Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park

The Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park, aka Yuandadu Relics Park, is built on the site of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) capital city, Dadu, hence a great place to learn the history and customs of that dynasty. The park is decorated with grassland, trees and flowers, favored by both local people and tourists to breathe fresh air, appreciate flowers, and to relax.

The belt-like park was built along the relics of the west and north walls of the Dadu city. It runs from today's Mingguang Bridge in the south to Xitucheng in the north, and then turns east to Shaoyaoju, with a total length of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).  As the largest zonal park in Beijing, the Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park takes up an area of 85 hectares (210 acres).

Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park shows the prosperity and boom of the Yuan Dynasty by sculpture complexes, murals, and memorial steles in different areas. Here are some interesting attractions.

 The scenic area includes a sculpture complex and a large-scale mural. It is intended to show the historical fact that the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty founded the Dadu Capital in 1267. The main sculpture is 30 meters (33 yards) long and 9 meters (30 feet) high. The sculpture centers on Emperor Shizu in his howdah. The emperor looks very solemn, with a leopard by his side. On his two sides stand the generals and civil servants. To the east of the sculpture is a large-scale mural, showing the great celebration ceremony when the construction of the Dadu Capital was completed. It is very interesting!
 Located to the east of the Xiaoguan Crossroad on Anding Road, the Prosperous Dadu Scenic Spot is the largest outdoor sculpture complex in Beijing. It centers on the sculptures of Emperor Shizu and his concubines. They are surrounded by the famous scientist Guo Shoujing, the Nepalese architect Arniko, the Italian traveler Marco Polo, civil officials, military officers, actors, envoys and so on. This sculpture complex reflects the urban life, economic development, and cultural exchange of the Yuan Dynasty. The Prosperous Dadu Scenic Spot makes the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Site Park an "Open-air Art Gallery".
 Double capitals refer to the capital Dadu and the subordinate capital Shangdu. In history, Yuan Dynasty had two capitals. Every spring, Emperor Shizu, together with his concubines, aristocrats, and government officials, went to Shangdu from Dadu to spend the coming summer and came back to spend the cold winter in autumn. The relief sculpture on the wall reflects the scene of traveling between Dadu and Shangdu.
 The Guests and Friends Scenic Area is located to the east of the Double Capitals Scenic Area. It shows that people from other parts of the world came to China for visits or exchanging commodities and ideas during the Yuan Dynasty, which indicates that Yuan Dynasty was quite open-minded and friendly. The Blue and White Porcelain Sculpture, the Arrow and Shield Sculpture, and the Bronze City and Iron Wall Sculpture here reflect the artistic and military achievements at that time.
 The Crabapple Flower Scenic Spot is the largest crabapple woods in Beijing. There are more than 2,000 crabapple trees of various species. The Crabapple flower has been called the "Angel Flower" since ancient times. They are usually in full blossom in middle to late April. What is noteworthy is that the Crabapple Flower Festival here is one of the three most popular flower festivals in Beijing, along with the Peach Flower Festival in the Botanical Garden and the Cherry Flower Festival in the Yuyuantan Park.
 The Trees Enveloped in Mist at the Ancient City of Jizhou has been one of the Top Eight Scenes of Beijing since the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). It used to be a prosperous site, but declined in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In 1750, a white marble stele was erected on the earthen wall to promote the amazing scene. Seeing the time-honored stele, people will think of the past prosperity of the Jin Dynasty.
 1. Yuan Dynasty Capital City Wall Site Park has many gates along both sides from north to south and east to west. Visitors can enter through any of them.
2. If you want to see crabapple flowers, avoid the Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day) when there will be a sea of people. By subway:
Because the park is partially parallel with the north section of Subway line 10, you can get off at any of these stops:

Xitucheng, leave from Exit C and enter the park through the West Gate;
Mudanyuan, leave from Exit D, and get into the park through the No. 5 West Gate;
Jiandemen, leave from Exit C, and get into the park through the No. 1 North Gate or the No. 3 West Gate;
Beitucheng, leave from Exit C2, and get into the park through the No. 16 South Gate or the No. 3 North Gate;
Anzhenmen, leave from Exit C, and get into the park through the No. 11 South Gate;
Huixinxijie Nankou, leave from Exit C, and get into the park through the No. 4 South Gate;
Shaoyaoju, leave from Exit A, and get into the park through the No. 1 South Gate.

Note: Beitucheng is also a station of Subway line 8, and Shaoyaoju is a station of Subway line 13, too.

 By bus:
1. Take bus 16, 22, 47, 92, 304, 331, 425, 508, 510, 579, 609, 618, 620, 635, or 645, get off at the Mudanyuan Station, and get into park through the East Gate.
2. Take bus Te 2, 21, 82, 113, 380, 407, 409, 607, or 694, and get off at the Anzhenxili Station, and get into the park through the No. 16 South Gate.
3. Take bus 380, 409, 515, 620, or Zhuan 8, and then get off at the Subway Anzhenmen Station, and get into the park through the No. 11 South Gate or the No. 12 South Gate.
4. Take bus 95, 361, 464, Yuntong 101, or Yuntong 201, get off at the Yinghuayuan Xijie Station, and get into the park through the No. 4 South Gate or the No. 3 South Gate.
5. Take bus 13, 95, 119, 361, 379, 419, 596, 674, 684, or Te 16, get off at the Sino-Japanese Hospital Station, and get into the park through the No. 1 East Gate.

Ticket Price	Free of charge
Opening Hours	May - Sep.: 5:00- 22:30 Oct - Apr.: 6:00- 22:00