Beihai Park

Beihai Park

Beihai Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site protected by the Beijing Municipality.

Beihai Park (Beihai Park), located in the central area of Beijing, west of Jingshan Hill within the city and northwest of the Forbidden City, is collectively referred to as the "Three Lakes" along with Zhonghai and Nanhai. It is an ancient imperial garden of China. The entire park centers around Beihai Lake, covering an area of approximately 71 hectares, with water surfaces accounting for 583 urban mu and land for 480 urban mu. Originally built as detached palaces during the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, and later designated as imperial gardens during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is one of the oldest, most complete, and most representative imperial gardens in China, and was opened to the public as a park in 1925. It is the longest-preserved and most intact imperial garden in China.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park features uniquely designed pavilions and winding corridors. The entire park is laid out based on the mythological concept of “one pond and three fairy mountains” (Taiye Pool, Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou), giving it a distinctive form and a strong touch of fantasy. The expansive water surface, reflections of the lake and pagoda, lush pines and cypresses, fragrant flowers and trees, ornate pavilions, rockeries, and caves create a colorful and fairy-tale-like scenery. On Qionghua Island stands a 67-meter-high Tibetan-style White Dagoba (built in 1651), along with the stele of “Qiongdao Chunyin” (Spring Shade on Qiongdao), one of the Eight Views of Yanjing inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, as well as rockeries and caves. The northeastern shore houses structures such as the Painting Boat Studio, Hao Pu Creek, Mirror Clear Studio, Heavenly King Hall, Five-Dragon Pavilions, and Nine-Dragon Screen. To the south lies the Round City by the water, where the exquisitely designed Chengguang Hall nestles amid lush pines and cypresses. Beihai Park served as an entertainment site for the emperor. Its Nine-Dragon Screen is especially famous.

Beihai is an artistic masterpiece among historical Chinese gardens. Covering a total area of 69 hectares (including 39 hectares of water), it mainly consists of the Qionghua Island, East Bank, and North Bank scenic areas. Qionghua Island is covered with dense trees and rows of palaces and halls, with pavilions and towers arranged in picturesque disorder. The towering White Dagoba on the mountain peak serves as the symbol of the park. Willow trees along the lake frame numerous renowned attractions such as Hao Pu Creek, Painting Boat Studio, Tranquil Mind Studio, Heavenly King Hall, Fast Snow Hall, Nine-Dragon Screen, Five-Dragon Pavilions, and Little Western Heaven. The Beihai Garden incorporates the strengths of various styles, combining the grandeur of northern gardens with the delicate charm of southern private gardens, as well as the splendor of imperial palaces and the solemnity of religious temples. It presents a magnificent yet harmonious whole, and is a treasure of Chinese garden art.

Suggested Duration

Half a day

Transportation

To reach the North Gate: Take bus routes 13, 42, 90, 107, 111, 118, 204, 609, 612, 623, 701 and get off at Beihai Park North Gate Station, or take Metro Line 6 and get off at Beihai North Station.

To reach the East Gate: Take bus routes 5, 609 and get off at Xibanqiao Station.

To reach the South Gate or Southwest Gate: Take bus routes 5, 101, 103, 109, 124, 202, 211, 614, 619, 685, Special Line 1, or Special Line 2 and get off at Beihai Station.

Ticket

Low season (November 1 – March 31): 5 RMB/person, combination ticket 15 RMB/person

Peak season (April 1 – October 31): 10 RMB/person, combination ticket 20 RMB/person

Qionghua Island: 10 RMB/person; Round City: 1 RMB/person

Opening Hours

Low season: November, December, January – March: 6:30 – 20:00, ticket sales stop at 19:30

Peak season: April – October: 6:30 – 21:00, ticket sales stop at 20:30

Qionghua Island: 8:30 – 18:00

Location

No. 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing