The Beijing Botanical Gardens are placed in the western outskirts of the city between Xiangshan Park and Jade Spring Mountain. Although the gardens are not large, with only some 3,000 different plant species, many famous and rare plant specimens are on display.

Hothouse exhibition hold in 13 different rooms is a highlight of the gardens. Besides the hothouse, there is also a national plant specimen hall with a floor space of 11,000 square meters. Specimen houses, plant classification laboratories, research rooms and a lecture hall are arranged around a courtyard linked by arches and trellises.

Travel tips:

Address: Wo Fo Si Road, Xiangshan.

Opening hours: Main entrance: 7:00 - 17:00

                           Wenshi: 8:30 - 16:30

                           Caoxueqing museum: 8:30 - 16:30

                           Wofo Si: 8:30 - 16:30

Entry ticket: 5 yuan for adult, and 2.5 yuan for student.

Wenshi (Hothouse) - 50 yuan for adult, and 40 yuan for student.

Caoxueqing Museum -10 yuan, and 5 yuan for student.

Wofo Si -5 yuan.

All pass -55 yuan.

Transportation:

Bus: No. 331, 634, 696, 运通112, 714, 733, 318, 360, mini-23, mini-66. There are two main visitor entrances on Xiangshan Nanlu and Xiangyi Lu;

By car: From Fifth Circle Highway- Exit at Fragrant Hill, then drive 0.3 kilometers and turn right to the parking lot.

Tel: 86-10-62591283.

Website: http://www.beijingbg.com

(China.org.cn. May 17, 2008)