Taoran Pavilion Park

Taoran Pavilion Park is located in the south of Beijing's Xuanwu District. It covers 59 hectares out of which 17 hectares water surface. The park was built in 1952, and it is the first modern landscape architelture after the foundation of the P.R.C. Famous historical sites of Beijing, strong cultural atmosphere, and revolutionary history maked it a famous resort attracting numerous visitors.

In 1695 of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a senior official of the central govemment ordered to build a pavilion to the west of the Mercy Nunnery and named it "Taoran" quoted from a poem of Bai Ju-yi, one of the greatest poets in Tang Dynasty. Literaties liked the Pavilion very much, and those who lived in other provinces must come here when they came to Beijing.

Surrounding Taoran Pavilion are many famous historical sites. To the northwest of the pavilion was Dragon Tree Temple, which was as famous as Taoran Pavilion in late Qing Dynasty and many celebrities visited here. Others were Black Dragon Pool, King Dragon Pavilion, Nezha Temple, Plun Blossom Garden, and Zu Garden that are located to the east or west respectively. To the north was Yao Tai Tea house, and to the mortheast were fragrant Tomb and so on. Most of these historical sites had a longer history than Taoran Pavilion, and even earlier than the Mercy Nuneery. Famous Poems and calligraphers often came here and left many famous poems and calligraphy works.

The pavilion is located on a small island, which is the center of other scenery spots. The island is covered with luxuriant vegetation, and on the bank are pavilion and long corridors. Beside Taoran Pavilion, Jingqiu hill and yan tou hill are also on the mid-late is land. At the south foot of Jingqiu hill is the "Rose hill",which are the ruins of Fragrant Tomb and parrot Tomb .In the tranquil pine woods is the tombs of Gao Jun-yu and shi ping-Mei the early revolutionists of cpc.

Cathay pavillon Garden is a "garden in garden"inside Taoran Pavilion park. It was built in 1985, many famous gardens in China were imitated to build here, in cladding "zuiweg pavilion" "lan pavilion".Echi Tablet Pavilion "canglang pavilion" and others . It is about more than 10 famous pavilions in this small garden.

Opening Hours: 6:00--21:30 (21:00 stop selling tickets)

How to Get to Taoran Pavilion: You can get Taoran Pavilion Park directly from Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, West Railway Station, Qianmen by bus or by trolley.

Buses:
East gate: No.14, No.102, No.59, No.40, No.343, No.106, No.613, No.66, No.381, No.5. 
North gate: No.59 ,No.40 ,No.613 ,No.819 . 
Southeast Gate: No.800, No.122, No.721, No.741, No.3, No.958, No.939,  No.458, No.943, No.102, No.202.
 
Ticket Price: 2 Yuan (Children under 1.2 meters high are admitted free of charge.)