Beihai Park
Beihai Park, a 1,000-year-old imperial garden, is China’s oldest surviving landscape masterpiece. Originally built in the Liao Dynasty (10th century), it expanded under Kublai Khan’s Yuan Dynasty and became an emperor’s paradise of lotus lakes, Buddhist pagodas, and pavilions. Today, it blends natural beauty with historical grandeur, offering serene escapes and cultural treasures in Beijing’s heart.
Historical Overview
Construction began in 938 CE as a Liao Dynasty pleasure garden. Kublai Khan chose it as Yuan Dynasty’s centerpiece, renaming it “Beihai” (North Sea). Ming and Qing emperors added Tibetan-style pagodas and gardens, while Empress Dowager Cixi hosted lavish banquets here. After 1925, it opened as a public park, preserving its legacy as a living museum of imperial leisure and spirituality.
Structural Layout
The park centers on Beihai Lake, divided into three zones:
Circular City (Tuan Cheng): A fortified island with the White Dagoba.
Royal Garden: Lakeside pavilions, bridges, and the Nine-Dragon Wall.
North Shore: Temples, the Five-Dragon Pavilions, and the Former Imperial Garden.
Key structures include the White Dagoba (Tibetan Buddhist shrine), Jade Flower Island (Qionghua Dao), and the “Red Pavilion” (Xiexiu Pavilion).
Major Attractions
White Dagoba: A 37-meter Tibetan-style pagoda (1651) on Qionghua Island, symbolizing Sino-Tibetan unity.
Nine-Dragon Wall: A 25-meter glazed-tile mural (1756) depicting nine dragons in mid-flight.
Five-Dragon Pavilions: Five Ming-era pavilions connected by zigzag bridges over the lake.
Circular City: Yuan Dynasty ruins with the White Dagoba as its focal point.
Temple of Everlasting Peace (Yong’an Temple): A Qing-era Buddhist sanctuary with a 1,500-year-old Bodhi tree.
Boat Rentals: Row or paddle across the lake for panoramic views of pagodas and willows.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Route (1–2 hours):
Enter via South Gate → Nine-Dragon Wall → White Dagoba → Five-Dragon Pavilions → Exit at North Gate.
- Cultural Route (3 hours):
Add Circular City, Temple of Everlasting Peace, and the Former Imperial Garden.
- Leisure Route (Half-Day):
Include boat rides, tea at Xiexiu Pavilion, and a stroll through the bamboo groves.
Ticket Purchase
Online: Book via “Beihai Park” WeChat mini-program (up to 7 days in advance).
On-Site: Tickets available at all gates; limited queues.
- Prices:
Peak Season (Apr–Oct): ¥10 (adults), ¥5 (students/seniors).
Off-Season (Nov–Mar): ¥5 (adults), ¥2.50 (students/seniors).
Free: Children under 1.2m, disabled visitors.
Transportation
Subway: Line 6 to Beihai North Station (Exit D), 5-minute walk to North Gate.
Bus: Routes 3, 13, 42, 107, 111, 118, or 701 to Beihai North Gate Stop.
Taxi: Direct to South Gate (most scenic entrance) or North Gate.
Best Time & Tips
Crowds: Avoid weekends; visit early (6:30 AM opening) or late (before 8 PM closure).
Weather: Spring (Apr–May) for cherry blossoms; autumn (Sep–Oct) for crisp air.
Essentials: Wear comfy shoes (8,000+ steps); bring water (limited vendors).
Prohibited: Drones, loudspeakers, and climbing historic structures.
