and be carefree". Due to its unique geographical location and cultural atmosphere, Taoranting became a gathering place for literati, leaving many poems and essays.
In modern times, Taoranting also has important historical significance. It was an important place for revolutionary activities, and many older generation proletarian revolutionaries engaged in revolutionary activities here, making contributions to the Chinese revolutionary cause. Buildings such as Cibei Nunnery in the park still retain the style of that year, becoming an important carrier for inheriting historical culture and revolutionary spirit.
Main Attractions
Taoranting Pavilion
Taoranting Pavilion is the core attraction of the park. It was built in the 34th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1695) and is a famous pavilion of the Qing Dynasty, one of the four famous pavilions in China. The pavilion is made of brick and wood, with a green glazed tile roof. There is a couplet in the pavilion: "Smoke hides the ancient temple, and no one comes; the couch leans against the deep hall, and the moon comes", reflecting its quiet and elegant artistic conception.
Cibei Nunnery
Cibei Nunnery was built in the Yuan Dynasty and is a Buddhist nunnery. The buildings in the nunnery are simple and elegant and well-preserved. It was an important place for revolutionary activities. Older generation proletarian revolutionaries such as Li Dazhao and Mao Zedong once held meetings and discussed revolutionary issues here, with important historical value.
Huaxia Famous Pavilions Garden
Huaxia Famous Pavilions Garden is a characteristic park of Taoranting Park. It reconstructs 10 famous pavilions across the country, such as Aishan Pavilion in Changsha, Hunan, and Huxin Pavilion in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. These pavilions are reconstructed in a 1:1 ratio, with different architectural styles, showing the charm of Chinese traditional pavilion culture.
Yunhui Building · Qingyin Pavilion
Yunhui Building · Qingyin Pavilion was originally built in Zhongnanhai, Beijing and moved to Taoranting Park in 1954. The building group is exquisitely laid out with carved beams and painted pillars, with high artistic value. It was once a place where the emperor watched plays and enjoyed the moon, and now it has become an important landscape in the park.
Food
Taoranting Special Snacks
There are many special snacks in and around the park. For example, rock sugar haws, made of fresh hawthorns, are sweet and sour, a traditional snack loved by tourists. There is also old Beijing noodles with soybean paste, with chewy noodles and rich sauce, paired with side dishes such as cucumbers and bean sprouts, with authentic taste. In addition, Beijing traditional pastries such as pea yellow and glutinous rice rolls with bean paste can also be tasted here, with delicate taste and not too sweet.
Surrounding Food
There are many restaurants around the park, offering a variety of cuisines. Nearby time-honored restaurants include Shaguoju, famous for its casserole white meat, with tender meat and rich soup. There is also Liuquanju, known for Beijing-style stir-fries and bean buns, with thin skin and plenty of filling, sweet in taste. In addition, there are some home-style restaurants and snack bars around, which can meet the taste needs of different tourists.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket price is 2 RMB per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京市陶然亭公园" on WeChat to get the latest updates. As of June 22, 2025, this official WeChat public account does not provide an online ticketing function.
Opening Hours
Taoranting Park is open throughout the year. The opening hours are: Summer (April 1 - October 31) 6:00 - 21:00, and the park closes at 22:00; Winter (November 1 - March 31 of the following year) 6:30 - 21:00, and the park closes at 21:30. The opening hours on legal holidays and during the summer vacation may be adjusted, subject to the park's notice.
Tour Route
A recommended classic tour route: Enter from the east gate of the park, first visit Huaxia Famous Pavilions Garden to enjoy the charm of famous pavilions from all over the country; then go to Taoranting Pavilion to feel the historical and cultural atmosphere of the famous pavilion; then go to Cibei Nunnery to understand the revolutionary history; after that, go to Yunhui Building · Qingyin Pavilion to appreciate the art of ancient buildings; finally, take a walk by the lake in the park to enjoy the natural landscape. This route can not only appreciate the cultural landscape of the park but also enjoy the natural beauty, taking about 3-4 hours in total.
Transportation
- Bus: Take buses No. 2, 5, 12, 66, 70, 102, 106, 109, Zhuan 13, etc., and get off at Taoranting Park South Gate Station; take buses No. 40, 59, Zhuan 13, etc., and get off at Taoranting Park North Gate Station.
- Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Taoranting Station, exit from Exit C, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach the park.
- Self-driving: There are parking lots around the park. Self-driving tourists can park their vehicles in the parking lots and then walk into the park.
Must-visit Attractions
- Taoranting Pavilion: One of the four famous pavilions in China, with a long history and deep cultural heritage, is the landmark attraction of the park.
- Huaxia Famous Pavilions Garden: It reconstructs 10 famous pavilions across the country, showing the charm of Chinese traditional pavilion culture, and is a good place to understand Chinese pavilion culture.
- Cibei Nunnery: It has important historical significance, is an important place for revolutionary activities, retains the style of that year, and is an important carrier for inheriting historical culture and revolutionary spirit.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn when the weather is suitable and the park is beautiful.
- Wear comfortable shoes when visiting to facilitate walking in the park.
- You can bring some snacks and water to enjoy during breaks in the park.
- If you are interested in history and culture, it is recommended to hire a guide for explanation to better understand the history and culture of the park.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the park to keep the environment clean.
- Take care of the cultural relics, historic sites, flowers, and trees in the park, and do not climb or pick at will.
- When playing by the lake, pay attention to safety and do not approach the lake or swim in the water.
- Abide by the opening hours of the park and leave the park on time.
- When visiting during holidays, pay attention to the large number of people and take good care of personal belongings.