Tuancheng

Tuancheng

Destination Introduction

Tuancheng is located on the west side of the north gate of Beihai Park in Xicheng District. Originally, it was a small islet in Taiye Pool.

During the Jin Dynasty, Tuancheng was part of the imperial garden. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Yitian Hall was added to it. In the Ming Dynasty, it was renovated and renamed as Chengguang Hall. Walls were built around the islet, and the tops of the walls were crenellated, which initially established the scale of Tuancheng.

The wall is 4.6 meters high, and the area covers approximately 4,500 square meters. Chengguang Hall is a square hall with a double-eaved hipped-gable roof covered in yellow glazed tiles. On each of its four sides extends a single-eaved, round-arched wing, forming a distinctive cruciform layout with elegant variations. The hall houses an exquisitely carved, pure white jade Buddha. In front of the hall stands the Three-Urn Pavilion, built in the 14th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1749), which contains a large ink-black jade urn carved from a single block. Other structures such as the Gula Tang (Ancient Rhythm Hall), Yuqing Zhai (Tranquil Abode), and Jinglan Ting (Mirror Ripple Pavilion) feature compact and well-organized layouts with unique architectural styles.

In 1900, when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, Tuancheng suffered severe looting. The Yanxiang Gate Tower was destroyed, the left arm of the White Jade Buddha was damaged, and the precious cultural relics on Tuancheng were all plundered.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Party and government carried out multiple renovations of Tuancheng. In 1961, the State Council listed both Tuancheng and Beihai Park as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Tuancheng is adjacent to Beihai Park. Tickets can be purchased as part of the Beihai Park joint ticket or separately for just 1 yuan. Visitors usually first tour Beihai Park, and upon exiting, the entrance to Tuancheng is right at the gate. The overall shape of Tuancheng is circular and not very tall. Its main buildings and precious relics were looted by the Eight-Nation Alliance. Currently, there is a central stele in Tuancheng, with the main hall located in front of it.

Location

Inside Beihai Park, west side of the north gate of Beihai, Xicheng District, Beijing (No. 1 Wenjin Street)

Ticket: 1 yuan