Beihai Park

Introducing Beihai Park
Beihai Park is a scenic park located in the heart of Beijing. Beihai Park is one of the oldest and most well-preserved imperial gardens in China. Originally dating back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), Beihai Park, once an integral part of the Imperial City, opened to the public in 1925. Designed in the tradition of many Chinese imperial gardens, it meticulously recreates celebrated landscapes and architectural styles from across China, drawing particularly from the Jiangnan region around the Yangtze Delta. Echoes of Hangzhou and Yangzhou’s ornate pavilions and canals, Suzhou’s refined gardens, and the natural beauty of Lake Tai, including its distinctive porous stones, are woven throughout the park. 

Considered a masterpiece of Chinese gardening and landscaping, Beihai Park spans approximately 68 hectares (168 acres), with a lake occupying over half of its area. The harmonious blend of natural splendor and historical importance, rooted in its origins over a millennium ago, makes it a cherished retreat for locals and tourists alike, offering a tranquil escape and a window into China’s imperial heritage.

Beihai Park Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Běi Hǎi Gōng Yuán 北海公园
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Boating
• Opening Hours: 6:00 – 21:00 (Apr – Oct), 6:30 – 20:00 (Nov – Mar)
• Entrance Fee: CNY10 (Apr – Oct), CNY5 (Nov – Mar), CNY50 (Cruise Boat)
• Address: 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

What to Expect at Beihai Park
Beihai Park offers a captivating journey through diverse landscapes, encompassing the iconic Qionghua Island, the serene East Shore, the contemplative North Shore, and the uniquely circular Tuancheng Island. Qionghua Island, with the majestic White Dagoba at its heart, boasts a stunning collection of pavilions and halls. The East Shore, reminiscent of classical Chinese gardens with its winding paths and delicate bridges, invites leisurely strolls. The North Shore provides a tranquil space for reflection amidst lush greenery. Tuancheng Island, a perfect circle embraced by the lake’s waters, offers a distinct and intriguing perspective on the park’s beauty.

The White Dagoba
Rising 36 meters (118 ft) above its surroundings, the majestic White Dagoba stands as a testament to resilience and devotion. Built in 1651, this striking structure has weathered the storms of time, including significant earthquake damage in 1679 and 1730. Each challenge has been met with meticulous repairs and restorations, culminating in a major undertaking in 1964 that ensured its continued presence.

Before the dagoba, the elegant Hall of Good Cause, a later addition from 1751, welcomes visitors. Its unique architecture features a circular top gracefully balanced upon a square base, the roofs gleaming with the rich luster of copper gilt tiles. The exterior walls are a captivating display of artistry, adorned with 455 glazed tiles, each meticulously carved with intricate Buddhist statues. Four ornate copper screen doors guard the southern entrance, adding to the hall’s mystique.

The Statue of Immortal Holding a Dew-Collecting Dish
The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), inspired by Emperor Wu of Han, commissioned the imposing 6.6-meter (21.6 ft) bronze statue known as the “Bronze Immortal Holding a Dew-Collecting Dish.” Atop a stone base, a white marble column, intricately carved with entwined dragons, supports the bronze figure. The figure holds aloft a dish, echoing a legendary “Immortal’s Dew-Collecting Dish” which Emperor Wu (a powerful emperor of the Han Dynasty known for his vast military expansions) placed in his Jianzhang Palace, believing the dew it gathered conferred immortality when mixed with certain medicines. However, Qianlong’s statue was intended as an ornament, symbolizing enduring imperial power and lasting good fortune, rather than a literal pursuit of immortality.

“General in White Robe” Pine
This magnificent white-barked pine (Pinus bungeana), a treasured ornamental tree of North China, is said to have been planted during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). Its form is strikingly upright and unconstrained, exuding an aura of grandeur. The silvery-white trunk and vibrant green crown stand out beautifully against the backdrop of a blue sky, complementing the red walls and golden tiles of the surrounding buildings. It resembles a majestic general in white robes guarding the garden. Because of this resemblance, the Qing Emperor Qianlong bestowed upon it the title “General in White Robe.”

Huafang Pavilion
Built in 1757, the Huafang Pavilion resembles a grand boat moored by the water. It sits at the heart of this secluded oasis. Its central building, the “Spring Rain Bathes the Pond” hall, features a peaceful pool, creating a tranquil atmosphere. North of this hall is the main Huafang Pavilion itself, embraced by two distinct courtyards. To the east, the ancient locust tree pavilion offers a sense of timeless calm, while westward, the small exquisite pavilion charms with its delicate beauty. Vibrant vermillion corridors wrap around the pavilion, enhancing its secluded atmosphere and highlighting its intricate design. This special place was favored by emperors and empresses; Qianlong visited often, Guangxu even lived there for a time, and Cixi hosted banquets and enjoyed storytelling performances within its walls.

The Altar of the Goddess of the Silkworm
The Altar of the Goddess of the Silkworm, a sprawling 17,000-square-meter complex in the northeast corner of Beihai Park, is the most complete surviving imperial altar dedicated to the silkworm goddess in Beijing. One of the city’s nine ancient altars, its preservation underscores the vital role sericulture (silk farming) played in China, the birthplace of silk.

The Small Western Heaven Hall (Xiaoxitian)
The Small Western Heaven (Xiao Xi Tian), built in 1770, was commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor as a birthday gift and a place of prayer for his mother, the Empress Dowager Chongqing. Its main structure, the “Land of Ultimate Bliss,” covers an impressive 1,200 square meters and stands as the largest square pavilion-style palace in China. The hall’s four sides feature intricately carved lattice windows and wood panels. High within the hall hangs a golden plaque inscribed with the characters “极乐世界” (Land of Ultimate Bliss), written by the Qianlong Emperor himself. Surrounded by water and accessible by bridges, the hall is further adorned with four archways, one on each cardinal direction, and four smaller square pavilions at each corner. A crescent-shaped moat lies to the south, spanned by an ornately carved stone bridge. The entire complex exudes grandeur and magnificence.

Iron Dragon Screen
The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) screen, a reddish-brown volcanic breccia known as an “Iron Dragon Screen” for its metallic resemblance, possesses a subtle sheen. A meticulously rendered dragon, its scales individually discernible, dominates the central carving. Beside it, a lion crouches, mane flowing, poised to pounce. The stone’s stylized floral motifs enhance the screen’s dramatic presence, further amplified by the architectural detail of the tiled top edge.

The Nine Dragon Screen
The Nine Dragon Screen, a masterpiece of Chinese glazed tile artistry dating back to 1756, is a breathtaking sight. Standing an impressive 5.96 meters (19.5 ft) high and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) thick, the screen spans an impressive 25.52 meters (83.7 ft).
What makes this screen truly remarkable is the vibrant depiction of nine large dragons on both sides, a unique feature among surviving examples in China. Each dragon, individually posed, is dynamically interacting with swirling clouds, crashing waves, and giant pearls. The sheer scale of the screen combined with the exquisite detail of its craftsmanship makes the Nine Dragon Screen in Beihai Park a true treasure of ancient Chinese architecture.

Jade Urn Pavilion
The Jade Urn Pavilion houses a jade urn crafted in 1265. Oval-mouthed, it stands 70 centimeters tall with a circumference of 493 centimeters at its widest point and weighs approximately 3,500 kilograms. Its surface is adorned with vivid reliefs depicting sea dragons, seahorses, walruses frolicking in the waves.
Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty, once placed the urn within the Guanghan Palace on Qiong Hua Island, and legend has it that he used it to hold wine during grand feasts for his court. When the Guanghan Palace collapsed during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the urn was lost amongst the common people. Upon its rediscovery in 1745, the Qianlong Emperor commissioned the construction of the Jade Urn Pavilion to house it. He placed the urn on an ornately carved white marble pedestal and commanded scholars to compose poems, which were then inscribed upon the pavilion’s pillars.

How to Get to Beihai Park
• By Bus: Take bus 3, 4, 13, 42, 118, 612 to Beihaibeimen (Beihai Park North Gate) Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 6 to Beihaibei (Beihai Park North) Station.

Additional Travel Advice on Beihai Park
• The ticket office offers wheelchair rental service.
• Please protect the wild life and the domesticated animals in the park.