Found a website with better directions getting to the Botanical Garden, 3 different options for subways stops and then the corrdinating bus. I figured by getting off at Beigongmen(exit A) off of line 4 that I would be on the bus less time. You can take both 331 or 563 to stop Beijing Zhiwuyuan Namen. About 30 minutes.
Basic entrance is only 10 rmb, but I did the combo ticket of 50 rmb for entrance into the conservatory and Wofu Temple. It was a hot day and only got hotter inside the conservatory. Reminds me of Clue!
I zigzagged across several bridges. Not too many flowers, just a few black-eyed suzies and daisies. They do say spring(oh the lilacs and peonies must be wonderful) and fall are the best time to go. It is very green now. I saw a lot of tilled up sections that they were starting to bring in flowers to plant.
Their map and direction signs are missing a lot of the destinations with in the park. Quite by accident I found a butterfly house. Another 10 rmb. But so many butterflies, lots of black ones.
The conservatory was very hot and neat, though not much English, just the plants Latin names. The sheer size of the plants like trees and mammoth cactus was cool to see. This may have been the nicest bathroom. Based solely on it supplying toilet paper.
I walked as far back into the Garden as I could, through a bamboo grove. I think I saw black bamboo(just really really dark stalks compared to regular bamboo). One spot was called magnolia garden. But it was just a bunch of lilies. There was a plank walk, fake wood, under the trees leading back into Cherry Valley(it had nothing to do with cherry trees). They were repairing part of the trail so I couldn't go any further to see the "Origin of Spring". I don't know if this referred to water or the season.
I walked on a trail that did not lead to Narnia. But instead to an abandoned construction worker settlement. Sort of spooky so I high tailed it back to the main trail.
If I had more time I would've went up the trail that said Mountain Village. But alas I did not and had to walk back out to the southeast gate. I was worried that it would be crowded after reading all the reviews saying to go after 4 for less people. Maybe none of them went on a week day. There were more workers there than tourists. I didn't see any other foreigner until I was leaving, they were entering.
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