Chifeng Botanical Garden

Chifeng Botanical Garden

Chifeng Botanical Garden is primarily a botanical garden featuring a wide variety of tree species and comprehensive plant collections. It originated from the Tree Nursery of the Suburban Forest Farm in Hongshan District, Chifeng. The main function of the tree nursery was to introduce and acclimate trees from the semi-arid regions of northern China and surrounding areas, aiming to diversify the species used in afforestation on barren hills in the Chifeng area. Since its establishment, the nursery has introduced 245 species from 92 genera and 44 families of superior tree species from Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, and other regions.

In 1997, amid the rapid development of China’s tourism industry, the municipal and district governments, together with the suburban forest farm, recognized the existing conditions of the tree nursery — abundant plant species, healthy growth, and an emerging green garden prototype — and decided to transform it into Chifeng Botanical Garden. In early 1998, the Hongshan District Suburban Forest Farm hired experts from the School of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University to design the project for converting the tree nursery into a botanical garden. The first phase of the project had a total investment of 3 million RMB and officially opened to visitors on May 28, 1995.

After the completion of the first phase of Chifeng Botanical Garden, the entrance area, specialized tree zones, children's amusement area,

flower viewing area, rare plant area, water recreation zone, forest functional area, potted plant viewing area, outlook and imagination zone, and other unique scenic zones were established, making up sixteen scenic areas in total. It has become the only ideal destination in the Chifeng region for understanding, learning about, cherishing, and utilizing nature. In the follow-up projects of the first phase, the 'Garden of Forgetfulness' and 'Water Recreation Zone' were subsequently developed. The Garden of Forgetfulness mainly features wooden structures and comprehensive fitness functions, including wooden pavilions and corridors, antique-style waterwheels, land rollers for adults, teens, and children, as well as floating stairways on the water — all offering visitors a refreshing and memorable experience. The Water Recreation Zone focuses on various aerial and aquatic fitness activities such as aerial rope crossings, high-altitude suspension bridges, water rollers, providing visitors with exciting and thrilling sensations. These attractions have been very popular among tourists. Meanwhile, many individual investors have also developed large-scale amusement facilities in the botanical garden, including Ferris wheels, wild mice rides, UFO pedal cars, roller coasters,

luxury carousels, and more than twenty other amusement rides, all achieving strong economic returns.

Best travel seasons: Spring and summer.

Transportation to the scenic area: Take bus No. 6 in downtown Chifeng directly to the garden.

Self-driving guide: Chifeng Botanical Garden is located at the eastern foot of Hongshan Mountain in Chifeng City, approximately 3 kilometers from the city center.

Accommodation and dining: Dalinuoer Hotel at Lake Dali, Chifeng Hotel, Dali Lake Resort, and Chifeng Golden Tower in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia.

Local cuisine: Hada Huoshao (flatbread), Hada cake, Duijia (sandwich-like meat dish), hand-grabbed lamb, whole roasted lamb, dairy products.

Local specialties: Balin heliotrope stone, Chifeng art tapestries, ephedra herb.

Nearby attractions: Huifu Temple in Chifeng, Xiangshui Yu Pu in Chifeng, Genpi Temple in Chifeng, Hexigten Global Geopark in Chifeng, and Bolongke Desert Tourist Area.