Beihai Park
Beihai Lake covers almost half of the 67-hectare (168-acre) Beihai Park and is a popular place for skating in winter and boating in summer. Qiong Hua Island (Jade Flowering Island), in the southern end of the lake, is reached by an arched marble bridge and is home to a Tibetan Buddhist shrine (the White Dagoba) and the Temple of Eternal Peace.

Wenjin Jie
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2100 (park); daily 0900-1600 (halls and temples).
Admission charge.

Jingshan (Prospect Park)
Located immediately to the north of the Forbidden City, Jingshan contains Coal Hill, which enjoys superb views over the golden rooftops of the imperial buildings. One of the five pavilions on the summit, Wan Chun Ting (Pavilion of 10,000 Springs), used to be the highest point in the city.

Jingshan Qian Jie
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2130.
Admission charge.