Parks
Taoranting Park
A former hangout for literati, while most other Beijing parks were for imperial families only. The park has a total area of 240,000 m2 with water area accounting for 69,000 m2. The park is a mixture of ancient construction styles and modern park design. It was built in 1952. Taoran Pavilion one of the four most important in Beijing build in 1695 and some tombs are located in the park. The park has a lake with pavilions on the bank. The park also has a Mini Golf Center, a Water Wonder Land as well as Peacock, China Rose, and Deer Gardens.
Grand View Garden
Garden established in the 1980s based on the novel 'The Dream of the Red Mansions'. 125,000 m2 with temples, pavilions and other buildings as well as miniature gardens. Traditional ceremonies performed now and then. The park also has a restaurant.
Museums
Museum of Ancient Architecture
Museum with a model of Beijing ancient city as well as exhibits of Beijing's ancient architecture.
Song Tang Zhai Museum of Traditional Chinese Folk Carving
This is a small privately owned museum showing carvings in doors, furniture, other wood and stone.
Museum of Ancient Pottery Civilization
Shows the Chinese history of pottery from Neolithic Age to now.
Despite the long history of the district, it is not home to any of the most important sights in Beijing. However, the district does have some interesting parks and temples, especially the Grand View Garden and the Niu Street Mosque, which are worth a visit if you have more time in Beijing after seeing the top sights of the city.
Niu Street Mosque
Famous Mosque build in 996 and the oldest and largest of the mosques in Beijing. Structured as a traditional Chinese palace, but also uses typical Arabic decoration with a lot of red colour. A must see if staying for more than a few days. The Muslim presence in the area is obvious with many Muslim shops and Arabic signs around.
Fayuan Temple
This Buddhist temple was built in 645 and rebuilt in 1436-1449, which makes it the oldest existing in Beijing. Now, it is the site of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the exhibition center for Buddhist cultural relics, and is also an important institution training young monks and Buddhism research. The temple covers 6,700 square meters. The main buildings are Gate of Temple, Heavenly King Hall, Main Hall, Hall of Great Compassion, Sutra Hall, and Bell and Drum Towers.