Beihai Park

　　Beihai Park (Beihai Park), located in the central area of Beijing, west of Jingshan within the city and northwest of the Forbidden City, together with Zhonghai and Nanhai, is collectively known as the "Three Seas." It is one of China’s ancient imperial gardens. The entire park centers around Beihai Lake, covering an area of about 71 hectares, with 583 mu of water surface and 480 mu of land. Originally built as detached palaces during the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, it was developed into an imperial garden 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 oldest and most intact imperial garden preserved in China.

　　Beihai Park

　　The park features uniquely designed pavilions and winding corridors. It is laid out based on the mythological concept of “one pond and three fairy mountains” (Taiye Pool, Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou), giving it a unique form and a richly fantastical ambiance. With its expansive water surfaces, reflections of the pagoda in the lake, lush pines and cypresses, fragrant flowers and trees, elegant pavilions, rockeries, and caves, the scenery is vibrant and resembles a fairyland. On Qionghua Island stands a 67-meter-high Tibetan-style White Dagoba (built in 1651), along with the “Spring Shade on Qionghua Island” stele inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty — one of the Eight Views of Yanjing — as well as rockeries and deep caves. On the northeastern shore are structures such as the Painting Boat House, Hao Pu Pond, Mirror Clear Studio, Heavenly King Hall, Five-Dragon Pavilion, and Nine-Dragon Screen; to the south lies the Round City by the water, the Beihai Tuancheng, atop which in the lush pines and cypresses stands the exquisitely crafted Chengguang Hall. Beihai Park served as an entertainment site for emperors. Its Nine-Dragon Screen is the most famous attraction.

　　Beihai is an artistic masterpiece among China’s historical gardens. The entire park covers 69 hectares (including 39 hectares of water surface) and mainly consists of three scenic areas: Qionghua Island, the eastern shore, and the northern shore. Qionghua Island is covered with lush trees and densely arranged halls and pavilions, with the towering White Dagoba on the mountaintop serving as the symbol of the park. Willow trees line the lake, framing numerous famous sites such as Hao Pu Pond, Painting Boat House, Jingxin Studio, Heavenly King Hall, Kuai Xue Hall, Nine-Dragon Screen, Five-Dragon Pavilion, and Little Western Heaven. Beihai Garden incorporates the strengths of various styles, blending the grandeur of northern gardens and the delicate charm of southern private gardens, as well as the opulence of imperial palaces and the solemnity of religious temples. It presents a magnificent yet harmonious whole and is a treasure of Chinese garden art.

　　Opening Hours

　　6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (April to May, September to October)

　　6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (June to August)

　　6:30 AM – 8:00 PM (January to March, November to December)

Beihai Park is aAAAA-rated attraction