The calm amongst the madness

During a 5 day stay in Beijing, we found the most tranquil park right on the doorstep of our hotel. We purposefully booked accommodation outside of the main tourist area and it did not disappoint. As per the custom we packed up with snacks, food and drinks, a book and a blanket and spend the day here at Longtan Park, Dongcheng. We really needed the time to re-energise before heading back to the hotspots amongst the masses. The park, was literally over the road from the hotel. There were plenty of bus stops (didn't take the numbers as we didn't use them) and accessible from the nearest subway station Temple of Heaven East Gate / Tiantandongmen line 5. It cost 2 Yuan each to enter. Great walking paths along the lakeside and plenty of spots to sit in the shade. Several drinks and ice cream sellers but not much. As we visited on a Sunday, we were lucky to see a local choir group rehearsing (which they invited us to sit and sing with them) and a women's group in traditional dress practicing their singing and dancing. There are boats to hire, much to the amuzement of the children who were having a go, and plenty of kite flyers all competing which was a new sight for us. Highly recommend for some time out of the city. The park is also opposite the Longtan Zhonghu Park (free to enter) and a great people watching spot, however this was a lot more active with everyone walking or running. #beijingpark #beijing