Yuyuantan Park

Last week, during the May Day holiday, we went for a walk in Yuyuantan Park in western Beijing. It was a very nice day even if a little windy. Lots of people out enjoying the day.

This guy was doing ribbon dancing.

This was actually just outside the park. It looked like several barbers had set up shop on the street.

There were many families out in the park. This little guy was having a grand time.

Here a group of young people are enjoying a picnic. Pretty much the same as in the U.S. - just substitute fish balls and pancakes for fried chicken and potato salad, chopsticks for forks.

At first glance I thought this was a young girl blowing bubbles. The flower garlands are very popular with the younger crowd.

Closer inspection, like the tattoo on her chest, suggests she is older than 12.

Click to enlarge.

I think this is an erhu that the old man is playing. An erhu is two string instrument. However, this one looks like it had three strings. I guess that makes it a sanhu.

This little - I'm going to go with girl based on the shoes and jacket - just had to hold out her bubble hoop and let the wind do its work.

I hope her parents have a picture of the outfit to share with her boyfriends when she is older.

These girls looked like they were posing for pictures. It didn't look like a professional shoot. I wonder if maybe it was for a photography class.

There were several large and small lakes in the park. The park is big - about 2 km by 0.7 km.

It really was a nice day.

Fortunately this scene was on the other side of the lake. It took a telephoto lens to capture it.

I'm not sure I'd swim in any of the lakes or rivers in Beijing. I don't have enough confidence in the sewage collection system.

There were a lot of flowers in the park. The tulips were very nice.

More tulips.

These are Japanese Cherry tree blossoms.

The park us famous for its thousands of Cherry trees.

Not sure what these are.

We came across an art auction set up in the park.  We didn't understand anything except the prices but you could just imagine the auctioneer overstating the quality and provenance of the paintings. Margot didn't want to leave - she seemed to enjoy deciphering the prices. This one might have fetched 100 to 200 RMB. I don't recall exactly.

All sorts of knick-knacks and snacks for sale.

This bridge spans the link between the 2 lakes.

This is the Beijing TV tower. I was located at the west end of the park.

Another flower picture.