The well-known song “Let Us Paddle Together,” which begins with the lines “Let us paddle together, the little boat pushes aside the waves, reflecting the beautiful White Tower on the water’s surface, surrounded by green trees and red walls…,” describes the picturesque scenery of Beihai Park.
The park is known for its unique pavilions and winding corridors. The layout is inspired by the mythical “Three Islands and One Pond” (Taiye Pond, Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou), giving it a distinctive and rich fantastical atmosphere. Beihai Park combines the grandeur of northern gardens with the delicate charm of southern private gardens, and it also embodies the magnificence of imperial gardens and the solemnity of religious temples, presenting a harmonious and varied display of Chinese garden art.
At the center of the park is the Beihai Lake, which is surrounded by four main scenic areas: Qionghua Island, the North Bank, the East Bank, and Tuan Cheng. Notable attractions include the White Tower, Five-Dragon Pavilion, Nine-Dragon Wall, Yong’an Temple, Yueshen Hall, Qionghua Island, and Shanyin Hall. The White Tower on Qionghua Island stands tall with its varied pavilions; below the island, the vast blue waves are dotted with boats, and along the lake’s edge, green willows hang down, flowers create a tapestry, and pavilions and towers are hidden among the scenery, creating a poetic and picturesque landscape throughout the entire garden.
Travel Information about Beihai Park
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices:
- Peak Season (April to October): 10 CNY; combined ticket 20 CNY
- Off-Peak Season (November to March): 5 CNY; combined ticket 15 CNY
- Qionghua Island White Tower: 10 CNY
- Tuan Cheng: 1 CNY
Opening Hours:
- Summer: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Winter: 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
Beihai Park offers unique attractions in every season. The best time to visit is in September and October when the autumn weather is crisp, the maple leaves turn red, and the ginkgo trees create a golden pathway.
Access to the Scenic Area
- Location: No. 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, west of Jingshan Park and northwest of the Forbidden City.
- Subway: Take Line 6 to Beihai North Station and walk to the East Gate of Beihai Park.
Scenic Rating
- Cultural ★★★★
- Unique ★★★
- Leisure ★★★★
- Beautiful ★★★★
- Romantic ★★★
- Stimulating ★★★
Highlights of Beihai Park
Tuan Cheng (Circular City)
Tuan Cheng, located on the west side of the park’s south gate, is circular in shape and is renowned as the “City within the City of Beijing.” Its buildings with green tiles and red walls create one of the most picturesque areas in Beijing. At the center of the city wall is the Chengguang Hall, which houses a niche containing a 1.5-meter-tall white jade Buddha statue. The statue, carved from a single piece of jade, is adorned with red and green gemstones on its head and clothing, and its face is serene, pure, and lustrous.
To the south of Chengguang Hall is the Yuweng Pavilion, while to the north is the Jingji Hall, forming the central axis of the city wall. Symmetrically arranged on either side are the ancient Lai Hall, and the east and west wings of the Yuqing Studio. Tuan Cheng also features a gourd pine planted during the Jin Dynasty, over 800 years old, making it one of Beijing’s oldest forests.
Related Details:
- Beihai Park has extended opening hours, allowing for daytime visits to capture photos. Additionally, the park’s night view, illuminated by lights, also offers excellent opportunities for capturing beautiful garden scenes.
- Not far from Beihai Park, Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park is another great spot to photograph the White Pagoda of Beihai. On a clear evening, setting your focus on the pagoda while capturing the sunset in the distance can create a breathtaking and picturesque scene.
Yong’an Bridge & Yong’an Temple
Yong’an Bridge, built in the early 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty, is a graceful and exquisite arched stone bridge that plays a key role in connecting and highlighting Qionghua Island. At both the northern and southern ends of the bridge, there are decorative painted arches named “Ji Cui” and “Dui Yun,” each flanked by a pair of stone lions, creating a symmetrical and picturesque effect.
Yong’an Temple was originally established as White Pagoda Temple in the eighth year of the Shunzhi era (1651) during the Qing Dynasty and was renamed Yong’an Temple in the eighth year of the Qianlong era (1743). The temple, built against the hillside, is divided into three courtyards with three main halls. The front hall is called the Wheel of Dharma Hall, with bell and drum pavilions on either side, and houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The central hall is the Right Awakening Hall, and the upper hall is the Universal Peace Hall (beneath the White Pagoda), originally used for chanting scriptures. The temple’s halls and statues have been newly restored, making them quite captivating.
Related Details:
- The Die Cui Tower, located on the northwest side of the temple, is the tallest building in the park, standing two stories high. From the tower, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Beihai Park.
- From the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month to the 7th day of the first lunar month each year, the park hosts the Spring Festival and Blessing Culture Festival. Centered around the Chanfu Temple, the entire park creates a festive and harmonious atmosphere with themes of welcoming fortune, praying for blessings, and celebrating a prosperous era. Additionally, the festival features a restored display of the blessing ceremonies from the Qianlong era held in the imperial gardens of Beihai, offering a unique and interesting experience for visitors.
Qiong Hua Island
Qiong Hua Island, commonly known as Qiong Island, is also referred to as “White Pagoda Mountain” due to the presence of the White Pagoda on the island. “Qiong Hua” means “beautiful jade,” and the name suggests that the island is a paradise made of beautiful jade.
The White Pagoda stands at the peak of Qiong Island, with a height of 35.9 meters. The pagoda is cylindrical at the bottom and circular at the top, featuring a Shumi Mountain-style base. Its top is adorned with a jewel canopy, a jewel finial, and decorations of sun, moon, and flame patterns.
On the western side of Qiong Hua Island was the Yuexin Hall, used by the Qing Dynasty emperors for rest, meetings, and banquets during their park visits. Behind the hall is the Qingxiao Tower. To the northwest are the Yuegu Tower, Lin Guang Hall, Yannan Xun Pavilion, and the Copper Immortal’s Dew Plate. The “Qiong Island Spring Shade” is renowned as one of the “Eight Views of Yanjing.”
Related Details:
- In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake affected Beijing, causing damage to the top of the pagoda. During the restoration, a small gilded box, about two inches square, was discovered hidden within the central wooden core of the pagoda. The box, decorated with a Taiji diagram on its lid, contained two relics, proving that the pagoda is a relic stupa.
- The best place to photograph the White Pagoda is from the opposite bank, where the river, embankment, bridge, long willows, pavilions, towers, and the White Pagoda on the island merge into a spectacular scene. From the top of the pagoda, you can overlook the Forbidden City and Zhongnanhai.
- On the northwest side of Qionghua Island, by the lakeside, there is a building called the “Yuegu Pavilion,” with the name written in calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong. Inside the pavilion, the walls are adorned with 495 pieces of famous stone carvings, including the “Sanxi Tang Fa Tie.” This collection features 340 calligraphic works from 135 renowned calligraphers spanning from the Wei and Jin Dynasties to the end of the Ming Dynasty, showcasing exceptional calligraphy and engraving skills, known as “Double Excellence,” making it a must-see.
Nine-Dragon Wall & Five-Dragon Pavilion
The Nine-Dragon Wall is located on the northern shore of Beihai Park. It is a traditional architectural feature designed to block views, and it is the most distinctive among the three existing Nine-Dragon Walls in China. It is also unique as a double-sided wall. Constructed in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign (1756), the wall stands 5.96 meters high, is 1.6 meters thick, and 25.52 meters long. It features a five-ridge and four-pitched roof. Each of the two sides of the central ridge displays nine dragons, with one dragon on each side of the vertical ridges and two dragons on the front and back of the central ridge. Below the ridge beasts, there is a dragon on each of the east and west sides of the roof tiles. In total, the five ridges feature 32 dragons. Including the dragons on the simple tiles, the ridge tiles, and the dragon bricks (252 roof tiles, 251 ridge tiles, and 82 dragon bricks), there are 635 dragons on the Nine-Dragon Wall.
The Five-Dragon Pavilion was originally built in the 30th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli reign (1602). The central pavilion is known as Longze Pavilion, with the western pavilions named Yongrui Pavilion and Fu Cui Pavilion, and the eastern pavilions named Chengxiang Pavilion and Zixiang Pavilion. This area was originally a place where the royal family and close ministers would fish and enjoy moonlit evenings. Today, it often attracts numerous folk artists who gather to sing and dance, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere for visitors.
- After spending a long time exploring the park, you will finally reach the famous Nine-Dragon Wall, which is adorned with nine coiled dragons on both sides. Be sure to take photos of both sides of the wall.
- Every August, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, Beihai Park hosts a Lotus Flower Festival. During this event, themed flower beds such as “Emerald Fan Lotus Fragrance,” “Dancing with the Lotus,” and “Lotus Breeze and Playful Fish” will be displayed at the North Gate Square and the east and west sides of Qionghua Island, showcasing over a hundred varieties of lotus and aquatic plants in thousands of pots.
Recommended Tour Routes
Full Park Tour Route
Start at Yilan Hall behind the mountain and take a ferry to the northern shore. Explore Five Dragon Pavilion, Paradise World, and Chanfusi Temple. Proceed to Chengguan Hall and Yulan Pavilion, then visit Kuai Xue Hall to see the 48 stone carvings. Next, head to the Nine Dragons Wall, with the Imperial Restaurant to the south for dining. Continue east to the Western Heaven Sanctuary, visit the Golden Nanmu Pavilion, and explore Jingxin Studio, which includes Jingqing Studio, Zhenluan Pavilion, Diecui Tower, Peicha Wu, Huaxuan, Yunqin Studio, and Baosu Bookhouse. Stroll along the lake to the eastern shore, visiting Xiancan Altar, Huafang Studio, and Haopu Cave. Cross Zhengshan Bridge and head south to exit from the South Gate.
Two-Hour Tour of Tuan Cheng and Qiong Hua Island
Start at Tuan Cheng, then visit Yong’an Temple, Yuexin Hall, and Shanyin Hall. Proceed to the White Tower, then to Jinglan Cui Xuan and descend the mountain towards Qiong Hua Spring Shade. Visit the Yiqing Pavilion, cross the Long Corridor, Yilan Hall, Daoning Studio, and Fenliang Pavilion. Explore Yugu Tower, the Copper Immortal’s Offering Plate, and Ganlu Hall. Descend south and return to Yong’an Bridge to exit from the South Gate.
Two-Hour Tour of the Northern Shore
Begin at Jingxin Studio, then visit Western Heaven Sanctuary, Nine Dragons Wall, Iron Shadow Wall, and Five Dragon Pavilion. Finish with a visit to the Small Western Heaven Scenic Area.
Visitor Guide for the Beihai Park
Food
On the northern shore of the park, there is a restaurant called Fangshan Restaurant, which specializes in authentic imperial cuisine. The chefs at this restaurant replicate the cooking methods of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial kitchen, preparing a variety of traditional dishes and snacks. Notable offerings include Fushou cakes, pea flour cakes, kidney bean rolls, and Aiwowo, as well as imperial banquets and Manchu-Han Imperial Feast dishes, all of which are very authentic.
Additionally, outside the park’s east gate is the Jinghai Courtyard Restaurant, which features a quaint decor and focuses on fast food, making it a suitable place for a casual break. Longfu Zhai Pastry Shop specializes in traditional Beijing pastries at affordable prices. The Rishang Restaurant, located outside the north gate, is praised by many Cantonese as one of Beijing’s best value-for-money Cantonese restaurants, with specialties like paper-wrapped chicken wings and clay pot rice. Finally, the Royal Ice Cellar Courtyard in Gongjian Hutong to the east of the north gate offers a fresh environment with both underground ice cellars and above-ground dining areas, serving Beijing-style home-cooked dishes.
Transportation within the Park
Walking: Strolling around the lake within the park takes approximately 3 hours. This leisurely walk offers a chance to see various scenic spots and enjoy a rewarding experience.
Boating: Beihai Park offers four types of boats: small boats, large boats, ferry boats, and specialty boats. Each type has different pricing.