Beijing Botanical Garden, lying at the foot of Beijing's Western Hills, was founded in 1956 with financial support from the central government. Following a decade of expansion, it suffered a decade of neglect during the Cultural Revolution. During the past 20 years, a great many new projects and and area have been created. New collection areas are being extended and more plant species are being collected at present.  It is Northern China's biggest botanical garden and contains one of Asia's largest greenhouses.

Beijing Botanical Garden is concerned primarily in the collection and preservation of plant species form Northern China (including the Northeast and Northwest). Whilst a famous tourist sight, the Botanical Garden is also a key site for research and education on plants. Around 300 hectares are currently open to the public, including living plant collections, historic sights located within the gardens and a nature reserve. Excellent displays are created monthly in the main conservatory, a large greenhouse. There are also a Bonsai (Penjing) Garden, the Arboretum and 14 outdoor gardens: Tree-peony Garden, Peony Garden, Rose Garden, Ornamental Peach Garden, Lilac Garden, Crabapple-contoneaster Garden, Magnolia Garden, Autumn Colour Garden, Perennial Garden, Bamboo Garden and Mume Flower Garden. There are more than 4 million domestic and international visitors per year.