Yuyuantan Park is one of the larger parks in Beijing, serving as an ideal destination for citizens to unwind and take leisurely strolls. It features two large lakes,东湖 and 西湖, with willows lining the shores and offering a picturesque view. The park is also home to one of the largest cherry blossom gardens in the city, making cherry blossom viewing in Yuyuantan a popular event throughout the capital during March and April each year.
Yuyuantan Park has entrances in all cardinal directions, covering a vast area within, approximately 2 kilometers long and nearly 1 kilometer wide. The park contains numerous attractions, which can be summarized into the northern cherry blossom garden, the central two large lakes, and the southern recreational and scenic area. Visitors typically spend half a day exploring the park on foot. The northern cherry blossom garden, known for its cherry blossoms, is a renowned spot within the park. It is a garden within a garden and one of the largest cherry blossom gardens in Beijing. Thousands of cherry trees, imported from Japan, are planted here, with different varieties blooming at various times, ensuring a spectacular display of cherry blossoms from late March to April. This period also sees the park hold a cherry blossom festival, with numerous food and specialty shopping stalls, attracting a large crowd. However, during this time, the park’s admission fee increases to 10 yuan, and it can be crowded on weekends and holidays like Qingming. Boating on the central lakes,东湖 and 西湖, each about 700 meters long and surrounded by weeping willows, with the distant TV tower reflected in the water, provides a serene environment. There are several docks where visitors can rent boats, either electric or pedal-powered, seating 4-6 people, with rental prices ranging from 60-120 yuan per hour and a deposit of 200-400 yuan required. Besides boating, strolling along the lakeside, especially during the evening when the sun sets, is a pleasant alternative. The southern part of the park is divided into two sections; the eastern side focuses on scenic areas, including the 留春园 and landscape avenues, featuring arboreal horticulture and pavilions, akin to garden scenery. The western side offers children’s entertainment such as bumper cars, fruit and flower mountain rafting, and small amusement parks, each costing around 20 yuan, suitable for visitors with children. In winter, a snow amusement park is also available on the western side, where visitors can enjoy activities like snow tubing, ice sledding, and horse-drawn sleighs. The park is open from 09/01 to 05/31 from 06:00 to 21:30 and from 06/01 to 08/31 from 06:00 to 22:30. Children under 6 years old or with a height of 1.3 meters (inclusive) or less are eligible for preferential policies.Children under 2 meters tall enter for free. On International Children’s Day, children under 14 years old (inclusive) and one accompanying parent can enter for free. Students aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive) enjoy half-price tickets. Full-time undergraduate and below students can present a valid ID or student card. Youths from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan can use their valid identity documents such as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents to purchase tickets at half price.
Elderly people with the ‘Beijing Tong – Elderly Assistance Card’ can enter the park by swiping their card (during major cultural events, entry is according to the park’s publicized schedule). Foreign visitors aged 60 and above, as well as those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, can exchange their valid IDs, travel permits, or passports for tickets to enter the park. Retired personnel can enter for free with their retirement certificate. Disabled individuals and military personnel, including active-duty soldiers, disabled veterans, retired military officers, armed police, and fire rescue personnel, can enter for free with their valid identification. Social security recipients can enter at half price with their social security benefit certificate. Additionally, the educational base within the park – the Chinese Young Hero Memorial, is free for minors (citizens under 18 years old).
