Yuyuantan Park (Jade Lake Park)

Located in Haidian District, Yuyuantan Park, also named Jade Lake Park, is easily accessible, with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to its eastern gate, China Central Radio and Television Tower to its west, Navy General Hospital to its north and China Millennium Monument to its south. With 1,820 meters (1.13 miles) wide from west to east and 1,106 meters (0.69 miles) long from north to south, it covers an area of 136.69 hectares and the water surface spans an area of 61 hectares.

Back in Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), Yuyuantan Park was already a famous scenic spot. Today, celebrated for its "Cherry Blossoms Festival" every spring, the park attracts tourists from all over the world.

 

Cherry Garden

Located to the northwest of Yuyuantan Park, Cherry Garden is famous for its cherry blossoms. In the spring of 1973, 180 cherry trees were sent as gifts from Japan and were planted in the garden. Later on, more and more cherry trees were cultivated here. Today the garden has been the home for over 3,000 cherry trees. When cherry trees blossom in early spring (from late March to early April), tourists pour into the garden to join the Cherry Blossom Festival in Yuyuantan Park. Metasequoias and bamboos flourish in the garden making Cherry Garden a wonderful place even when cherry blossoms are not in bloom.

Liuchun Garden

Built in 1983, Liuchun Garden ("Liuchun" means to let the spring stay) sits to the east of it. Every spring, forsythias, magnolias, roses, crab-apple trees and other plants blossom one after another like a perpetual spring in the garden.

Inside the south entrance of Liuchun Garden, you will see a screen wall. Paintings on it are depicted by porcelain pieces. The three front pictures respectively portray a new-born baby in his mother’s embrace, a girl dancing with a swan, and a youngster pursuing knowledge, whilst three pictures designed for children are painted on the back of the wall. From a pavilion in the southwest corner of Liuchun Garden, you can enjoy a distant view of the whole garden.

Zhongshan Island

Zhongshan Island is located to the southwest of Yuyuantan Park. Spanning 800 meters (875 yards) long and 30 meters (33 yards) wide, Zhongshan Island is actually a small hill lying between Bayi Lake and West Lake. A pavilion with a double-tiered roof is built on the hill, from which the full view of Zhongshan Island and the lakes can be seen.

Yinshui Lake Scenic Area is situated to the northeast. Pine trees, gingko trees, poplar trees, crab-apples and other plants are scattered in the area. You can also go fishing in this area.

Ancient Pine Forest

Near the south gate, there is an ancient pine forest. The trees were planted in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and are over 100 years old.
 

Water Tour Routes

Kunyu (Kunming Lake-Yuyuantan Park) Line: Measuring 10km (6.2 miles), this water tour line mainly passes China Central Radio and Television Tower, Water Park and China Century Monument. Pleasure boats and gaily-painted European style cruise ships are available. Visitors can start from Kunyu Dock located at the northern bank of Bayi Lake in Jade Lake Park to the Summer Palace.

Dock: Yuyuantan Park (shipping season: April-October), Binjiao Park, Summer Palace

How to get to Yuyuantan Park

1. To the east gate: take subway line 16 to East Gate of Yuyuantan Park and take exit D.
2. To the west gate: take bus 62, 77, 323, 368, 374, 437 or 603 and get off at Yuyuantan West Gate.
3. To the south gate: take bus 65, 78, 84 or 414 and get off at Yuyuantan South Gate, walk northward and pass through China Millennium Monument to the south gate.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search

 
Admission Fee: CNY 2;
CNY 10 during Cherry Blossom Culture Exhibtions from late Mar. to the end of Apr.
Free for children under 6 and the old over 60
Half-price for the minors aged 7-18
Opening Hours: Jan. 1 - May 31 & Sep. 1 - Dec. 31: 6:00 - 21:30 (stop entering at 21:00)
Jun. 1- Aug. 31: 6:00 - 22:30 (stop entering at 21:30)

Neighboring attractions:
 CCTV Tower
 China Century Monument
 Military Museum
 Lianhuachi Park
 Pacific Underwater World

Further Reading: Where to Go in Beijing in Spring - Top 10 Destinations
- Last updated on Jul. 20, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Yuyuantan Park
Asked by Marina from RUSSIA | Mar. 17, 2024 12:38Reply
Do i need to buy a ticket in advance?
Hello. I'm a foreign tourist. How can I buy a ticket in advance? Can I buy a ticket at the park entrance?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Mar. 18, 2024 02:34
00Reply


You cannot buy a ticket at the entrance. But you can book by calling (010)88653774, or buy tickets through the "Yuyuantan Park 5G Mini Program" on Wechat.
Asked by Wkkh11gmail.com from WKKH11GMAIL.COM | Mar. 14, 2024 08:53Reply
How to go to Beijing Yuyuantan Park from St. Regis hotel
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Mar. 14, 2024 23:34
00Reply


From the hotel, walk to Jianguomen Subway Station to take subway line 1 to Muxidi, take Exit A1 and walk northward for 10 minutes or so to find the park.
Asked by Wana from MALAYSIA | Mar. 15, 2019 18:27Reply
Beijing Summer Palace to Yuyuantan Park via boat
Hi I found in Q&A that you can take boat ride from Yuyuantan Park to Summer Palace. If I am going to take the boat from Summer Palace to Yuyuantan Park, where should I go to take it and where can I buy the ticket?

Thank you.
Answers (2)
Answered by Daniel from FINLAND | Mar. 19, 2019 23:37
00Reply


Yes, you can still take the boat now. From Summer Palace, you can find the boarding site at the dock outside Ruyimen Gate.
Answered by Wana from MALAYSIA | Mar. 20, 2019 01:17
00Reply


Thank you for your answer 😊
Asked by Ms Ten from MALAYSIA | Mar. 14, 2018 03:59Reply
How to go Yuyuantan Park from Dongsi subway station? which gate I need to search from Google Maps?
Answers (1)
Answered by Eglise from FRANCE | Mar. 14, 2018 20:44
00Reply


You can take subway line 6 to Baishiqiaonan and transfer to line 9 to Military Museum. Then, leave from E2 and walk north for 10mins to the South Gate of the park.
Asked by Ryan Lee from MALAYSIA | Jul. 11, 2017 03:05Reply
Can I take the boat from Yuyuantan to the Summer Palace? How much? How long?
Answers (3)
Answered by Alex from SINGAPORE | Jul. 11, 2017 03:34
10Reply


Yes, you can take a boat there. It takes you CNY40-50 and 50 minutes in a single trip, CNY70-80 and 2 hours in a round trip. Notice the admission fee of the Summer Palace is not included.
Answered by Ryan Lee from MALAYSIA | Jul. 11, 2017 04:01
00Reply


Thanks. Is the boat ride really worth it?
Answered by Alex from SINGAPORE | Jul. 11, 2017 20:06
10Reply


Well, it’s a good chance for you to enjoy the boat fun. If you are not interested in it, then it’s a little expensive, so you can also choose to go there by bus 437, get off at New Gate of Summer Palace.
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