Purple Bamboo Garden

Purple Bamboo Garden is situated at 45, Baishiqiao Lu and near the west of the Capital Gymnasium in Haidian District. In ancient times, it was a low-lying wetland. In the era of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the Tonghui River, excavated by Guo Shoujing (a mathematician and astronomer), flowed through this land. During the days of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zizhuyuan temple was built on the north coast of the lake, and later, the statue of Avalokitesvara was worshipped in the temple under the order of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). After 1949, it was renovated and opened to public under the name of Zizhuyuan Park (Purple Bamboo Garden).
 

Construction of Purple Bamboo Garden

The garden covers an area of 473,500 square meters (117 acres), including three lakes and two small islands. The three lakes, filled with lotus blossoms, occupy one third of the area. The two small islands are surrounded by the lakes and are connected by an arch bridge. Scattered corridors and pavilions create many beautiful scenic spots throughout the Park. In the north of the park lies the enchanting serenity of Yunshi Garden, recently designed in a unique South River style. A hexagonal pavilion, an elaborate courtyard and bamboos are blended into the picturesque disorder of this untamed garden, harmonizing with the gentle slope and man-made hills created within this garden. You can also discover a river, a bridge, a lotus pond and all kinds of stones in Yunshi Garden, evoking an imaginative, fairytale landscape. In the west of the garden, there is a cockloft named Baoen Lou and a fishing hole, made up with purple bamboos. In the south of the Garden, you can find a hill house and a Children's Eden. In the middle of the garden, you can see two small islets, Blue Lotus Islet and Moon Islet. An elegant and unique double-storey waterside pavilion stands beside Moon Island, offering the perfect place to look out and admire the moon.

The most beautiful of the scenic spots is Bayixuan Pavilion, on the south side of the Blue Lotus Islet. It has an area of approximately 2,500 square meters (0.62 acres). With a lotus pond in front and ten thousand of green bamboos behind, Bayixuan Pavilion shows ingenuity in conception and design. It is interdependent of Zhuyunshi Garden and Blue Lotus Platform. The Zhuyunshi Garden are engraved with paintings and poems reflecting wind, rain, frost and snow, appreciating the variety of bamboo scenes as they change with the seasons. Lotus Ferry is another beautiful landscape within the garden. Here, the fertile soil and suitable water temperatures favors the growth of water lilies, and the lush lotuses are a truly magnificent sight to see. In summer, visitors can boat on the lake to make the most of this idyllic beauty.
 

Bamboo Scenery

Constructed around canals and large lakes, it is renowned for its bamboo scenery. Entering the garden, you will find yourself in a bamboo world. The garden has more than 50 species of bamboos on display. Among the diverse bamboo stock, such as mottled bamboos, purple bamboos, fishpole bamboos, the most common by far is the purple bamboo. Every year, people flock to the Bamboo Culture Festival, held from April to June. Most things in the garden are decorated with bamboo, including the floor, pavilion, table, chair and the bridge. You can find the spice of the Dong people (a minority in China) resting on the Wind and Rain Bridge. You will gain a better understanding about Chinese bamboo culture through the many kinds of bamboo buildings found here, and may even come across some of the many happily enjoy the art of bamboo dancing.
 

How to get to Purple Bamboo Garden

By bus:
1. Take bus 77, 87, 114, 118, 334, 360, 362, 534, 588, 658, or Yuntong 104 and get off at Zizhuyuan South Gate Station.
2. Take bus 588 and get off at Zizhuyuan North Gate.

By subway:
Take Subway Line 4/ Line 9 to National Library and leave from Exit D. After that, walk west for 2 minutes, you will get to the East Gate of Purple Bamboo Garden.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search
 

Admission Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Apr. - Oct.: 06:00-21:00
Nov. - Mar.: 06:00-20:00
Best Time to Visit: May, September, October

 Top Things to Do Neighboring Purple Bamboo Garden:
 Beijing Zoo  
 Imperial Waterway Cruise
- Last updated on Sep. 09, 2019 -
Questions & Answers on Purple Bamboo Garden
Asked by SUNNY09 | Sep. 08, 2019 11:34Reply
Is it worth visiting Purple Bamboo Garden in December?
Answers (1)
Answered by Colin from USA | Sep. 09, 2019 19:49
00Reply


I think you can appreciate the different wonderful view in winter.
Asked by Michelle from DENMARK | Feb. 13, 2016 10:15Reply
Can I take the boat from Beijing Zoo to the Bamboo Garden?
And how much does it cost? I am unsure if it is 40 or 70? and I have seen somewhere that it is 25?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mary from USA | Feb. 13, 2016 21:28
03Reply


Yes, you can. It costs CNY 40 for a single trp; CNY 70 for a round trip. ;)
Asked by Henry from INDONESIA | Nov. 11, 2015 04:24Reply
We want from Beijing Zoo-Purple Bamboo Park- Summer Palace -Botanical Garden - Fragrant Park
Can we reach all in 1 day? How to go to each place? Can we go by boat? Thx
Answers (4)
Answered by Ryan from FRANCE | Nov. 13, 2015 21:12
22Reply


One day is not enough for you to tour around these scenic spots. Thus you may arrange the sightseeing like this: Zoo - Purple Bamboo Park - Summer Palace.
About the transportation, you can take the boat from Loyal Port (Zoo), and you will pass the Purple Bamboo Park and finally arrive at Summer Palace (South Gate).
If you don't stay too long in the Summer Palace, then you will have time to visit Botanical Garden. From the Summer Palace, you can take bus no.563, get off at South Gate of the garden directly.

I think you mean Fragrant Hill Park. It is a little bit far from these attractions and you are suggested to visit another day.
Answered by Henry Ho from INDONESIA | Nov. 14, 2015 02:51
01Reply


Ok thank you Ryan for your suggestion and information.
Answered by Henry Ho from INDONESIA | Jan. 08, 2016 06:34
11Reply


I have another question, after visiting Purple Bamboo Park, want to continue to Summer Palace by boat, what I have to do? Thanks
Answered by Ruby | Jan. 08, 2016 19:06
11Reply


You need to go back to the port (Ziyuwan Port) where you disembark to get onboard again and continue to Summer Palace. Please be aware that the boat departs every hour on the hour.
Asked by Steven from VIETNAM | Sep. 07, 2014 10:56Reply
How to get to Purple Bamboo Garden from Beijing Zoo?
Will I be able to catch a cab to move between the 2 venues? Thanks a lot!
Answers (1)
Answered by Jackson from USA | Sep. 10, 2014 21:58
20Reply


No cab is needed, for it is only around 750 meter between the two spots. After visiting the zoo, walk along Xiwai Dajie to Zizhuyuan Road to find the garden.
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