Exploring Shunyi's New Dongjiao Wetland Park

Located by the Sixth Ring Road in the north-east of the city, at the junction between Chaoyang, Shunyi, and Tongzhou districts, Dongjiao Wetland Park is an expansive and bucolic 3-square-kilometer space home to a lake, several ponds, a white sand beach, and a 35km-long fitness trail.

As it only recently opened, it’s ripe for exploring, and as bikes are allowed inside the groups, perfect for spending a fun family day out.

The practical stuff

Name: Dongjiao Wetland Park 东郊湿地公园
Address: Guantou Bridge, Fubi Road, Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District 通州区宋庄镇富壁路管头桥
Opening hours: Daily, 8am-6pm
Price: Free
Amenities: Fitness trail, lakes, children’s sand play area, exercise equipment, toilets

Dongjiao Wetland Park is one of Beijing’s newest parks, and one of four countryside parks established as part of Beijing’s Urban Master Plan and reforestation push. While the initial section – including a 7km cycling greenway – is now open to the public, the park looks to be completed by the end of this year. Yet while the park is new, the wetland area is not, and the park has been developed around a series of pools and marshy areas filled with lilies and rushes which are interwoven with wooden boardwalks and viewing cabins.

It’s now one of Beijing’s largest parks and is comparable to New York’s Central Park in size. Surrounded by wetlands and cut diagonally by Xiaozhong River, it’s also one of Beijing’s most idyllic and makes for an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is great for cycling and picnicking, and filled with scenic spots and green activities, including sandy ‘beach’ areas for children and a ‘Lovers’ Harbor’ for romantic photo ops.

The park also boasts over 600 species of plants, with flowers of all colors stretching across the paths during summer months, giving the impression of having just stepped into a Monet painting.

Apart from the serenity provided by the park’s greenery, the fitness trail also makes it a great place for cycling, hiking, and dog walking.

In addition to exercising and appreciating the flowers, you can also join square-dancing aunties for some morning fitness, the senior citizens’ jazz karaoke ensembles, or bring your own picnic for an afternoon tea by the waters.

More than anything though, its distance away from the city makes it the ideal place to escape for a breath of fresh air and an afternoon of carefree exploration.