Beijing Cherry Blossoms
**Yuyuantan Park** is a famous urban park in Haidian District, Beijing, renowned for its natural scenery and cherry blossoms. It's a popular destination for locals and tourists alike for leisure and flower viewing. Below is a detailed introduction to Yuyuantan Park:
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### **Basic Information**
- **Location**: No. 10, West 3rd Ring Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing (adjacent to the CCTV Tower).
- **Area**: Approx. 137 hectares, including a water area of 61 hectares.
- **Features**: Cherry blossom-themed park; the Spring Cherry Blossom Festival attracts a large number of tourists; ginkgo and red leaves can be enjoyed in autumn.
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### **Main Attractions**
1. **Cherry Blossom Garden**
- The largest cherry blossom garden in North China, with over 30 varieties and nearly 3,000 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura.
- **Cherry Blossom Festival**: Held annually from late March to mid-April, the best viewing period is early April (subject to weather conditions).
- Iconic attractions: Cherry Blossom Avenue, Cherry Blossom Lawn, Cherry Blossom Wharf.
2. **East and West Lakes**
- The vast lake offers boating (summer) or ice skating (winter), and the island in the center of the lake is a great place for sightseeing and photography.
3. **CCTV Tower Observation Deck**
- The 386-meter-tall CCTV Tower adjacent to the park offers a panoramic view of Yuyuantan Park and the Beijing cityscape.
4. **Liuchunyuan Garden, Liyingyuan Garden**
- Classical Chinese garden-style areas, suitable for strolling and relaxing; the golden ginkgo leaves in autumn create a pleasant scenery.
5. **Monument to the Young Heroes of China**
- A patriotic education base within the park, suitable for family visits.
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### **Tickets and Opening Hours**
- **Tickets**:
- Weekdays: CNY 2/person (off-season); CNY 5/person (peak season).
- During the Cherry Blossom Festival: CNY 10/person (advance booking required, tickets can be purchased through the "Changyou Park" WeChat official account).
- **Opening Hours**:
- January-March, November-December: 6:30-19:00 (off-season).
- April-October: 6:00-21:30 (peak season, evening sessions available for night views).
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### **Transportation Guide**
- **Subway**:
- Line 1, Military Museum Station, Exit E2, approx. 1.2 km walk.
- Line 10, Gongzhufen Station, Exit A, approx. 1 km walk.
- **Bus**:
- West 3rd Ring Road direction: Special Bus No. 8, Bus No. 323, Bus No. 374, Yuyuantan West Gate Stop.
- Chang'an Avenue direction: Bus No. 32, Bus No. 78, Yuyuantan East Gate Stop.
- **Driving**: Parking lots are available at the east and west gates of the park, but parking spaces are limited during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Public transportation is recommended.
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### **Best Time to Visit**
- **Spring (March-April)**: Cherry blossoms in full bloom, a riot of color.
- **Autumn (October-November)**: Golden ginkgo leaves, beautiful autumn scenery by the lake.
- **Summer evenings**: Boating on the lake, enjoying the light show of the CCTV Tower.
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### **Tips**
1. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the park is crowded. It is recommended to visit on working day mornings or evenings to avoid weekend crowds.
2. Hanfu costumes can be rented in the park for photoshoots, and the cherry trees provide an excellent backdrop.
3. Various types of boats are available for rent on the lake (electric boats, pedal boats), with a 4-person boat costing around CNY 120-180/hour.
4. Pets are not allowed in the park, and picnics are only permitted in designated areas.
Yuyuantan Park combines natural landscapes with urban leisure functions, offering different beauty in each season. It's an ideal place to experience Beijing's ecology and culture.