Yuyuantan Park
In its own language: 玉渊潭公园
A large Beijing park famous for its cherry blossom in spring
Yuyuantan Park is a major urban park in Beijing, China, covering 137 hectares with a large central lake. Known for its cherry trees, the park draws visitors each spring to see the cherry blossoms and offers water views and city landmarks.
- Covers 137 hectares, with 61 hectares of water
- Famous for cherry blossom viewing in spring
- Lake first created in 1773 under the Qianlong Emperor
- Revived and opened as a park in 1960
- Cherry trees widely planted in the 1990s
What is Yuyuantan Park?
Yuyuantan Park is a spacious urban park in western Beijing, spanning 137 hectares, with about half its area covered by water. The park’s main feature is a large lake, surrounded by landscaped grounds and walking paths. In spring, thousands of cherry trees bloom, turning the park into a popular spot for flower viewing. Visitors can also see city landmarks like the Central Radio & TV Tower from within the park.
The history of Yuyuantan Park
The area now known as Yuyuantan Park was a low-lying tract outside old Beijing, noted as a scenic spot during the Liao and Jin dynasties. The lake was created in 1773 under the Qianlong Emperor, who diverted springs from the Fragrant Hills and built a palace for short stays. Over time, the palace fell into disuse and the lake nearly dried up. In 1960, the Beijing government revived the lake by bringing in water from the Yongding River, and the park was established. The 1990s saw further development and the planting of many cherry trees.
What there is to see
The park is laid out around Yuyuantan Lake, with landscaped gardens, walking paths, and open spaces. In the 1990s, cherry trees were widely planted, making the park a destination for blossom viewing. Facilities and paths connect the main features, and the park is accessible by public transport, including the East Gate station.
When to go
Yuyuantan Park is best known for cherry blossom viewing in spring, when visitors come to see the trees in bloom. The park is open year-round for walking, boating, and enjoying the water and city views. Its large open spaces and proximity to major Beijing landmarks make it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
Parts and collections
The park’s main seasonal highlight is the cherry blossom, which draws crowds in spring. Other times of year, the park offers water views and green spaces, but it is the cherry trees that set it apart from other city parks.
Why Yuyuantan Park matters
Yuyuantan Park is a well-known site for cherry blossom viewing in China, similar to the tradition of hanami in Japan. The park’s history as an imperial retreat and its transformation into a public space reflect changes in Beijing’s landscape and culture. The cherry blossom season is a major event for residents and visitors.
The flowers of Yuyuantan Park
Questions people ask about Yuyuantan Park
Where is Yuyuantan Park located?
Yuyuantan Park is in Beijing, China, between the Third Ring Road and Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. It is a major urban park in the western part of the city.
What is Yuyuantan Park known for?
The park is especially famous for its cherry blossom trees, which bloom in spring and attract many visitors for flower viewing.
How did Yuyuantan Park get its lake?
The lake was created in 1773 during the Qing dynasty when springs from the Fragrant Hills were diverted to form it. The area was later revived in 1960 by introducing water from the Yongding River.
When is the best time to visit Yuyuantan Park?
Spring is the best time to visit, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and the park is most popular for flower viewing.
What can visitors see at Yuyuantan Park besides flowers?
Visitors can enjoy the large lake, landscaped gardens, and views of city landmarks such as the Central Radio & TV Tower.
Good reading and sources
- Yuyuantan Park on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yuyuantan Park", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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