Longtan (Dragon Pool) Park

Longtan Park, established in 1984, is located within the southeastern Second Ring Road of Dongcheng District. It is a modern urban garden that integrates northern classical architecture with contemporary landscaping art, highlighting the theme of Chinese "Loong" culture.
Longtan Park's history can be traced back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. In Beijing's inner city, there were three main gates--Zhengyangmen, Chongwenmen, and Xuanwumen.

Outside Chongwenmen, there was a bustling scene with many merchants and residents. In order to maintain social order and stability, the emperor decreed the construction of an outer city, leading to the establishment of over a dozen kiln sites outside Chongwenmen. However, once the city walls were completed, these abandoned kilns were left neglected and became a deserted area. In 1952, the municipal government mobilized the masses to transform these kiln pits into an artificial lake. In 1984, a comprehensive construction project was carried out on Longtan Lake, including the construction of pavilions, halls, and terraces, the paving of steps along the lakeshore, and the planting of willows, mulberries, and other trees. Longtan Park was officially established.

The name “Longtan Lake” indicates a connection with the“Loong.” Due to the lake's alignment with Longxugou, renowned architect Liang Sicheng named it Longtan Lake. Longtan Park is also famous for Mr. Lao She's novel LongXugou Ditch. The park's water surface is divided into three main sections by bridges, pavilions, and halls, adorned with four small islands. Four small islands, three shallow beaches, one canyon, several green spaces in front of bridges, together form four categories and twenty-four different styles of scenic areas for visitors to explore.