Parks and Temples of Beijing

  Beijing, China
Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The week after the Olympics saw me racing around BJ visiting temples and park that had been on my "list to do/see things" for the past 2 years. So here it goes:

Ditan Park
Just north of the Lama Temple outside Beijing's Second Ring Road, Ditan Park (Temple of Earth) is a 40-acre square of towering pine and cypress trees. It was built in 1530 during the Ming dynasty as a place where emperors of both the Ming and subsequent Qing dynasties could perform sacrifices to the gods for good harvests, auspicious weather and a stable nation. This was the Temple where emperors worshipped the Earth God. Now it is open to the public and temple fairs are held here during Spring Festivals.

Ditan Park - Bell Tower

Rendinghu Park
This park which was laid out in 1958 and is unique in that it emphasizes Western-style architecture. It originally served as local recreation spot and as a convenient passage to a nearby vegetable market. The market was closed down, and the park remodeled in 1996. The designer, Tan Xin used the three salient features of Western parks- lawns, pools and statues-in a harmonious manner to give the park its Western flavor. There are no benches, but large black stones placed in the shade of trees form resting places. Six blue 20-m-high towers overshadow a man-made lake, which has an umbrella-shaped pavilion.
In the southern part of the park, varieties of Western building styles from different ages are represented. Zigzag walls enclose Greek, Roman and French courtyards, as well as a churchyard from the Middle Ages. The most outstanding construction is called River Sources. It is an ltalian-style garden with a three-tiered fountain topped by three marble statuse representing the mother rivers of three ancient civilizations. The statues along the main path in this area of the park are replicas of Roman and Greek masterpieces.

Rendinghu Park - French style2

Purple Bamboo Park (ZiZhuYuan)
The Purple Bamboo Park, also known as the Black Bamboo Park, although purple is the direct translation, is a large park of 14 Hectares just to the west of Beijing Zoo and the National Library. It has three connected lakes with two islands, lotus flowers, small hills, streams, bridges, pavilions, rock gardens and about 50 varieties of bamboo. The Bamboo Park also features boating, play and exercise areas, teahouses and cafes, and a small crafts market.

Purple Bamboo Park2

Ritan Park - the Temple of Sun - is one of the four royal shrines, and is the altar of the Sun. Built in 1530 it was used by Ming and Qing Emperors to make sacrifices to the gods. But now Ritan is one of Beijing's more peaceful parks. Certainly not as impressive or lively as the Temple of Heaven, Ritan is one of the best spots to see old folk practise t'ai chi, swordplay or twirling napkins in the morning without hordes of tourists flooding the place. Stop in for a rest at the Stone Boat Café or one of the other restaurants surrounding the park.

Ritan Park - Stone Boat Cafe

Feng Huang Ling Park(Phoenix Mountain)
Mountain climbing and maple leaf viewing are possible at Phoenix Mountain and Baiwang Mountain.
Venue: Phoenix Mountain (Niegezhuang, Haidian District) and Baiwang Mountain (north of the Summer Palace)
Tel: +86 10 6245 5933 (Phoenix Mountain), 6288 4508 (Baiwang Mountain)

1-Fenghuang Mountain Park

Dongyue Temple

Dongyue Temple - Department of deities

Wutasi Temple (Five Pagoda Temple)

Wutasi - Temple View