Ritan Park is built around the Ming-era Temple of the Sun, where imperial sacrifices to the sun were once performed. The circular altar is still the heart of the park, and the surrounding paths make it an easy place to fold a bit of history into a walk through eastern Beijing.
Climb the small hill for a view toward the modern CBD skyline, or come for the local life: kite-flying, families, and older residents using the park as a neighbourhood gathering place.