Spring has arrived in Beijing, with blossoms at their peak everywhere. Check out these routes for a trip amid fragrant flowers in the capital!
Route 1: Boating and Viewing Peach Blossoms in the Summer Palace
[Photo via Beijing Haidian]
East Palace Gate (Donggongmen) → Souvenir flagship store at the East Palace Gate (for souvenirs and stamping) → Wenchang Tower Pier (take a boat ride or rent an electric boat to view peach blossoms along the West Dike) → West Dike (walk and take photos by the water) → Yifei Café (take a rest by the lake) → Xijiujian - Yihe Food House (sesame cakes and cultural products) → Gongshi - Shouchun Mountain Café (in the Garden of Harmonious Pleasures) → Exit at the South Ruyi Gate (Nanruyimen)
Other recommended places for viewing peach blossoms: China National Botanical Garden, Erdaogou at Shilipu in Chaoyang District, Dahuashan Town in Pinggu District, Baiwang Mountain Forest Park, White Pagoda at Beihai Park
Route 2: Drinking Tea and Viewing Magnolia at Tanzhe Temple
Saucer magnolia trees at Tanzhe Temple → Tanzhe Temple → Lishuyuan (tea and coffee) → Jiafu Souvenir Store (Beijing Gift Store) at the west of the main gate → TANKO Commercial Street
Other recommended places for viewing magnolia: North side of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Leshoutang in the Summer Palace, Beijing International Sculpture Park in Shijingshan District, Dajue Temple and Wanshou Temple in Haidian District
Route 3: Listening to Music and Viewing Pear Blossoms at Zhihua Temple
[Photo via the official WeChat account of Zhihua Temple]
Zhihua Temple → Beijing-style music performances at Zhihua Temple → Pear blossoms at Zhihua Temple → Zhihua Temple's caisson ceiling → Lumicang Hutong → Fulumihang Coffee and Lumicang New Audio-Visual Industrial Park
Other recommended places for viewing pear blossoms: Palace of Celestial Favour (Chengqian gong) at the Forbidden City, Panggezhuang Town in Daxing District, Junzhuang Town in Mentougou District
Route 4: Viewing Apricot Blossoms While Waiting for the "Train to Spring" at Juyongguan
[Photo via the WeChat account "Changping Quan"]
Juyongguan Great Wall → Viewing platform → Wait for the "Train to Spring" on Beijing Suburban Railway Line S2 passing through the sea of flowers → View apricot blossoms nearby → Juyongguan Great Wall, the "Greatest Pass Under Heaven" → Juyong Diecui, one of the "Eight Great Sights of Yanjing"
Other recommended places for viewing apricot blossoms: Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall in Huairou District, China National Botanical Garden, Beijing WTown in Miyun District
Route 5: Drinking Coffee and Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Yuyuantan Park
Enter from the West Gate → Xiaoying Shangdian (a store for souvenirs and coffee) → Friendship Cherry Blossom Forest → Nanshan Cherry Blossom Viewing Area (lake view) → Zhongdi Bridge (a prime photo spot) → Yingluo Flower Valley (tunnel views) → Map Store
Also recommended for viewing cherry blossoms: China National Botanical Garden
Route 6: Drinking Tea and Viewing Lilacs at Jietai Temple
[Photo via the official WeChat account of Jietai Temple]
Jietai Temple → Ancient lilac trees → Peony Courtyard at Jietai Temple → TANKO Commercial Street
Other recommended places for viewing lilacs: Fayuan Temple, Temple of Heaven Park, Jianguomen Outer Street
Route 7: Wearing Hanfu and Viewing Crabapple Blossoms in the Forbidden City
[Photo via the official WeChat account of the Palace Museum]
Outside Donghua Gate (for renting traditional hanfu clothing) → Meridian Gate → Crabapple blossoms in front of the Hall of Literary Brilliance → Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Store → Peking Chamber Roast Duck (Donghua Gate Branch or Wangfujing Branch)
Other recommended places for viewing crabapple blossoms: Crabapple Blossom Creek in Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park, Crabapple Blossom Creek at Wangjing, Fayuan Temple, China National Botanical Garden, Taoranting Park, Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling
Route 8: Eating Buns and Viewing Tulips in Zhongshan Park
[Photo via the official WeChat account of Beijing Zhongshan Park]
Zhongshan Park → Altar of Earth and Harvests → Zhongshan Hall (the former site of the conference venue for representatives from all walks of life in former Beiping City) → Tulips → Laijin Yuxuan Restaurant (buns stuffed with preserved vegetables, and afternoon tea) → Souvenir store
Other recommended places for viewing tulips: Beijing International Flower Port in Shunyi District, China National Botanical Garden
Route 9: Walking on Old Railway Tracks and Viewing Chinese Violet Cress in Jiangfu Park
[Photo via Beijing Chaoyang]
Jiangfu Park → Abandoned railway tracks → Chinese violet cress → Langyuan Station (main venue of the Beijing Film & Life Festival of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival, creative market, coffee, dining, etc.)
Other recommended places for viewing Chinese violet cress: Temple of Heaven Park, North Gate of the Olympic Forest Park (south area)
Route 10: Walking Along Mountain Path and Viewing Peonies in Jingshan Park
[Photo via the WeChat account "Changyou Gongyuan"]
Jingshan Park → Peonies along the southern slopes → Wanchun Pavilion → Overlooking the Forbidden City and viewing the Beijing Central Axis from afar → Jingshan Park's souvenir store → Drum Tower
Other recommended places for viewing peonies: Zhongshan Park, Guizhou Peony Garden in Yanqing District, Taiyanggong Park in Chaoyang District
Got any picks? Invite your loved ones and friends to explore the beauty of spring blossoms in Beijing!
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
