Zhongshan Park - a former altar during the Ming and Qing dynasties
Last Update: 8th October 2020
What is Zhongshan Park?
Situated to the West of Tiananmen Tower, Zhongshan Park was called Xingguo Temple in the Liao Dynasty (907 - 1125) and the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234). In 1421, it was transformed into an altar where the emperors sacrificed the God of the Land and the God of the Five Cereals.
In 1914, it was open to the public. In 1925, Mr. Sun Yat-sen passed away, and he was worshipped in the temple (now Zhongshan Hall) by the public. In honor of him, it got the name of Zhongshan Park in 1928.
In 1914, it was open to the public. In 1925, Mr. Sun Yat-sen passed away, and he was worshipped in the temple (now Zhongshan Hall) by the public. In honor of him, it got the name of Zhongshan Park in 1928.
Interested in visiting Zhongshan Park on a Beijing Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Zhongshan Park, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at Zhongshan ParkThe main building in the park - the Altar is in a shape of square. It is a three-layer platform built in white marble. The surface is covered with five colors of earth. The middle section is covered with yellow earth, the east is covered with cyan one, the west is covered with white one, the south is covered with red one and the north is covered with black earth.
Old buildings in the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1912) Dynasties stand around the Altar. Four glazed walls are situated in the four direction of the Altar. The south one is red, the east one is blue, the west one is white and the north one is black. Originally built in 1420, Xili Pavilion has a yellow-glazed-tile roof with a shape of hexagon. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the leaders of ethnic minorities were taught how to behave when they met the emperor in the pavilion. Located in the south gate of Zhongshan Park, Defend Peace Archway with blue-glazed-tile roof is 17 meters wide and 10.9 meters tall. Visitors can also explore the concert hall in the park. Concerts are regularly done there. If interested, you can enjoy the concerts for an additional fee for the concert. In spring, you also can appreciate stunning tulips in the park. Between April 10 and May 10, Tulip Festival will be hold in the park. |
|
Best time to visit Zhongshan Park
If you are planning to visit Zhongshan Park for photography purposes, the best months to visit are April, May, December and October.
How to get to Zhongshan Park
There are several buses passing by the park. Therefore, there are several options.
- Rent a vehicle to the park. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 1, 5, 10, 22, 52, 90, 99, 205, and Bus 728 to the Stop of Tiananmen West (天安门西站). Walk eastward for 2 minutes to the South Gate
Additional Zhongshan Park Travel Advice
- Opening hours for the park: 06:00 - 21:00 (April 1 - May 31, the tickets are not issued from 20:00); 06:00 - 22:00 (June 1 - August 31, the tickets are not issued from 21:00); 06:00 - 21:00 (September 1 - October 31, the tickets are not issued from 20:00); 06:30 - 20:00 (November 1 - March 31, the tickets are not issued from 19:00)
- Opening hours for Tanghuawu and Huifang Garden: 09:00 - 17:00.
- As at 8th October 2020, entrance pricing (entrance to Tanghuawu and Huifang Garden is not included) for the park is 3 CNY per person; children under 1.2m (1.2m included) are free of charge.
- The combo ticket for Tanghuawu and Huifang Garden is 5 CNY per person.
- Please note, during Tulip Festival, the entrance pricing to the park is 10 CNY per person.
- For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Many visitors enter the park through the South Gate. Therefore, it will be a long queue.
Interested in visiting Zhongshan Park on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Zhongshan Park, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.