Stroll through a world of flowers

It's not quite springtime yet and it's still quite chilly, but there is somewhere to escape to in Beijing if you are yearning some warmer weather and would also like to see some flowers in bloom.

Beijing Garden of World's Flowers is an ideal place to spend a day with a loved one or your family. In fact, it is a great place to visit on your own too.

Situated in Fengtai District, Beijing Garden of World's Flowers is the largest botanical garden within the capital's Fourth Ring Road. It covers an area of more than 40 hectares and has been awarded top marks as a tourist attraction.

The garden opened in 2005 and offers 15 large greenhouses where you can enjoy a range of exotic flowers, plants and herbs in varying landscapes. The site offers a combination of sight-seeing, science, shopping and dining.

There are outdoor gardens here too, such as the Japanese Garden, Dutch Garden and Austrian Garden, but they have yet to bloom and blossom. So, while it's still cold it is best to enjoy the indoor gardens, where you can enjoy a range of gardens, including traditional Chinese landscapes that feature reconstructions of temples and palaces that still stand today in various provinces of the Middle Kingdom.

You can also view a desert landscape with various cacti; there is also a hall of tropical plants where you can see banana trees and palm trees. And, there is a stunning selection of bonsai trees and gorgeous array of flowers.

It is a good idea to make a day of it. Why not pack a picnic and relax in a garden that offers facilities for visitors to chill out and eat?

Of course, Beijing Garden of World's Flowers has its own restaurant facilities too. And there is also an area where you can buy plants. Certainly, it would be a sin to leave here without taking a few beautiful plants for your home.

Admission: 50 Yuan for Adults, 30 Yuan for Kids

Address: 200 meters north of Ma Jialou Bridge on the south 4th ring road, Fengtai District

Bus 646, 377 will take you to the World Flowers Garden.