Shichahai, also written as “Ten Temples Lake,” was named for the ten Buddhist temples originally surrounding the area. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was known as Haizi, featuring a wide and long water surface. It was later reduced in size during the early Ming Dynasty and gradually formed the interconnected lakes of Xihai, Houhai, and Qianhai. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has become a popular place for recreation and summer leisure, embodying the authentic Beijing spirit as a public amusement park.
The scenic area centers around Yinding Bridge and consists of the three connected lakes of Shichahai (also known as Qianhai), Houhai, and Xihai (also called Jishuitan), earning it the nickname “The Water Town of the North.” The area boasts numerous typical hutongs and siheyuan (courtyard houses), such as the large and small Jin Si Hutongs in the Jin Si Tao area, the Nan and Bei Guan Fang Hutongs, and the Ya’er Hutong and Yandaixie Street along the north shore of Houhai. Notable attractions include the Prince Gong Mansion and the Prince Chun Mansion.
Shichahai is known for its vibrant cultural activities such as releasing lotus lanterns, boating on the lakes, enjoying lotus-themed banquets, ice bed gatherings, large ice-skating events, summer dance parties, and experiencing authentic Beijing opera and folk music. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in these traditional activities to fully appreciate the area’s rich cultural heritage.
Travel Information about Shichahai Area
Tickets and Opening Hours
- Tickets: Free
- Opening Hours: Open all day
Best Time to Visit
Shichahai is suitable for travel in all seasons. In summer, the lake is as smooth as a mirror, with willows swaying and lotus flowers in bloom; in winter, it transforms into a natural ice skating rink.
Getting There
- Location: Xicheng District, adjacent to Beijing’s central axis.
- Subway: Take Line 2 to Jishuitan Station, Line 6 to Beihai North Station, or Line 8 to Shichahai Station.
Scenic Ratings
- Cultural: ★★★★
- Unique: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★★★★
- Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Shichahai Area
Yinding Bridge &Yandai Xie Street
Yinding Bridge is a stone bridge shaped like a silver ingot, connecting Qianhai and Houhai. This bridge is the highlight of Shichahai, renowned for its “Three Bests”: viewing the Western Hills, admiring the lotus flowers, and tasting roasted meat. “Yinding View of the Hills” is one of the lesser-known Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing. Additionally, the bridge serves as a hub for travel between Prince Gong Mansion, Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence, the Fire God Temple, and the Lotus Market.
Yandai Xie Street is one of Beijing’s oldest oblique streets. Historically, it housed the Dragon King Temple and Guangfu Daoist Temple. Although the Dragon King Temple has been demolished, the Guangfu Temple remains well-preserved, albeit now functioning as a combination of residential space and bar. The hutong (alley) has seen the emergence of numerous ethnic craft shops and various bars primarily targeting foreign tourists. The eclectic and culturally rich decorations create a striking contrast with the ancient alley of Yandai Xie Street.
Related Details:
- If interested, you can turn onto Yandai Xie Street to visit the Qing Dynasty Post Office, which marks the birth of modern postal services in China. At the post office, you can stamp some beautifully patterned postmarks as a souvenir. Of course, you need to purchase the post office’s postcards first to get the postmarks.
- During the Qing Dynasty, residents of the northern city area had a habit of smoking dry tobacco, which required a pipe. Seeing the demand, some families living on the oblique street opened tobacco pipe shops, and their business thrived. Gradually, the entire street became filled with tobacco pipe shops, forming what came to be known as Yandai Street. Additionally, Yandai Xie Street itself resembles a tobacco pipe: the long, narrow street looks like the pipe stem, the entrance at the east end looks like the mouthpiece, and the west end curves southward towards Yinding Bridge, resembling the bowl of a tobacco pipe.
Prince Chun Mansion & Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence
The Prince Chun Mansion was initially the residence of Mingzhu, a grand secretary during the early Qing Dynasty. It became a potential imperial residence because Emperor Guangxu was born there. Upon Guangxu’s ascension to the throne, Prince Chun had to move out. To distinguish between his residences, the original mansion near Taiping Lake was called the Southern Mansion, while the new mansion along the north shore of Houhai was called the Northern Mansion.
The Northern Mansion’s western part was the royal garden. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Soong Ching Ling lived there, and it later became her former residence. The eastern part of the mansion is the actual residence, divided into east, central, and west routes. The central route contains the main structures, with a five-room gate facing south. The eastern route includes ancestral halls, Buddhist temples, and ancillary buildings, with a stable outside the eastern wall. The western route features two parallel courtyards, serving as the main activity center for the Prince Chun Mansion.
Soong Ching Ling’s former residence is located at No. 46 Houhai North Shore. It is a typical Chinese-style courtyard. Soong Ching Ling moved here in 1963 and spent nearly 20 years working, studying, and living in this location. The residence is now open to the public and divided into three sections: the original furnishings display, the Soong Ching Ling life exhibition, and the courtyard.
Prince Gong’s Mansion & Guo Moruo Memorial
Prince Gong’s Mansion is located at the northwest corner of Shichahai. Built in the 41st year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1776), it is the largest princely residence from the Qing Dynasty. Initially, it was the residence of Heshen. In the first year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1851), it was granted to Prince Gong, Yixin, and has since been known as Prince Gong’s Mansion. This mansion witnessed the rise and fall of a dynasty, hence the saying, “Half of Qing Dynasty history is in Prince Gong’s Mansion.” The mansion is a typical princely residence with a central axis and symmetrical design. Notable attractions include the Grand Theatre Building, the Western-Style Gate, the Rear Screen Building, and the Yin’an Hall.
The Guo Moruo Memorial is located at No. 18, Qianhai West Street, on the west bank of Shichahai. Originally, it served as the stables for Prince Gong’s Mansion. Guo Moruo lived here from 1963 until his death in 1978, spending 15 years in this well-preserved courtyard. Most rooms are now open to the public as exhibition halls, showcasing valuable items like the “Ode to the Leaders” and the “Cat Dish Inkstone.”
Related Detail:
Beijing locals often say, “Visit the Forbidden City for royal presence, the Great Wall for grandeur, and Prince Gong’s Mansion for good fortune!” This “good fortune” refers to the mansion’s famous “Fu” (福) character stele, one of the “Three Wonders” of Prince Gong’s Mansion. Located at the center of the mansion’s rockery, the stele bears the character for “fortune” written by Emperor Kangxi for his grandmother’s birthday. The stele is 7.9 meters long and runs through the entire rockery.
Bell Tower & Drum Tower
The Bell Tower is built on a high brick and stone platform. It is the only large single structure in China with a beamless arch brick and stone design, making it a unique masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture that ingeniously combines construction with sound transmission. In the center of the Bell Tower stands an octagonal bell frame, which holds a large bronze bell cast on an auspicious day during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty. This bell is one of the largest and heaviest ancient bronze bells in China, earning it the title “King of Bells.”
The Drum Tower served as the time-keeping center of the ancient city. Standing at a height of 46.7 meters, the Drum Tower is situated on a 4-meter-high brick platform. With its red walls, carved beams, and painted rafters, the Drum Tower is both majestic and magnificent. Both the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are located in the northern part of Beijing’s central axis. Their architectural style, resembling city towers with unique flying eaves and corners, gives them significant artistic and aesthetic value, making them renowned cultural landmarks. Although the Bell Tower and Drum Tower no longer serve their original purpose, their deep, resonant bell and drum sounds can still be heard during festivals, marking them as a famous sight in Beijing.
Shichahai Itineraries
For a rickshaw tour, start at the Drum and Bell Towers and take a rickshaw to Yinding Bridge, where you’ll get off. From there, visit Guanghua Temple, Prince Chun’s Mansion, and Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence. Make sure to explore Jiumen Snacks and Wild Duck Island before heading to Gong Wang Fu (Prince Gong’s Mansion) and the Guo Moruo Memorial Museum. Finish your tour at the Lotus Flower Market and Qianhai.
If you prefer a boat tour, start at Shuai Fu Wharf and take a rowing boat through Qianhai, passing under Yinding Bridge and continuing to Houhai, which offers the best view of the Drum and Bell Towers in Beijing. Visit Wild Duck Island, and then disembark at the Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence Wharf to explore the residence, enjoy Jiumen Snacks, and wander through the hutongs.
Visitor Guide for Shichahai Area
Transportation in the Scenic Area
- Rickshaw: In the Shichahai area, there are many rickshaws available for a leisurely ride through the streets and alleys. The licensed Shichahai Hutong Tour rickshaws come with drivers who can also act as guides.
- Bicycle: Bicycles are the best means of transportation for exploring the Shichahai Hutongs. There are bicycle rental points along the southern shore of Qianhai.
Food
Shichahai is a food haven, offering a wide range of culinary delights from century-old establishments to street food stalls.
For an authentic Beijing taste, head to Jiumen Snacks (No. 1, Xiaoyou Hutong, Desheng Street, Xicheng District) west of the Song Qingling Residence. In an old-style courtyard, you’ll find over a dozen old Beijing snack shops offering treats like braised beef, Yulian baked cakes, mutton hotpot, and tofu pudding.
Alternatively, visit the Huguosi Snack Street west of the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall. Here, you can try delights such as stuffed pig intestines, imperial milk custard, and shoe sole baked cakes.
Kaorouji (No. 14, Qianhai East Bank, Desheng Street, Xicheng District) is one of the oldest restaurants near Shichahai, famous for its traditional roasted mutton as well as chicken, duck, fish, and seafood barbecues. Their sesame seed buns are a must-try.
In addition to these time-honored restaurants like Yueshengzhai (within Jiumen Snacks), Bao Du Feng (near the Song Qingling Residence), Dongxingshun Bao Du Zhang (No. 17, Qianhai East Bank, Shichahai), and Huguosi Snack Shop (No. 93, Huguosi Street, Xicheng District), there are many charming eateries to explore. Enjoy a leisurely walk and discover these culinary gems.
Entertainment
Boat Rides: In summer, Shichahai is pleasantly cool and blooming with lotus flowers, making it ideal for boat rides. Several docks along the lake offer boats, such as the Haidong Dream Jiangnan Dock, Lotus Market Dock, Yeyu Island Dock, and Liuyin Zhengdu Dock. You can enjoy pedal boats or rowboats, with prices varying by boat type. Scenic rowboats provide a one-hour lake tour with a guide explaining the sights of Shichahai.
Ice Skating: In winter, when the lake freezes, boat rides are unavailable, but you can enjoy the winter scenery. Once the ice layer reaches a certain thickness, Shichahai transforms into an ice skating rink. Ice skates and ice bikes are available for rent at reasonable prices, with a deposit of 100-200 RMB. The skating area includes sections for ice bikes and skating, catering to various needs and adding a unique charm to the Shichahai scenic area.
Bars: Houhai is famous for its diverse array of bars, with one or two hundred options ranging from traditional to modern and fusion styles. Many bars feature live music, creating a lively atmosphere.
- Water Nest (No. 2, Houhai West Bank, Xicheng District) is lakeside and offers reasonably priced drinks. Coffee is a good choice, and the red wines are decent. The highlight is the live band performances. You can relax on soft sofas, work on your laptop, and enjoy the breeze from the lake outside the window.
- Houhai No. 5 (No. 5, Houhai North Bank, near Xiao Shibei Hutong, west of Silver Ingot Bridge) offers guzheng performances during the day and modern, unique band shows at night. Open 24 hours, it provides a refreshing break from traditional Beijing courtyards with its stylish atmosphere. Popular cocktails include the “Shen Qi No. 5” and “Absolute Zero.”
- Zoom (No. 2, Aimin Street, Xicheng District) is a football-themed bar with walls decorated with jerseys of various top teams. It features an English-style football bar atmosphere and is perfect for enjoying Premier League matches with friends, both local and international, while sipping on beers on weekends.
Accommodation:
Staying around Shichahai offers a unique experience, especially in the traditional Beijing courtyard houses, known as siheyuan, within the hutongs. Near Houhai and the Drum Tower, there are many guesthouses and hostels nestled in these historic lanes, embodying the essence of old Beijing. Notable accommodations include:
- Du Ge Siheyuan (No. 26, Qianyuan Temple Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District): A classic example of a traditional courtyard house offering an authentic Beijing experience.
- Beijing Drum Rhythm Youth Hostel (No. 51, Old Drum Tower Street, Xicheng District): A budget-friendly option with a vibrant atmosphere close to the Drum Tower.
- Beijing Huajian Residence Courtyard Hotel (No. 14, Sanbulao Hutong, Denai Street, Xicheng District): A charming courtyard hotel providing a comfortable and culturally rich stay.