March and April is the ideal time to see cherry blossom in Beijing, and the ideal site for viewing the beatiful flowers is in Yuyuantan Park (Jade Lake).

Yuyuantan Park, totaling 137 hectares (338.5 acres), is located on Xisanhuan Road (Xisanhuan Lu), in Haidian District. The park boasts extensive waters and beautiful gardens. Half the footprint is occupied by four lakes: the East and West lakes, the gourd-shaped Bayi Lake and Yinshui Lake.

Every spring the park hosts a cherry blossom festival to show off the over 2,000 cherry trees of 20 some different types. Many of the trees are gifts from Japan when the two countries re-opened diplomatic relations in the 1970s.

Those who enjoy being on the water can also hire a boat to cruise the lakes.

Near the park also lies the China Central TV Tower (the tallest structure in Beijing) and the imposing China Millennium Monument.

Bus Routes:

* 323, 368, 374, 394 to Yuyuantan Ximen (West Gate of the park)

* 114, 717 to Yuyuantan Dongmen (East Gate of the park)

* 32, 414, 617 to Yuyuantan Nanmen (South Gate of the park)

* 320, 717, 727, 827, Te 5 to Muxidi

* 1, 4, 40, 52, 68, 212, 337, 613, 728 to Gongzhufen, and then you could walk north to the park

(CRI February 27, 2009)