Located at No.1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, Beihai Park is one of the oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens in China. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a Key National Cultural Heritage Site. The park covers an area of 682,000 square meters, including a water area of 389,000 square meters and a land area of 293,000 square meters. With more than 600 ancient buildings, it forms a pattern centered around Beihai Lake, consisting of Qionghua Island, Tuancheng, and architectural complexes on the north, east, and west banks. It is a classic work that combines the majestic momentum of northern imperial gardens with the graceful charm of southern private gardens.
History and Culture
The history of Beihai Park can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty. In the 3rd year of Tianxian reign of Emperor Taizong of Liao (928), Yaoyu Palace was built here. In the 6th year of Dading reign of Jin (1166), it was expanded into a temporary imperial palace named "Daning Palace", and Qionghua Island was built, laying the pattern of the imperial garden of "one pool and three mountains". During the Yuan Dynasty, it became the core imperial garden of Dadu City. Qionghua Island was renamed "Wanshou Mountain", and the water area was called "Taiye Pool". In the 1st year of Zhiyuan (1264), Guanghan Hall was built on the island.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Beihai was continuously expanded and renovated. After the capital was established in Beijing in the 18th year of Yongle reign of Ming (1420), Beihai became part of Xiyuan. In the 8th year of Shunzhi reign of Qing (1651), a White Pagoda was built on the top of Qionghua Island, and the site of Guanghan Hall was renovated into a Lamaist pagoda. During the Qianlong period, large-scale expansion was carried out, adding buildings such as Chengguang Hall in Tuancheng, Chanfu Temple and Wulong Pavilion on the north bank, forming the current scale. In 1925, Beihai was opened to the public as a park. After 1949, it was renovated many times and now serves as an important place to display royal garden culture.
Main Attractions
Qionghua Island
Qionghua Island is the core landscape of Beihai Park, covering an area of about 16,000 square meters. Because the island is covered with pine and cypress trees, it is also known as "Pine Island". The highest point of the island is 32.3 meters above sea level, and the White Pagoda stands on the top of the mountain, 35.9 meters high. It is a Tibetan-style Lamaist pagoda built in the 8th year of Shunzhi reign of Qing (1651), and is the landmark building of Beihai. To the south of the island is Yong'an Temple, which was first built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. The main buildings in the temple include Falun Hall, Zhengjue Hall, and Pu'an Hall, which are stacked up along the mountain, showing grand momentum. To the west of the island is Yuegu Tower, which houses 495 stone inscriptions of "Sanxitang Calligraphy Models", the most complete ancient calligraphy integrated stone inscriptions in China.
Tuancheng
Tuancheng is located on the west side of the south gate of Beihai Park. It is a circular small city with a circumference of 276 meters and an area of about 4,500 square meters. The city platform is 4.6 meters high, with 17 ancient buildings on it. The main building is Chengguang Hall, which was first built in the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in the 29th year of Kangxi reign of Qing (1690). A 1.5-meter-high jade Buddha is enshrined in the hall, which was invited from Myanmar during the Guangxu period. Tuancheng also preserves the famous "Dushan Grand Jade Sea", a large jade carving left over from the Yuan Dynasty, 70 centimeters high and 493 centimeters in circumference, which can hold 30 shi of wine, with extremely high historical and artistic value.
Wulong Pavilion
Wulong Pavilion is located on the north bank of Beihai, built in the 30th year of Wanli reign of Ming (1602). It consists of five pavilions with glazed tile roofs, arranged in an S shape on the plane. The middle one is the main pavilion "Longze Pavilion", and the two sides are "Chengxiang Pavilion", "Zixiang Pavilion", "Yongduan Pavilion", and "Fucui Pavilion" respectively. The pavilions are connected by winding bridges, just like five giant dragons diving into the water. Wulong Pavilion was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties fished, enjoyed the moon, and watched dragon boat performances, and it is also one of the most characteristic architectural complexes in Beihai Park.
Nine-Dragon Wall
The Nine-Dragon Wall is located on the north bank of Beihai, built in the 21st year of Qianlong reign of Qing (1756). It is 5.96 meters high, 25.52 meters long, and 1.60 meters thick, and is the most exquisite one among the three existing Nine-Dragon Walls in China. The wall is made of 424 colored glazed bricks, with nine different giant dragons on both sides, shuttling through the sea of clouds. The dragon bodies are colorful and lifelike. The wall top is a glazed tile hip roof, and the wall base is a blue and white jade Xumizuo. The overall building is majestic and the craftsmanship is exquisite.
Jingxin Studio
Jingxin Studio is located on the north bank of Beihai. It is a garden within a garden with the style of southern Jiangnan gardens, covering an area of 4,700 square meters. It was built in the 22nd year of Qianlong reign of Qing (1757), originally named "Jingqing Studio", and was renamed "Jingxin Studio" after renovation in the 11th year of Guangxu reign (1885). The main buildings in the garden include Jingxin Studio, Yunqin Studio, Baosu Study, and Zhenluan Pavilion, with exquisite layout, mutual reflection of mountains and waters, and staggered pavilions, terraces and towers. It is the most characteristic quiet place in Beihai Park.
Food
Fangshan Restaurant
Located on the north bank of Beihai Park, it is a time-honored restaurant operating imperial cuisine, founded in 1925. The signature dishes include "Manchu-Han Banquet", "Braised Shark's Fin", "Scallion-Fried Sea Cucumber", etc., among which imperial dim sum such as "Pea Jelly", "Kidney Bean Roll", and "Small Steamed Bun" are particularly famous, with an average consumption of 150-200 yuan per person.
Kaorou Ji
Close to the north gate of Beihai Park, it is a famous halal barbecue restaurant in Beijing, founded in the 28th year of Daoguang reign of Qing (1848). The restaurant is famous for "barbecue", selecting high-quality mutton, cutting it into thin slices, and grilling it with a special grill. The meat is fresh and tender, and the aroma is tangy, with an average consumption of 80-100 yuan per person.
Huguo Temple Snacks
About 500 meters from the east gate of Beihai Park, it is a gathering place for famous old Beijing snacks, with hundreds of traditional snacks such as pea jelly, glutinous rice rolls with bean paste, Aiwowo, and Douzhi, with affordable prices and an average consumption of 20-30 yuan per person.
Qingfeng Baozi Shop
There are many branches around Beihai Park, with "Pork and Scallion Baozi" and "Three Delicacies Vegetarian Baozi" as the signature. The baozi have thin skins and large fillings, with rich soup, and the average consumption is 15-20 yuan per person, which is a good choice for quick meals.
Tickets
The ticket price is 10 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京市北海公园" in WeChat to get the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Peak season (April 1 - October 31): 6:30 - 21:00 (admission stops at 20:30); off-season (November 1 - March 31 of the following year): 6:30 - 20:00 (admission stops at 19:30). Attractions such as Qionghua Island and Tuancheng are open from 8:30 to 16:30 and are closed on Mondays (except legal holidays).
Tour Routes
Classic Royal Garden Route (3 hours): Enter from the south gate → Tuancheng → Qionghua Island (Yong'an Temple, White Pagoda, Yuegu Tower) → Take a boat to the north bank → Wulong Pavilion → Nine-Dragon Wall → Jingxin Studio → Exit from the north gate.
Deep Cultural Exploration Route (5 hours): Enter from the east gate → Huafang Studio → Xiancan Altar → North Bank Scenic Area (Wulong Pavilion, Nine-Dragon Wall, Jingxin Studio, Chanfu Temple) → Take a boat to Qionghua Island (visit Yong'an Temple, White Pagoda, Yuegu Tower in detail) → Tuancheng → Exit from the south gate, and you can additionally visit the cultural relic exhibitions in the park.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Line 6 to Beihai North Station, exit B, and walk about 10 minutes to the north gate; take Line 1 to Nanlishilu Station, exit E, and walk about 15 minutes to the west gate.
- Bus: South gate: Take Bus No. 5 or 58 to Xibanciao Station; North gate: Take Bus No. 5, 60, 107, or 124 to Beihai North Station; East gate: Take Bus No. 58, 107, 111, or 124 to Di'anmen East Station; West gate: Take Bus No. 3, 13, 42, 107, 111, or 118 to Beihai Park West Gate Station.
- Self-driving: Parking spaces around the park are tight. It is recommended to park at the south gate parking lot of Beihai (10 yuan/hour) or the Donghua Gate parking lot on the east side (10 yuan/hour) and walk to the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- White Pagoda: 35.9 meters high, the landmark building of Beihai, a Tibetan-style Lamaist pagoda. Climbing to the top can overlook the whole park.
- Nine-Dragon Wall: 5.96 meters high, 25.52 meters long, made of 424 glazed bricks, with nine dragons on both sides, exquisite craftsmanship.
- Wulong Pavilion: Five pavilions arranged in an S shape, built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, an excellent location for viewing the lake and scenery.
- Tuancheng: An area of 4,500 square meters, with a 1.5-meter-high jade Buddha in Chengguang Hall and the Yuan Dynasty Dushan Grand Jade Sea.
Tour Tips
- Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the best visiting seasons, with blooming flowers or red leaves in the park, and pleasant scenery.
- If you want to avoid the crowd, it is recommended to enter the park before 7 am to take photos of the White Pagoda and the lake without people.
- Beihai is large in area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. There are battery cars (20 yuan/person) in the park for transportation.
- Boat tour is a good choice. The large boat is 40 yuan/person, and the small boat is 60 yuan/hour (limited to 4 people), which can go from Qionghua Island to the north bank.
- There are many rest areas and catering points in the park, but the prices are high. You can bring your own water and snacks.
Notes
- Swimming, fishing, and climbing ancient buildings are prohibited in the park, and violators will be punished.
- Attractions such as Qionghua Island and Tuancheng are closed on Mondays. Please pay attention to the opening hours when visiting.
- When the lake freezes in winter, it is forbidden to walk or play on the ice to avoid danger.
- Smoking is prohibited in some areas of the park. Please pay attention to the signs and maintain environmental cleanliness.
- There are many tourists during holidays and peak tourist seasons. It is recommended to plan the route in advance to avoid congestion.