Longtan Lake Park

　　Longtan Lake Park is situated within Zuoguanmen in Chongwen District. It is bordered by the city moat to the south and east, with Zuoguanmen Street running through the lake. In recent years, a number of uniquely designed, elegantly styled classical garden structures have been added, making Longtan Park one of Beijing’s refined and modern garden parks.

　　The park features 300,000 square meters of water surface and 3,700 meters of winding lakeshore, constructed from natural and cut stones. Islands and hills in the lake complement each other, offering a blend of orderliness and natural charm. Along the shore, lush trees and green lawns surround sparkling waters. The lakeside paths, pebble beaches, and terraced slopes create ever-changing scenery—sometimes smooth and upright with sharp edges, other times layered with rocks—bringing immense delight. Stone arch bridges, the Twin Pavilion Bridge, and the Longtan Waterfall divide the lake into four small islands, four peninsulas, three shallow beaches, one canyon, and six green spaces near the bridges. Boating on the lake allows visitors to enjoy the shimmering waters, pavilions, and halls.

　　The entire scenic area is themed around the dragon, forming five zones: the Dragon’s Roar Pavilion area, the Longtan area, the Dragon Character Stone Forest area, the Dragon Gate area, and the Lotus Pond and Flower Isle area. These areas not only include various dragon-themed architectures but also feature trees and flowers cleverly designed with dragon-like motifs. Dragon cypress, dragon beard willows, and dragon claw locusts evoke associations with dragons. Strolling through the park, visitors feel as if they are journeying through a world of dragons, constantly immersed in their powerful presence—an awe-inspiring experience unmatched by other attractions.

　　The park and its vicinity are home to famous historical sites such as the Temple of Yuan Chonghuan, a national hero, the Xizhao Temple (Ancient Cypress Hall), a pagoda from the Jin Dynasty, and the Liutang (Willow Pond) from the Qing Dynasty. There are also newer attractions like Binxiang Garden and Mingxiang Waterside Pavilion. The reflections in the water and elegant pavilions make the scenery unforgettable.