Jingcheng Pear Garden

　　    930 acres. Originally an ecological pear orchard and nursery featuring Shuigu pears, it underwent a comprehensive upgrade in 2007 as one of Beijing’s “Suburban Parks Ring” projects. It officially opened to the public on the eve of Labor Day in 2008 and is one of the free suburban parks open to visitors.

　　    Themed around pear trees and pear culture, Jingcheng Pear Garden highlights the springtime spectacle of “pear blossoms covering the branches like snow, with thousands of trees in full bloom.” The park features eight scenic spots: Pear Blossom Plaza, Shaded Tree Corridor, Pear Blossom Lawn, Pear Garden Isle, Pear Blossom Valley, Pear Garden Clear Snow, Pear Garden Stage, and Pear Garden Villa.

　　    The park is equipped with facilities such as basketball courts, mini soccer fields, fitness equipment areas, children’s play zones, and a sunken cultural plaza, providing spaces for cultural and sports activities for residents. Emphasizing ecological sustainability, the park incorporates a dry stream that collects rainwater during the wet season into a rainwater collection lake to replenish groundwater—an innovative flood control project aimed at slowing the decline of Beijing’s groundwater levels.

　　    With its rich plant landscape and well-developed infrastructure, Jingcheng Pear Garden creates a comfortable, natural, and lively recreational space. It serves as a comprehensive leisure park that integrates daily fitness and relaxation with weekend leisure activities, combining pear garden culture, modern wellness concepts, and a rustic charm. Pear Blossom Plaza is home to six ancient pear trees, each with a trunk diameter of over 40 cm, heights of up to seven meters, and ages ranging between 80 to 100 years— the oldest exceeding a century. These trees include both acid pear and snow pear varieties. In spring, their magnificent blossoms are the park’s iconic sight. A large white stone in front of the trees bears the park’s name, serving as a focal point of the Pear Blossom Plaza entrance area. According to the *Tang Yulu*, “When the pear blossoms bloom in Luoyang, people often bring wine beneath them, saying, ‘to wash the pear blossoms’ makeup,’ or even buy the trees.” Pear blossoms were especially favored as hair ornaments. At the time, Marquis Ruyang Mu Qingshu wrote a poem praising the blossoms: “Drinking together under the pear trees, pear blossoms adorn our heads. Fragrance wafts from the jade-like trees, white blooms float over golden cups.” The term “Pear Garden” originally referred to the official department in the Tang Dynasty for training performers in song, dance, music, and acrobatics. Over time, it became synonymous with Chinese traditional opera. Within Pear Garden Isle, five sets of flower stands symbolize the five main roles in Chinese opera—Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo, and Chou—and serve as practice and gathering spots for opera enthusiasts. The northwest section of the park will soon feature the Beijing Grand Theater and an Opera Museum, complementing the park’s theme and enriching its cultural depth.

　　    The completion of Jingcheng Pear Garden marks a commendable achievement for the Pingfang area in implementing the Scientific Development Concept and accelerating environmental development. It represents a meaningful step in addressing public welfare and building a harmonious society, as well as a heartfelt gift from local residents to support the successful hosting of the Olympic Games in Beijing. Since its opening, the park has enriched community cultural life, enhanced urban functionality, and provided a serene environment where citizens can cultivate their minds and spirits amid beautiful natural surroundings—painting a harmonious picture of humans coexisting with nature.

　　    Transportation to Jingcheng Pear Garden:

　　    Take bus routes 350, 406, 412, 433, 468, 502, 640, 686, 705, 729, 750, 758, 989, etc., and get off at Pingfang East Entrance. Walk

　　    500 meters south to reach the park.

　　    By car, take Chaoyang North Road, Yaoyuan Road, or the Fifth Ring Road. The park is located southeast of Yaoyuan Bridge on the East Fifth Ring Road.