In Beijing, almost any park offers boat rentals. But if you’re after charm and atmosphere, you’ll want to find spots that are not only scenic but also full of character. Here are some of the most worthwhile places to go boating.
The Summer Palace — Cruise Through an Imperial Garden
Scenery at the Summer Palace
Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace is the most captivating body of water in the suburbs of Beijing. The lake covers three-quarters of the park, spanning a total area of 3,000 acres—larger than all five of Beijing’s Beihai Parks combined. With its vast waters and stunning scenery, it draws large crowds every summer and autumn. Visitors cruise the lake to escape the heat, feeling the breeze on their faces and watching ripples dance across the water. To the west stands the Jade Peak Pagoda atop green hills, while to the north rises the Tower of Buddhist Incense nestled among emerald cypresses. The interplay of distant mountains and nearby waters evokes poetic charm, instantly dispelling the summer heat. On sunny late-summer or early-autumn days, standing on the shore, you can admire a lively scene: motorboats and painted pleasure boats ferrying tourists around the lake, while smaller craft glide along as visitors paddle. Bridges, islands, halls, and pavilions are mirrored in the water, creating a magnificent panorama.
Shichahai — Experience Traditional Yet Modern Beijing
Shichahai
Shichahai is a laid-back area where water meets mountains, willows line the shores, and traditional homes create a rich tapestry of Beijing’s local flavor and historical ambiance. People come here to hear the crisp chirping of crickets in autumn, glimpse a microcosm of old Beijing’s siheyuan courtyard architecture, and savor what feels like the fading elegance of imperial heritage.
Shichahai has long been a renowned summer retreat and leisure spot in old Beijing. Historical records describe how, during the hot summer months, vendors set up stalls along the shore offering lotus-root treats, tea houses, snacks, goods, and performances, attracting officials, literati, and commoners alike in a bustling scene. Today, near Yinding Bridge, you’ll find century-old establishments like “Roast Meat Season” and “Exploding Tripe Zhang,” as well as “Kong Yiji.” Shichahai also embraces modern flair with its stylish bars lining both shores—each with its own unique character, drawing visitors from across the country.
Beihai Park — A Scenic Memory from Childhood Rhymes
Beihai
Centered around Beihai Lake, Beihai Park spans 7 square kilometers (with about 3.9 square kilometers of water). The Tibetan-style White Dagoba on Jade Flower Island in the lake is the park’s iconic landmark. The rippling waters reflect the splendor of the Wave-Pacifying Hall, while the winding corridors of Hao & Pu Pavilion add charm. The northern shore of Beihai features several religious structures, including the Little Western Paradise, Great Western Paradise, Chanfu Temple, and the Western Paradise of Buddhist Splendor, along with the colorful Nine-Dragon Screen adorned with dragons playing amid clouds and waves—vividly sculpted and brightly colored. The park also houses cultural relics such as the Iron Shadow Wall, a 16-sided polygonal stone pagoda, 495 authentic calligraphy works by famous historical figures, the Wansui Mountain Circular City, and the Jade Buddha in the Chengguang Hall. The Jade Buddha inside the Circular City stands 1.6 meters tall, carved from a single piece of white jade, inlaid with gems, and radiates a lustrous glow—making it an extremely precious artifact. A sword mark on its left arm serves as evidence of the atrocities committed by the Eight-Nation Alliance when they invaded Beijing in 1900. In front of the Chengguang Hall sits the massive Jade Jar “Dushan Grand Jade Sea,” weighing 3,500 kilograms and exuding an imposing presence.
Yuyuantan — Boating Amidst Blossoms
Yuyuantan
Located in the easily accessible Haidian District, Yuyuantan borders the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to the east, faces the CCTV Headquarters across the West Third Ring Middle Road to the west, sits just north of the China Millennium Monument to the south, and connects to the Navy General Hospital to the north. As early as the Jin Dynasty, this area was a scenic retreat in the northwest suburbs of the Jindu capital. During the Liao and Jin periods, its winding rivers and watery landscapes resembled a picturesque countryside, dotted with secluded retreats sought by feudal scholars, such as “Nourishing Virtue Among Forests and Springs” and “Fishing by the River Bend.” In the 38th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty, the famous Xiangshan Water Diversion Project excavated the Yuyuantan lake system, attracting sandpipers and waterfowl and infusing the lush, verdant scenery with vitality. Yuyuantan is not only a serene and tree-lined spot ideal for escaping the summer heat, swimming, and boating in the western suburbs, but it also plays a crucial role in Beijing’s water management system by channeling and regulating floodwaters.