Lilac

   Time: April to Late May

               Place: Tiantan Park

The best park to enjoy lilac in Beijing is Tiantan Park. [China.org.cn]

Constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of Ming Dynasty Emperor Yongle, Tiantan, better known as the Temple of Heaven, was a place for emperors to pray to Heaven. In the 16th Century, the temple was extended and renamed during the reign of the Emperor Jiajing, who also built three other prominent temples in Beijing: the Temple of the Sun in the east, the Temple of the Earth in the north and the Temple of the Moon in the west. Now, the temple has become a park attracting numerous visitors each year. In the park, there is a large lilac grove; when the flowers blossom, the beauty and perfume are enchanting.

Travel tips:

Admission: 35 yuan in busy season (April-October), 30 yuan off-season.

Getting there: Bus No. 6, 34, 36, 106, 110, 687 to the north gate; No. 53, 120, 122, 958 to the south gate; No. 626 to the west gate; or take subway Line 5 to East Gate of Tiantan Station.