Taoranting Park - Temple of Xiannong - Fayuan Temple - Niujie Great Mosque - Daguanyuan

Fayuan Temple

Today's tour starts at Taoranting Park. It is the first modern park to be created following the foundation of the People's Republic of China. The park is held in high regard by many noted literary men from both ancient and modern China due to the existence of some historical sites and other interesting features. They include the Longshu Temple, the Black Dragon Pool and the Nezha Temple as well as tombs of some famous historical figures. The most famous building is definitely the Taoranting Pavilion, from which the park gets its name. The admission is CNY2.00 and you may need half an hour to one hour to visit it if you are interested.

You can rent a bicycle outside Taoranting Park and start your day's exploration. Ride along the Yongdingmen Binhe Road and turn north at Yongdingmen Inner Street. The ride is about 1.9 kilometers. On the western side of the street, you can visit the Temple of Xiannong. This was where Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors went each year to worship and offer sacrifices to the Gods of Agriculture for good harvests and fine rain. The Museum of Ancient Chinese Architecture is located within this temple complex. This was the first museum to house a professional collection devoted to the study and display of the art and achievements of ancient Chinese architects.

Jiaozi Hutong

Continue your ride in a northerly direction along the Yonganmen Inner Street until you reach Zhushikou West Street, at the junction with Luomashi Street, turn south at Hufang Road, where you will find the Huguang Guildhall on the right hand side. The distance covered is about 4.7 kilometers. Huguang Guildhall used to be a meeting place for business men of Hunan and Hubei provinces where they could consult and socialize. It was here that the great revolutionary Dr. Sun Yatsen announced the foundation of Kuomintang, the National People's Party.

Ride along Luomashi Street to Guanganmen Inner Street, and turn south at the Jiaozi Hutong, then ride straight ahead to Fayuansi Front Street to visit the Fayuan Temple, an example of Qing Dynasty architecture and a quiet retreat in the busy city. This is earliest of Beijing's ancient temples and is now the seat of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the Buddhist Library.

Ox Street Mosque

Upon completion of your visit, ride to the west along Fayuansi Front Street; pass by Chunfeng Hutong until you reach the famous Niujie Street. This is a Muslim street and renowned for its variety of Muslim food. Here you can either dine at a restaurant of your choice or maybe walk along the street where lots of the vendors sell many kinds of snacks and souvenirs. Niujie Great Mosque is located here and as the oldest mosque in Beijing with its mix of Chinese and Islamic architecture, it is well worth a visit.

Ride south along Niujie for about another kilometer to Youanmen Inner Street, where you should turn west on Baizhifang West Street. You then go south once more at Nancaiyuan Street where you can visit Daguanyuan (Grand View Garden), the garden is a replica of that described in the famous Chinese novel “A Dream of Red Mansions” and it was here that the movie of that name was filmed. This part of your tour is about 4.5 kilometers. After visiting the garden, you should ride east along the Youanmen East Street to arrive back at Taoranting Park; this part is about 5 kilometers.

The total distance you will have travelled is about 12.5 kilometers (approx. 8 miles).