Weekend Outing with Kids in Beijing—Beiwo Park

Beiwo Park covers an area of 711 acres, divided into East Park and West Park. The park's design style highlights both historical and cultural heritage and modernity. The East Park borrows scenery from the Summer Palace and Jade Spring Mountain, with four major scenic areas within. The West Park is located on the north side of Beiwo Jiayuan, with large and small open spaces in the park for local residents to relax, entertain, and organize holiday celebrations. Beiwo Park also has a historical origin. During the Ming Dynasty, there were three places for docking and repairing ships: South, Middle, and North. The Middle was in the center, and the North was on the west side of the Middle. It is said that in the 13th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, a major flood occurred in this area. The court sent a fleet to rescue for two years. At that time, the ships were only concentrated in three places, which were called North, Middle, and South, because they were surrounded by high windbreaks. Check the 'Ming Shilu' in the 13th and 14th years of Yongle, there are corresponding records. Beiwo Park is in harmony with the surrounding Summer Palace, Jade Spring Mountain, and other parks, complementing each other; the scenic spots in Beiwo Park, among which the most characteristic is the lookout tower in the shape of a ship's head. The park cleverly uses the technique of borrowing scenery. Climbing the lookout tower not only allows you to see the nearby Jade Spring Mountain, but also the Buddha Incense Pavilion of the Summer Palace when the weather is good. Another is the small piece of rice field in the west of Beijing that is still preserved, where you can also experience the history and culture of farming. Address: West Road of Beiwo Village, Haidian District, Beijing Self-driving: Summer Palace West Gate Parking Lot (10 yuan/hour) Subway: Subway West Suburb Line Walk 680 meters Bus: 469/539/Special 129 Ticket: Free Time: Open all day