Zizhuyuan Park? You may have never heard of it. But it is my favorite park in Beijing. Here are the reasons.

1. It is extremely accessible.

It is just a few minutes’ walk from my home. More importantly, situated inside the 3rd Ring Road with 7 entrances, the park is well served by public transportation. It is easily reached via National Library Station on Metro Lines 4, 9, and 16, where certain exits lead directly to the park gates. Numerous bus routes also stop nearby, providing convenient access from across the city. Best of all, admission is free and no reservation is required; the park is open daily from early morning until late evening, making it very visitor-friendly.

2. It is very well maintained.

Ancient buildings and cultural relics are carefully restored using traditional materials and techniques. Bamboo groves and lotus ponds receive professional horticultural care year-round. Cleanliness, accessibility, public rest areas, and clear signage are all well-maintained, creating a comfortable and peaceful environment for visitors. There are even 11 restrooms equipped with both cooling and heating systems!

3.It boasts an impressive botanical landscape.

As a famous bamboo-themed urban park,it is home to nearly 70 species of bamboo totaling over 800,000 plants, including purple bamboo, mottled bamboo, golden-thread jade bamboo and Buddha’s belly bamboo. More than 300 kinds of plants thrive here, including ginkgo, metasequoia, magnolia, crabapple, peony and lotus. The park presents distinct seasonal scenery: fresh green bamboo in spring, blooming lotus in summer, red foliage in autumn and snow-dusted bamboo in winter.

4.It has beautiful landscape design with a distinct traditional Chinese charm.

The park follows the elegant style of Jiangnan gardens. Covering 45.7 hectares, one-third of which is water, it features a layout of “three lakes, two islands and one dike”. Scenic spots including Qinglian Island, Mingyue Island, the elegant Bayi Xuan Pavilion and Yunshi Garden blend water, rocks, pavilions and bamboo corridors in perfect harmony. The historic Fuyin Zizhuyuan Imperial Palace further enriches the cultural depth of the garden.

5. People and animals enjoy the park together, in perfect harmony.

6. Yes you can enjoy it at night - unlike many other gated parks!

Peak Season (April 1 – October 31)  Open: 6:00 Last admission: 21:00 Close: 22:00

Off-Peak Season (November 1 – March 31) Open: 6:00 Last admission: 21:00 Close: 21:30

Yours Truly

Angie Guo - Charmission Travel