Beijing Ritan Park is on Ritan Road North in Chaoyang District, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from the center of the city. As one of the five famous altars in Beijing, Ritan Park, built in 1530, was the venue where the emperor offered sacrifice to the sun during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911). Ancient buildings in Ritan Park were devastated before 1949. In 1951, the Beijing government began the reconstruction of the relics in the park; and in 1956, Ritan Park was open to public with an extended area of 206,200 sq meters (246,613 sq yards). In recent years, new scenic areas are accessible to the visitors. An amusement park has been built for children; anglers can have a great time in the fishing zone; music festivals, the flower shows in the spring, the adoption and caring for the ancient trees and other various activities attract lots of people.
Reappearance of the Original Ritan
At first, the west-facing altar in Beijing Ritan Park was a raised rectangular white stone dais. Its surface was red glazed, symbolizing the sun. In the Qing Dynasty, the altar was rebuilt in brick, with nine-stair steps in the east, west, north, and south, each about 16.7 meters (18.3 yards) long, 16.7 meters wide and 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. The altar we see today in Ritan Park was reconstructed in 1985 in accordance with its form in Qing Dynasty. Low walls covered with green glazed tiles surround the altar, measuring about 255 meters (279 yards) around and forming a square of about 4,667 sq meters (5,582 sq yards). The wall has six white stone gates on all four sides. Three gates sit in the west; outside these gates, there are big iron stoves which were used to burn the oblations. In the other three sides respectively have one gate.
By the northwest of the square a palace called Jufu was built, which originally stands in the south and in 1742 in the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Qianlong made it change its place. The Jufu Palace was a rectangular courtyard. Three main halls face the south and in the east and west sides of the palace separately stand the three other halls. There, the emperor could relax and change his clothes.
Shen Ku (Holy Storehouse) and Shen Chu (Holy Kitchen) are located outside the north white stone gate. The west-facing Shen Ku is the place where the enshrined god worship tablets were stored, while the south-facing Shen Chu is where the oblations were made and deposited. Zaisheng Pavilion by the north of Shen Ku and Shen Chu is where animal sacrifices were slaughtered.
In the Ritan Park, there are 44 ancient trees, one of which is a 1,100-year-old cypress tree. Its twisting, encircling and upward-pointing branches are just like nine black dragons, so it is named "Nine Dragon Cypress (Jiulong Cypress)".
A Sketch of New Scenery in Ritan Park
Yuxin Garden
Yuxin Garden takes an area of 3,000 sq meters. The scenery is enchanting: walking along the winding path in the garden you can see a sycamore one meter (1.1 yards) in girth. The thick-branched and wide-spreading tree is like a beach umbrella, providing welcome shade for summer visitors.
Southwest Scenic Section
The forest-clad mountain and the beautiful lake complete the scene. The lake covers an area of about 4,700 sq meters (5,621 sq yards), and it sparkles in the sunlight. Ancient-style pavilions, painted stone and boats wait by the side of the lake.
Qinghui Pavilion
Qinghui Pavilion is located in the southeast side of Ritan Park. You can enjoy the beautiful sunrise here.
| Admission Fee: |
Free |
| Opening Hours: |
06:00—21:00 |
| Subway |
Take Subway Line 1 or Subway Line 2 to Jianguomen Station. Get out from Exit B. Then walk about 1km to the south gate of Ritan Park. |
| Bus Route: |
1. Take bus 639 or 640 to Ritan Gongyuan Station.
2. Take bus 44, 750 or 800 to Yabao Lu Station; walk east to the west side of the park.
3. Take bus 28 or 43 to Fangcaodi Nan Station; walk west to the park. |
Since Beijing was the capital for four dynasties: Jin (1115-1234), Yuan (127-1368), Ming (1368 -1644) and Qing (1644-1911), it has a wealth of historical sites ranging from royal sumptuous private mansions and gardens to simple villages. Also it is stippled with pagodas and religious temples.
Chaoyang Theatre
acrobatics 
Liyuan Theatre
Peking Opera 
Tiandi Theatre
Acrobatics 
Huguang Guild Hall 
The Legend of Kungfu 
