Named after China's first president Sun Yatsen (alo called Sun Zhongshan), whose body was placed here briefly after his death, this lovely park, filled with flower displays and ancient cyprus trees, sits at the southwest corner of the Forbidden City facing the palace moat (you can rent pedal boats here). The park used to be royal gardens containing the sacred Altar of Land and Grain, where the emperor offered sacrifices. The altar, a square open-air platform, is the centrepiece.

Near the park's south entrance stands a towering, triple-eaved páilóu (traditional Chinese archway) that originally commemorated former German Foreign Minister Baron von Ketteler, murdered by the Boxers in 1900. To the east is the 100-year-old Laijin Yuxuan Teahouse, undergoing renovations at the time of research. The Forbidden City Concert Hall is beside the altar.

As with Jingshan Park, late March to mid-May coincides with the popular Spring Flower and Tulips Show. The northeast exit of the park brings you out by the Meridian Gate, where you can enter the Forbidden City. You can also access the park by the south entrance (for Tianan'men Square) and the west entrance, and catch bus No 5 north to the Drum Tower.


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1. Altar of Land and Grain

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This square, open-air altar (tán) was where the emperor would come to pray and give offerings to the gods of land and grain in return for favourable…

2. Duan Gate

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Sandwiched between the Gate of Heavenly Peace and Meridian Gate, Duan Gate (Gate of Uprightness) was stripped of its treasures by foreign forces quelling…

3. Gate of Heavenly Peace

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Instantly recognisable by its giant framed portrait of Mao, and guarded by two pairs of Ming dynasty stone lions, the double-eaved Gate of Heavenly Peace …

4. Workers' Cultural Palace

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One of Beijing's best-kept secrets – despite being next to the Gate of Heavenly Peace – the Workers' Cultural Palace was gifted to the masses by Mao in…

5. Sacrificial Hall

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The main attraction within the Workers' Cultural Palace is the monumental Sacrificial Hall, as exquisite as any temple you'll find in Beijing. Built in…

6. Middle Hall

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Known locally as the Resting Hall, this imperial building has a yellow-glazed eave-hipped roof. Closed for visitors.

7. Meridian Gate

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This mighty edifice is the Forbidden City's front door, where all visitors to the Palace Museum pass through. During imperial times, the central channel,…

8. Rear Hall

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One of the main halls within the Workers' Cultural Palace, but closed to visitors. It was used to store the spirit tablets of imperial ancestors in its…