The Lotus Fragrance Pavilion is a scenic structure in the Grand View Garden from A Dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin. As noted in the Explanations of Names: “A pavilion (榭) is a borrowed view—its design adapts to the surroundings, whether by the water or among flowers.” Shi Xiangyun once hosted the Crab-Feast and founded the Crabapple Poetry Club here. During the second banquet in the Grand View Garden, Grandma Jia drank wine beneath the Embroidered Brocade Pavilion on the eastern side of the garden and had the actresses perform music on the pavilion’s waterside stage. The sound carried beautifully over the water, with flutes and reed pipes echoing melodiously through the trees and across the pond, creating an exceptionally enchanting atmosphere.
Qionghua Ancient Cave, located on Qionghua Island in Beihai Park, Beijing, China, is a small cave beneath the White Pagoda and is well worth a visit. Inside, there are lights and statues of deities, giving it a unique charm. Beihai’s Qionghua Ancient Cave is situated at the northern foot of Qionghua Island. It is a group of winding, deep, and serene Taihu rock artificial mountain caves, initially built in the sixth year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty ().
The remnants of the Late Qing Ministry of Education are located at No. 1 Jiaoyu Street, Xicheng District, and are among the eighth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1905), the government reformed its administrative system and established the new Ministry of Education, which took over the former residence of Zhen Guo Gong Quanrong. In 1912, the Republican government in Beijing continued to use the site as the Ministry of Education. In 1928, it became the Beiping Municipal Party Headquarters of the Kuomintang.
The Qing Dynasty Inspectorate of the Imperial Household Department is located at No. 5 Zhishanmen Street, Xicheng District, and is listed as one of Beijing’s Eighth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units. Established in the fourth year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1726), it served as the supervisory body for officials of the Imperial Household Department. The compound faces south with a northward orientation, features a two-courtyard layout, covers an area of 1,793 square meters, and remains well-preserved to this day.
The remnants of Zhaohui’s Mansion are located at No. 3 Qianjing Hutong, Xicheng District, and are designated as part of the eighth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Zhaohui (1708–1764) was a renowned general during the Qianlong era who led troops in multiple campaigns to suppress rebellions in the Xinjiang region, contributing to national unification. He helped demarcate boundaries and defined the western frontier under Qing jurisdiction.
The courtyard at No. 153 Di’anmen West Street is located at No. 153 Di’anmen West Street, Xicheng District, and is listed as one of Beijing’s Seventh Batch of Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units. Originally a typical Qing Dynasty structure, it consists of a five-courtyard compound and was once the residence of warlord Xu Shixiang during the Republican era. It features a wide entrance gate with an octagonal screen wall. The first courtyard retains structures such as the gatehouse and wing rooms.
The former site of the Ministry of Finance Printing Plant of the Republic of China is located on the south side of Baizhifang Street in Xuanwu District and is listed as one of the sixth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Originally the Printing Bureau of the Board of Revenue during the Qing Dynasty, it later became the Ministry of Finance Printing Plant of the Nationalist Government. Well-preserved structures include Gate No. 2 and the clock tower, the main workshop building, three Western-style small buildings, and the water tower. …
The Former Site of Beijing Datum Point is located at No. 1 Xi’anmen Street, Xicheng District, and is among the fifth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. It was first built in 1915. Constructed from granite, the structure is a single-story square building designed in the style of an ancient Greek temple. It is the earliest-built leveling point in Beijing and even the entire North China region.
The Former National Peking University Women's Normal College is located on Xinwenhua Street and is among the third batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Mr. Lu Xun gave lectures here on multiple occasions, and the campus houses a memorial for the "March 18th" martyrs Liu Hezhen and Yang Dequn. …
No. 3 Fuguo Street Courtyard is located at No. 3 Fuguo Street, Xicheng District, and is listed as one of the fifth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. It was once the residence of Zu Dashou, a Ming dynasty general who surrendered to the Qing in the early Qing period. The central axis features a three-bay main gate, a three-bay hallway, a five-bay main hall, and three-bay wing rooms on the east and west sides. A floral-pendant gate connects to the rear courtyard, which includes a five-bay rear sleeping quarters and three-bay wing rooms on both sides. The architectural layout exemplifies the typical design of official residences during the Qing dynasty. In 1769, it was renovated to become the Third Public Middle School of the capital. The structure remains largely intact today.
The former residence of Zhu Yizun (Shunde Guild Hall) is located at No. 16 Haibo Hutong and is listed as one of the third batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. It was the Beijing residence of Zhu Yizun, a renowned scholar of the Qing Dynasty. The book "Yue Xia Jiu Wen" ("Old Accounts from Under the Sun") was compiled in the "Ancient Vine Study" within the residence.…
Xitian Fanjing, also known as the Great Xitian, is located on the north shore of Beihai Park. It lies to the east of Jingxinzhai, borders Dayuanjingzhi Bao Dian to the west, and aligns with Qionghua Island across the water to the south. It is one of the most renowned scenic spots in Beihai Park. During the Ming Dynasty, it served as a scripture printing house and also functioned as the Xitian Chanlin Lama Temple. After its expansion in the 24th year of the Qianlong reign (1759), it was renamed
Chanfu Temple is the largest temple complex in Beihai. It was originally the Taisu Hall from the Ming Dynasty, a summer retreat for imperial family members. In the seventh year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1742), it served as the silkworm pavilion for the Xiancan Altar. After the death of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, mourning ceremonies were held here. In the eleventh year of Qianlong's reign (1746), the emperor, following his mother’s wishes, ordered it to be converted into a Buddhist temple.
The site of the former Qing Dynasty Agricultural Experiment Farm is located at No. 137 Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District (currently used by Beijing Zoo). Originally a garden bestowed by the Kang Prince during the Qing Dynasty, it was taken over as an imperial garden during the Qianlong era and later became Leshan Garden (also known as the Third Prince’s Garden). On June 1, 2006, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. …
The Former Site of the Nationalist Government's Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau is a cluster of buildings from the Republican era located in Xicheng District, Beijing. It is considered an important modern historical site and representative architecture, situated at No. 23 Baizhifang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China. The buildings were originally constructed in 1908 (the 34th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign). Its predecessor was the Printing Bureau of the Qing Dynasty's Board of Revenue, and it was China’s first currency printing facility to adopt intaglio engraving equipment. It served as one of China’s modernized currency printing bases and holds significant historical value. It was designated as a Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1984, and in May 2006, it was listed as part of the sixth group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.
The Ancestral Hall and Tomb of Yuan Chonghuan are located in the northeastern part of Chongwen District, on Donghuasi Xiejie, on the former site of the Guangdong Public Cemetery. The temple is situated by the East Lake of Longtan Park in the southeastern part of the district. Yuan Chonghuan (1584–1630) was a renowned general in the late Ming Dynasty who fought against the Later Jin and defended Shanhaiguan and Beijing, achieving remarkable military feats. He was later wrongfully executed due to false accusations believed by Emperor Chongzhen.
The Traditional Shopfront Building is located at No. 50 Di’anmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, and is listed as part of the sixth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Facing west with its back to the east, the building features three bays and is a single-eave, two-story structure covering an area of nearly 400 square meters. The ground floor boasts a spacious and bright shop hall, while the second-floor balcony is adorned with exquisite carvings and fresh, vibrant paintings. It stands as one of the extant traditional shopfront buildings in Beijing.
Beijing Puzhao Temple is located in Xugezhuang Village, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District, northwest of the area. It is listed as part of the eighth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Constructed in the fifth year of the Ming Dynasty's Tianshun era (1461), the temple faces east and follows a traditional courtyard layout divided into northern and southern sections. Current structures include the mountain gate, main hall, side halls, side rooms, a north courtyard, and a liberation pond. The complete architectural layout makes it an important example for studying Buddhist temples from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The small Shahe Wetland, located about ten kilometers north of the Asian Games Village, has made the nearby "Bishui Manor" property prices astonishingly high due to the presence of this wetland. In summer, the Shahe Wetland is filled with birdsong and floral scents, and the air is much fresher than in the city. Many visitors come here specifically for birdwatching, and the ideal spot for that is the north side of the reservoir. Because the road hasn’t been fully developed yet and there are few tourists, this area is quieter compared to the south bank and has become a paradise for birds. Near the shore, you can also see people seemingly transplanting rice seedlings; additionally, there are large areas of lotus flowers—everything gives off a very serene vibe. Scattered across the middle of the reservoir are several small islands, and in the distance, you can faintly spot wild ducks on the islands. "There are especially many birds on the islands," my friend said, though of course you’d need to use a high-powered telescope from the "birdwatchers." It’s also a paradise for photography enthusiasts here.
Aoti Center Stadium hosted the equestrian and running events of the modern pentathlon during the 2008 Olympics, where two gold medals were awarded. The stadium is part of a renovation and expansion project, with the renovated and expanded total floor area of 37,000 square meters and a seating capacity of 40,000 spectators. The main structure of the project has been completed,