Zhongshan Park 中山公园

Elegantly formal, with a Sun Yat-Sen statue, rockery, ancient cypresses, bamboo groves, cherry trees and covered walkways, Zhongshan Park offers a poetic escape from the crowds in Tian’anmen Square. Take in some of Beijing’s best views by renting a boat and paddling along the Forbidden City’s moat. If old buildings leave your offspring cold, there’s always the bumper cars (festooned with the Statue of Liberty) and Merry Land, the park’s indoor playground, with its sea of balls, slides and funny mirrors. Entrance: RMB 3, RMB 1.5 (students), free (kids under 1.2m).