Taoranting Park 陶然亭公园

Why schlep the kids all the way down to Taoranting? Here are six reasons: 1) Its intelligently designed, clean playground, with padding on the ground, tall covered slides, swings, trampolines and more; 2) Water Land, an enormous water park; 3) Peacock Park, a weird, Yunnan-themed retreat with Dai-style buildings, the eponymous birds, monkeys and rabbits; 4) The symphony of colors that is the rose garden; 5) Car-shaped paddleboats; 6) Priceless signage: “No hunting animals in park,” “Transparent swimming suits are not allowed,” “Those swimming while drunk will be fined RMB 10-50.” RMB 2, RMB 1 (students), free for kids under 1.2m.