Euro-eka! Everything You Need to Know About Rending Hu Park
Life's a park! We take a look at Beijing's most beloved parks, dig into what makes each of them special, and why they're worth your time to explore.
If the view of its lake isn’t enough, Xicheng's lengthy Rending Hu Park is loaded with interesting statues, terrain, architecture, and other sights that will enrich any stroll or jog.
The practical stuff
Name: Rending Hu Park 人定湖公园
Address: 15 Liupukang Street, Xicheng District 北京市西城区德外安德路六铺炕街15号
Opening hours: Daily, 6am-9.30pm
Price: Free
Amenities: Fitness trail, courtyard, indoor badminton courts, children’s amusement park
Known for: European architecture and statues
A brief history
Rending Hu was an early addition to New China, founded in 1958. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it underwent a series of renovations that transformed into the European-style park that it is today, with its courtyards and architecture that evoke themes from Greece, Italy, and even Egypt.
The renovations also strived to make the park as sustainable as possible by installing solar panels to power its lights and using the lake for rainwater collection. The lake and artificial wetlands are also home to a variety of eco-friendly aquatic plants.
What you can do there
Accompanying the wide paths that wind around the lake and through the scenic Mediterranean elements are signs that inform exercisers about proper and healthy running habits. That’s because this park is designed to welcome fitness. Its long shape allows joggers to travel its length without feeling like they are running in circles, and varied terrain provides a choice between a flat course as well as series of stairs. Those who find running a bit dull might also benefit from the badminton courts.
But you don’t have to be a fitness addict to enjoy the views. Enter through the south gate and be greeted by nude statues in the spacious courtyard, not least of which depicts a woman bathing in a fountain. From there, you work your way up a grand stairwell, at the top of which stands a concrete pavilion with beautiful archways and tiled murals depicting ancient Rome.
Up by the lake in an area that serves as a gathering point for the park’s visitors to watch performances stand some tall, intriguing pin-like structures seemingly modeled off of Shanghai's TV Tower and look poised to skewer any large falling objects.
In fair weather, Rending Hu Park is also one of the best spots to peep flowers. Carefully arranged flower gardens line the pathways, along with a good number of blossom trees that look gorgeous in full bloom.
In all, Rending Hu Park lesser-seen sights make it a must-visit for Xicheng dwellers and is sure to be a regular spot for outdoorsy types in the area.
READ: Oh, Deer! Everything You Need to Know About Nanhaizi Park
Images: Dianping, Google Maps, China Atrractions
