You need to take the kids out but don’t just want to go to a nearby park or the beautiful, but super busy on weekends, Baiyun mountain as all you want to do is chill. If you want to go somewhere different and tranquil but easy to reach, then this is the spot! Stunning, landscaped gardens, educational stations and a really cool café await. Especially recommended to those with kids, who prefer calm environments.

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Now, this isn’t your ordinary park. Don’t expect a playground or a lawn for playing ball, etc. This is a botanical garden (though I’ve also seen it called Yunxi Ecological Garden), which means pretty much everything you see has been meticulously designed to display hundreds, if not thousands, of species of flora and the environment is very calming. You may be thinking-is it suitable for kids then? Sounds a bit boring. In my opinion, YES you can definitely bring children here but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There are a couple of swings and I’m sure at the very least kids will enjoy the stream and paths allowing for a very close up look into life in the water, but it depends what you want to get out of it.

If you wish to have an energetic walk, ride a bike or play badminton then go to, say, Dongfeng Park, Haizhu Lake Park or Dafushan Forest Parks instead. If your kids are going berserk at home but all you want to do is have some quiet time then Yunxi Botanical Garden could be just the thing. Having said that, I probably wouldn’t bring toddlers here since there are no barriers on the ‘stream paths’.

I was lucky enough to see this (previously closed to public) part of Baiyun mountain before it was transformed into this stunning park; when it was very pretty but nowhere near as impressive. Yunxi Botanical Garden took many years to create and it shows!

Expect to see a winding stream criss-crossed by a series of wooden paths, elevated roads allowing for lovely views, some child-friendly, natural sculptures and basically everything looking aesthetically very pleasing.

Despite being located by a busy road, one can hardly hear the traffic and so when I entered, I was immediately transported into an oasis of peace.

Bikes or mini scooters are not allowed here and the entrance fee of 40rmb per adult (there are discounts, information at the Customer Service Centre at the entrance)mean that the park is much quieter than other public green spaces, and I know that some parents are eager to find exactly these kind of spots in the city. I would particularly recommend this place if you’re child is a nature lover and/or is not too keen on crowds or loud places. No dancing ladies and no ayis/grandmas with babies in sight. I will say thought that most roads are suitable for prams so if you’re a new mummy/daddy and want to go somewhere different than your compound or local park for your daily baby walk, then Yunxi Botanical Garden is perfect for that.

Additionally, as fabulous as public parks are, they can feel a bit overwhelming sometimes and we all, including our kids, need some quiet space every now and again, don’t you think? Not to mention, how good for kids’ health it is to be out in nature. That space can be home of course, and I like nothing better than a trip to the countryside where you can really engage with nature but not everyone has the time or the means to travel to, say, Conghua, right? I believe that this botanical garden could be a suitable option for exactly those times. Moreover, if you want to keep your kids away from their devices but they aren’t into sporty activities, then again, this location might fit the bill.

One of the highlights of Yunxi Botanical Garden is an interestingly designed, spacious and bright café. Imagine white interior, flower sculptures, peaceful, unobtrusive music, a good selection of teas and fab views of the park. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our tea and dessert while chatting quietly at one of the outdoor tables. Just like the rest of the park, the café is tranquil and makes you feel instantly relaxed. I can easily imagine my son doing puzzles, drawing or creating his own LEGO universe while I chill with a book or a magazine:)

In terms of its size, this ‘garden’ is not very large, but if you want to take in the entire site AND stopover at the café, you should set 2-3 hours aside. If you think the fee is a bit steep, do ask the customer service staff, who speak some English, about discounts. I recall seeing a poster related to a special deal for ICBC bank customers so bring your bank card if you have one. No doubt, apps and QR code scanning will be involved, after all, this is modern China! I believe the garden also organises occasional activities and guided tours (in Chinese), including those aimed at kids, so it might be worth asking about future events when you’re there.

To sum up, head to Yunxi Ecological Park if you want to have a peaceful family walk while admiring nature or if you want your kids to be out but for the outing to be restful. The location, within walking distance from Baiyunshan’s West Gate and next to Mingquanju, a little known, another beautiful spot for a relaxing stroll at the foot of the aforementioned mountain, is very convenient. If you’re not sure if your kids would like this type of park, maybe try and visit it yourself first, like I did:)?

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Info:

Address: Yunxi Botanical Garden, 1028 Baiyun Dadao Nan, Baiyun district

Opening times: 8am-6pm

Getting there: Nearest metro station is Baiyun Park on Line 2 (same one as for Children’s Park), exit D , which offers a direct shuttle bus to the park (it’s quite far to walk). In addition, the following buses stop right outside the park: Guangzhou Gymnasium Station—76A, 66, 76, 26, 223, 127, 245, 38, 864, 706, 841, B18, B18 Express, University Town Special Line 1.

Parking: There is no parking because visitors are encouraged to take public transport but the nearby Baiyunshan West Gate has a car park and it’s only about a 5min walk away. Other car parks nearby are at Baiyun Conference Centre and Guangzhou Gymnasium.

Price: It was 40rmb per adult, 20rmb per child when I went but I hear it’s only 20rmb per adult now! Do check for discounts.

Food: I did see one eatery on site but it was closed so better bring your own picnic, have a snack at the café or enjoy delicious, authentic Korean food at the nearby Korea Town.

Facilities: There are toilets around the ‘park’ and in the café but I am not sure about baby changing facilities. Tents are allowed on the central lawn.

Age: As mentioned above, you could bring babies and toddlers here, I don’t see why not, but it’s probably most suitable for older kids as they would make the most of it.

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Tips:

• Park gets much busier on weekends, obviously, but it’s mostly elderly people. Note that you may struggle to find a free table at the café then.
• Make a day out of it by visiting Peach Blossom Valley at Baiyunshan next door – now (Feb/March) is the perfect time to see the trees bloom! Enter through the gate behind Foreign Languages University.
• Mingquanju, 5min walk away from the garden and actually joined to it via a side gate, is an area around Oriental Resort Hotel, which in the past was only open to government officers. The walk around the lake is lovely, especially after some tea and cake in the hotel’s elegant, bright lobby:) I’ll write about this place soon as it’s a true hidden gem!