China National Botanical Garden

What is China National Botanical Garden?

This garden covers almost 600 hectares in Beijing and combines two main sites. It features outdoor gardens, glasshouses, and a large collection of living plants. Visitors can explore themed areas such as the Peony Garden, hothouses with tropical and commercial plants, and displays of rare trees and flowers. The grounds also include a specimen hall, research buildings, and spaces for education and training. The garden is open to the public year-round.

The history of China National Botanical Garden

The garden was officially established in 2022 by merging two existing sites: one focused on scientific research and another on plant displays and education. The project was supported by several national and city agencies. Botanist Hu Xiansu played a key role in advocating for its creation, and Ma Jinshuang has served as chief scientist since 2020. The garden is situated in Beijing's Haidian district, in a scenic area known for its hills and parks.

What there is to see

The garden is divided into a South Garden, which centers on research and conservation, and a North Garden, which highlights plant collections and public exhibitions. The hothouses are organized by plant type, including palms, aquatic species, commercial crops, and medicinal plants. Outdoor areas feature themed gardens, such as the Peony Garden, and collections of trees, shrubs, and flowers. Facilities also include laboratories, specimen storage, and lecture halls.

When to go

Open all year, the garden welcomes visitors to see its plant collections, attend educational programs, and enjoy seasonal flower displays. The Peony Garden, for example, is a major attraction in spring. The hothouses offer a chance to see tropical and subtropical species regardless of the season. The garden also serves as a center for plant research, conservation, and training.

Parts and collections

The garden houses over 6,000 plant species, including more than 2,000 types of trees and shrubs, hundreds of orchid varieties, and many tropical, aquatic, and commercial plants. Notable specimens include the metasequoia, once thought extinct, and rare orchids like the rootless variety. The Peony Garden itself is divided into three sections, with the Peony Grove as its centerpiece.

Why China National Botanical Garden matters

The garden is a center for both scientific study and public enjoyment of plants. It preserves rare and endangered species, supports research in plant science, and offers educational activities. The presence of trees like the bodhi tree, associated with Buddhist tradition, and collections of culturally significant plants such as peonies and cherries, reflect the importance of plants in Chinese culture.

The flowers of China National Botanical Garden

OrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earthWaterlilyFloating aquatic flowers found in ponds and lakes worldwidePeonyLarge spring flowers in pink, red, white, yellow and purple, grown in gardens worldwide

Questions people ask about China National Botanical Garden

Good reading and sources

• China National Botanical Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data