Lotuses and water lilies are now coming into their full bloom across Beijing's parks. Here's a guide to some of the city's best places to enjoy them.

The Summer Palace

Recently, nearly 250,000 square meters of lotuses have begun blooming all over the Summer Palace. The lotuses have already entered their peak blossoming period in areas surrounding Yanshangzhai in the scenic area of "Pictures of Farming and Weaving", while those along the West Dike are in their early flowering stage, with a full bloom anticipated by early July. The park's "Water Pavilion and Floral Banks" scenery blends traditional Chinese floral arrangements seamlessly with ancient pavilions reflected in the water. A dedicated café area has also been set up, allowing visitors to drink tea by the water while admiring the lotus blossoms. For a closer look, visitors can take a boat ride along the West Dike to drift through the lotus ponds. Meanwhile, the winding shores along the Garden of Harmonious Pleasures feature a dense tapestry of lotuses and water lilies, offering a picturesque view in every direction. The lotuses of Kunming Lake boast a long history; and the lake is an exceptional spot for photography in the early morning.

The lotus pond in the scenic area of "Pictures of Farming and Weaving" in the Summer Palace. 

[Photo via the Summer Palace]

Zizhuyuan Park 

The primary viewing locations are situated along the waterways of the park's Nanxiaohu (South Small Lake) and Beixiaohu (North Small Lake), as well as those in the Yunshiyuan Scenic Area. Highlights include the striking red-and-yellow Wanvisa hardy water lilies, famous for their exceptional beauty. Visitors can also admire the giant water lilies growing amidst cascades and rockeries, evoking the classic elegance of a traditional Jiangnan garden. The water lilies are now at their peak viewing season, while the lotuses are expected to enter their prime blooming period by mid-July, with the overall blooming season extending through mid-to-late August.

Yuyuantan Park

The park boasts two premier lotus-viewing locations, each offering its own unique charm. Cherry Blossom Lake features the park's greatest variety of lotus cultivars and offers the most picturesque landscape. With a cultivation area spanning nearly 8,000 square meters, the lotuses here are currently in full bloom. Meanwhile, the Wanping Hexiang Scenic Area, situated on the southern shore of the park's West Lake, covers an expansive area of nearly 10,000 square meters. The lotuses there are blooming one after the other, with a flowering season that can extend all the way into September.

China National Botanical Garden (South Garden)

The garden features a dedicated blossom-viewing area spanning approximately 4,000 square meters. The Ancient Lotus Pond near the garden's west gate displays nine distinct ancient lotus varieties collected and preserved by the garden. Concurrently, the plaza to the west of the pond showcases the two original lotus species native to Asia and America, both displayed in elegant potted arrangements. Further into the grounds, the aquatic and vine zones feature vibrant ponds cultivated with roughly 50 lotus cultivars and 140 water lily varieties, showcasing striking aquatic plants like the giant water lilies and the prickly water lilies. Standing on the eastern bank of the ponds is the Emperor Kangxi's Lotus-Viewing Stele, a historic monument that infuses the breathtaking landscape with profound historical value. 

Lianhuachi Park

The 2026 Beijing Lotus Cultural Festival and the 26th Lianhuachi Park Lotus Culture Season officially opened at the park on June 26. Lotuses in this park are now in their peak blooming season, with an impressive collection of over 380 lotus cultivars, and more than 7,000 pots of premium potted lotuses on display alongside an expansive 20,000-square-meter open-air lotus wetland. Notably, a pair of rare twin lotus flowers has emerged simultaneously in the potted cultivation area, both in the budding stage currently.

Taoranting Park

The lotus blossoming season runs from late June through early to mid July. Surrounded by water on three sides, the Chuitai Pavilion offers a remarkable setting where blooming lotuses, traditional pavilions, and weeping willows complement one another beautifully, making it a refreshing escape on a summer day.

Olympic Forest Park 

Large groups of lotuses spread across the park's wetlands, together with water lilies, reeds and other aquatic plants, creating beautiful natural scenery. The best viewing season runs from late June to late August.

(Sources: The Beijing News, Beijing Fengtai)