Běijīng Botanic Gardens

Located 2km northeast of Fragrant Hills Park, the well-tended Botanic Gardens, set against the backdrop of the Western Hills, make for a pleasant outing among bamboo fronds, pines, orchids and lilacs. The Běijīng Botanic Gardens Conservatory contains 3000 different types of plants and a rainforest house.

About a 15-minute walk north from the front gate (follow the signs) near the Magnolia Garden is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wòfó Sì). First built in the Tang dynasty, the temple's centrepiece is a huge reclining effigy of Sakyamuni weighing in at 54 tonnes, which 'enslaved 7000 people' in its casting. The reclining form of Buddha represents his moment of death, before entering Nirvana. On each side of Buddha are sets of gargantuan shoes, imperial gifts to Sakyamuni.

To get here take the subway to Běijīng Zoo and then hop on fast bus 360; alternatively go to Píngguǒyuán subway station and take bus 318.