Beihai Park

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Spot Introduction

Established during the Liao Dynasty, Beihai Park is one of the oldest existing royal gardens in China and the most intact royal garden in Beijing. Centered around Beihai Lake, the park features a towering White Dagoba and is dotted with pavilions, making it a royal garden that embodies the essence of Chinese garden art.

The history of Beihai Park can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty, undergoing continuous expansion and improvement throughout the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, evolving into the grand royal garden it is today. Covering an area of approximately 69 hectares, with water covering 39 hectares, it is an exemplar of the “One Pond, Three Mountains” landscape design in Chinese classical gardens. The rigorous architectural layout within the park exudes both the grandeur of a royal garden and the delicacy of a Jiangnan garden.

As a representative work of Chinese royal gardens, Beihai Park is not only a scenic spot but also a living history museum. The park preserves numerous precious cultural relics and historic sites, such as the White Dagoba from the Yuan Dynasty and the Nine Dragon Wall from the Qing Dynasty, each carrying profound historical and cultural connotations. In particular, the White Dagoba, as one of Beijing’s iconic structures, serves not only as an important building in Tibetan Buddhism but also as a vital component of Beijing’s city skyline.

Visiting Beihai Park allows tourists to experience the unique charm of a royal garden. In spring, visitors can admire the blooming flowers; in summer, they can enjoy lotus viewing while boating on the lake; in autumn, they can ascend to a high vantage point and gaze afar; and in winter, they can participate in ice activities. The park also offers a night tour, enabling visitors to appreciate the distinct beauty of the royal garden illuminated by lights.

景点介绍

To better serve visitors, the park is equipped with a multi-language guidance system and regularly hosts traditional cultural activities, such as the Royal Garden Culture Exhibition and traditional opera performances, allowing visitors to deeply understand Chinese royal garden culture.

In recent years, Beihai Park has made significant contributions to cultural relic protection and inheritance. Through digital technology, many precious relics have been better protected and displayed. Simultaneously, the park has launched the “Digital Beihai” project, which utilizes virtual reality technology to enable visitors to appreciate cultural relics in 360 degrees, and even “enter” some areas that are not open to the public. These innovative measures not only protect cultural relics but also allow more people to experience the charm of Chinese royal garden culture closely.

必游景点

Must-Visit Attractions

  1. White Pagoda
  • Tibetan Buddhist architecture
  • The highest point of Qionghua Island
  • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes
  1. Nine Dragon Wall
  • Qing Dynasty glazed mural
  • An exquisite artwork of dragon patterns
  • Suggested visiting time: 20 minutes
  1. Five Dragon Pavilion
  • A pavilion in the center of the lake
  • The best spot for viewing
  • Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes
  1. Meditation Studio
  • A royal garden
  • Ancient building complex
  • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes

参观建议

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route
  • North Gate → Nine Dragon Wall → White Pagoda → Five Dragon Pavilion → Meditation Studio
  • Suggested to tour clockwise
  1. Visiting Schedule
  • Best time to view lotuses in the morning
  • Enjoy the sunset in the evening
  • Weekend opera performances are available
  1. Practical Tips
  • You can take a boat tour
  • Bring a camera for photos
  • Prepare sunscreen products

交通指南

Transportation Guide

  • Subway: Beihai North Station of Line 6
  • Bus: Multiple lines including 5, 107, 111, 609
  • Self-drive: Suggested to park at Beihai Park’s parking lot
  • Boat: Boat services are available in the park

周边美食推荐

Surrounding Food Recommendations

  1. Shichahai Snacks
  2. Beihai Roast Duck
  3. Traditional Pastries
  4. Old Beijing Snacks

特别提醒

Special Reminders

  1. Separate tickets are required for the White Pagoda
  2. Boat tours require separate tickets
  3. There are more visitors during holidays
  4. Bring sunshade and sunscreen
  5. Pay attention to environmental protection
  6. Suggested to visit during off-peak hours
  7. Boats are available for rent
  8. Suitable for photographic creation.