Ritan Park, also known as
Temple of the Sun Park, is a national AAA tourist attraction and a historic site
under national protection. It is located on Ritan North Road, Chaoyang District,
about 10 kilometers from the center of the city. It is a spot of cultural
interest classified under classical gardens. Ritan, or the Temple of Sun, was
built in 1530, or the 9th year of Emperor Jiajing s reign in the Ming Dynasty.
Before the People s Republic was founded, many pieces of ancient architecture
had been vandalized or stolen. In 1951, the government of Beijing decided to
turn it into a park. In 1956, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks
requisitioned the surrounding lands and expanded the park to 206.2 km , and
opened it to the public.
Ritan is one of the five historic, great altars
in Beijing. It was the place where the Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the God
of the Sun. It covers an area of 206.2 km , of which 124,273.36 square meters
are covered by greenery, 4.7 km covered by water, and 10,357 m covered by
ancient architecture. There are 44 ancient trees in the park. In the past few
years, without losing any characteristics of its cultural traits, the park has
also been updated with modernized facilities.
The park has completed and
opened to the public a children s amusement park and a fishing area. Since 1992,
it has attracted large numbers of tourists with activities that are rich in
culture, such as music festivals, flower shows in the spring, morning exercise
performances, and the adoption of ancient trees.
The major attractions
of the park are: the Altar, the West Heavenly Gate, the North Heavenly Gate,
Divine Depot and Divine Kitchen, Sacrificial Pavilion, Dressing Hall, a
sacrificial mural, the southwest scenic area, the China Rose in the Round Ponds,
Yuxin Garden, Peony Garden, and a senior citizens area. The Altar to the Sun is
a west-facing square platform built out of white stones. There are three
Lingxing Gates built of white stone on its west side, and another three on its
east, south, and north. Between the outer altar, which faces the west Lingxing
gates, and the West Heaven Gate, is a sacred road that used to be taken by the
emperor when he came to offeri his sacrifices.
The Dressing Hall is a square courtyard,
with a three-bay south-facing main hall in the north that is flanked by a
three-bay east-facing wing hall and a west-facing one. The halls, surrounded by
palace walls, were there for the emperor to change his clothes or rest.
The southwest scenic area blends the view of southern Chinese courtyards
with the plain elegance of northern gardens. In its vicinity is a
4,700-square-meter lake, on the bank of which are ancient-styled waterside
houses, a stone boat, and little pavilions. A curved bridge and an arched bridge
connect it from the north to south sides. It is encircled with a meandering
path, an eastward stroll along which leads to a secluded place. The cliff beside
the lake commands a view of the lake blended with the hills.
Yuxin
Garden is a 3,000-square meter garden that has a pleasant scenery. A tortuous
path runs across it in the cool shade of 40-year-old chinars with a diameter of
1 meter.
Senior citizens area: This area covers an area of 5 km . There
are 6 stone sculptures based on folklore that stand on its west side, in keeping
with the cultural atmosphere in the park. There are many kinds of trees and 300
peonies of famous species, whose fragrance pervades the area when they are in
blossom. This is a beautiful, quiet, and comfortable place for senior citizens
to rest and exercise.
Location: 6 Ritan North Road, Chaoyang District,
Beijing
Open Hours: 06:00 - 21:00 (winter), 06:00-22:00 (summer)
Admission: free
Ideal Visiting Time: April to
November
Telephone: +86-10-85611389, 85622612
Bus Routes: Bus 1,
4, 57, 729