April and May are two of the most beautiful months in Beijing. What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than by checking out one of the city’s many flower festivals? They offer the perfect chance to pack a picnic, get some friends together, and play outdoors. Here’s a rundown of eight flower festivals, the best times to go, and what to do while you’re there.
Apricot Blossom Festival
Did you know apricot blossoms are pink and red when they bloom and gradually turn white? Check out the sea of colors during the Apricot Blossom Festival at Fenghuangling Park. The mountain includes easier trails for families, with a small temple and occasional vendors selling snacks.
When to visit: Early to mid-April
Admission price: RMB 25
Contact: Daily 6.30am-5.30pm Nature Park, 19 Fenghuangling Lu, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District (6245 5933) 海淀区苏家坨镇凤凰岭路19号凤凰岭自然风景公园
Crabapple Festival
Yuan Dynasty Relics Park counts more than 3,000 crabapple trees in bloom every spring. There’s also a restaurant onsite in which families can take in the view of the blossoms from the outdoor courtyards.
When to visit: Early to mid-April
Admission price: Free
Contact: Daily 5am-10pm.
Yuan Dynasty Relics Park, 24 Anwai
Xiaoguanjie, Chaoyang District (8464 8252) 朝阳区安外小关街24号
(近育慧南路)元大都城垣遗址公园
Cherry Blossom Festival
In case you missed the first stage of cherry blossoms in late March, there’s still time to catch the second phase at Yuyuantan Park. The park boasts over 2,000 cherry trees from more than 20 species, most of them diplomatic gifts from Japan. Other features include a lake for boating (which reaches all the way to the Summer Palace), a swimming area, and cafes.
When to visit: Early to mid-April
Admission price: RMB 10
Contact: Daily 6am-8.30pm. Yuyuantan Park, 10 Xisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District (8865 3800) 海淀区西三环中路10号玉渊潭公园
Peach Blossom Festival
Beijing Botanical Garden is a great destination to enjoy all kinds of greenery in spring, but the Peach Blossom Festival draws perhaps the most visitors with its thousands of red and white flowers. The Botanical Garden also includes the former home of Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin and Wofo Si (the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha), which cost an extra RMB 10 and RMB 5 respectively.
When to visit: Early April to early May
Admission price: RMB 10
Contact: Daily 7am-5pm. Beijing Botanical
Garden, Xiangshan Nanlu, Haidian District (8259 8771) 海淀区香山南路北京植物园
Peony Festival
Jingshan Park boasts more than 150 kinds of peonies in a riot of colors and shapes. For the best view of the massive blooms, head north of the Palace Museum. While you’re there, get a bird’s eye view of the Forbidden City from the pavilion in the middle of the park.
When to visit: Mid-April to late May
Admission price: RMB 5 during peony season
Contact: Daily 6am-8.30pm. Jingshan Park, 44 Jingshan Xijie, Xicheng District (6404 4071) 西城区景山西街景山公园
Tulip Festival
Though Zhongshan Park is noted for its rare collection of orchids, it’s the tulips that take center stage every spring. The park is one of the only places to see so many in one place; you’ll find them inside the greenhouse. Once you’re done, take a stroll through the numerous pavilions, gardens, and temples.
When to visit: Mid-April to mid-May
Admission price: RMB 3
Contact: Daily 6am-8pm. Zhongshan Park, 4 Zhonghua Lu, Dongcheng
District (6605 5431) 东城区中华路4号(天安门西侧)中山公园
Magnolia Festival
Magnolias can be spotted throughout Beijing, but usually only in small clumps of trees. Head to the International Sculpture Park in the western part of Beijing to see magnolias in huge numbers, across a variety of species and colors, and with the longest flowering periods. The kids will also have fun posing with the numerous sculptures dotting the park.
When to visit: April
Admission price: RMB 10
Contact: Daily 6.30am-9pm.
2 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District (6863 8071) 石景山区 石景山路2号
Clove Festival
If the family is feeling adventurous, consider trekking out to Jietai Temple for the fragrant Clove Festival in Beijing’s western hills. The courtyards that surround the old Buddhist temple house numerous ancient clove trees, including 20 specimens bestowed onto the temple by Emperor Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty. Be sure to also check out historical relics like the stone columns and tablets with Buddhist scriptures within the multi-yard complex.
When to visit: April or May
Admission price: RMB 35
Contact: Daily 8.30am-5pm. Jietai Park, foot of Manshan Mountain, Mentougou District (6980 5941 or 6980 2232) 门头沟区西南马鞍山脚下戒台公园内
This article originally appeared on page 36-41 of the April 2015 Issue of beijingkids. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com
Photos: Marcel Oosterwijk, Parvin, Garry Knight, Kanegen, Irene Grassi, Bridget Coila, Luke Price, Dmytro Kanarski, JD, Liz West, t-mizo, Tanata Juyyoh (Flickr)