The Beijing Botanical Garden

About

The Beijing Botanical Garden, lying at the foot of the West Hill of Beijing, has by tradition been engaged in the conservation of the native flora, especially plants from northern, northeastern and northwestern China. Its attention is also concentrated on research, public education and recreation.

A large area is currently opened to the public, including living plant collections, historic sites and a nature reserve. Excellent displays are made monthly in the main conservatory penjing (bonsai) garden, the arboretum and 14 outdoor gardens which include: a peony garden, rose garden, ornamental peach garden, lilac garden, crabapple garden, magnolia garden, fall color garden, perennial garden, bamboo garden and flower garden. There are more than 4 million visitors every year from domestic and overseas.

Highlights of the Collection

Several gardens here are very outstanding to China because the selective collections receive constant research. These gardens are also very instructive for local people to understand botany and horticulture.

About 700 rose varieties are grown in the rose garden which covers a large area. With European style, a hidden fountain and a cascade make an open theatre with hybrid tea roses, miniature roses, antique roses and wild roses along the pathway.

The ornamental peach is very decorative in Chinese tradition. The ornamental peach garden was completed at the beginning of 1980. Flowering plum forsythia and cherries sent by Japanese friends can be found in the garden too. Rich multicolored flowers cover the entire hillside during the spring blooming. New breeding programs are developed onstantly for the cultivation of new color and early blossom varieties.

China is believed to have the most species of lilac in the world. Lilacs have long been grown as one of the ornamental plants. The lilac garden, covering an a large area, was first completed in the end of 1950's and then extended at the beginning of the 1980’s and now 22 species of lilacs are currently collected here. The blooming time may last about 6 weeks depending on the different varieties. The garden is searching for new varieties from North

America & Europe and looking forward to financial support for the project. The arboretum is also a highlight of the garden. It is composed of conifers, maples, poplars, magnolias and many other tree species. The woods provide relaxation and comfort for visitors. It is also holds one of the biggest conifer collection in China.

Parking :

There is a visitor entrance and attended parking (for a fee) at South Gate. Parking lot opens at 8 am and close at 6pm. There is no overnight parking. Buses only when space permits.