Trip Overview
When: July 2022 (summer season)
Duration: 4 days
Travelers: Solo traveler
Budget: ~1,600 RMB (~$240 USD)
Transportation: Public transit within Beijing
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Beihai Park is located in the heart of Beijing, just west of Jingshan Park and north of the Forbidden City. Take Metro Line 6 to Dongsi Station or Line 8 to Nanluoguxiang Station, then walk about 10 minutes. The park is also easily reachable by taxi—show the driver "北海公园" (Běihǎi Gōngyuán).
Money Matters: Most attractions within the park accept mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay). Bring some cash for smaller vendors and entrance tickets if you prefer.
Language: English signage is limited. Download an offline Chinese translator or have key locations written in Chinese characters ready to show.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (7-9 AM) for fewer crowds, or late afternoon for beautiful sunset views over the lake with the White Pagoda silhouetted against the sky.
Beihai Park Overview
Beihai Park (北海公园, Běihǎi Gōngyuán) is one of China's oldest and most magnificent imperial gardens, dating back over 1,000 years to the Liao Dynasty. As the saying goes, "Private gardens in Suzhou, imperial gardens in Beijing"—and Beihai is the crown jewel of Beijing's royal园林 (yuánlín - gardens).
The park covers about 71 hectares, with the lake (583 mu) taking up most of the space. The remaining 480 mu is land, filled with pavilions, temples, and ancient trees. At the heart of it all sits Qiongdao Island (琼华岛), crowned by the iconic White Pagoda—a Tibetan-style chorten that has become Beijing's most recognizable landmark.
Beihai means "North Sea," part of a trio of imperial lakes (Beihai, Zhonghai, and Nanhai) that together form the "Three Seas"—the heart of Beijing's imperial landscape.
Exploring Qiongdao Island
The island is dominated by the White Pagoda (白塔, Bái Tǎ), a 30-meter tall Tibetan Buddhist stupa built in 1651 during the Qing Dynasty. From wherever you view it across the lake, the white pagoda looks like an elegant white jade vase or a fairy in white gauze floating among the greenery—a perfect photo op.
Zhuzhu Dian (智珠殿) and Half-Moon City
At the eastern foot of Qiongdao Island sits Zhuzhu Dian (智珠殿, Zhìzhū Diàn)—the Temple of Wisdom Pearl—built in 1751 during Qianlong Emperor's reign. This impressive structure features red walls, green tiles, and five ornate gatehouses arranged symmetrically, a rare architectural design in Chinese gardening.
Qiongdao Chun Yin Monument
The "Qiongdao Chun Yin" (琼岛春阴) monument is one of the famous "Eight Views of Yanjing" (燕京八景)—the Eight Great Sights of Beijing. Erected by Emperor Qianlong in 1751, the monument features his calligraphy on the front and poems on the other three sides.
Following the path beside this monument leads to the winding "Jianchun Pavilion" (见春亭) and "Kan Hua Gallery" (看画廊)—perfect spots for quiet reflection amid ancient trees.
Yong'an Bridge (永安桥)
Built in the 13th century, Yong'an Bridge (永安桥, Yǒng'ān Qiáo) connects Tuancheng (团城) Island with Qiongdao Island. This elegant white marble bridge is flanked by two ornate paifang (archways)—"Dui Yun" (堆云, Pile of Clouds) on the north and "Ji Cui" (积翠, Accumulated Emerald) on the south—giving it the full name "Dui Yun Ji Cui Bridge."
Walking through Beihai Park, immersing myself in the imperial gardens with their lakes and mountains, I couldn't help but appreciate the厚重 (hòuzhòng - profound) history and unique garden art of this royal retreat.
Autumn in Beijing
Autumn in Beijing brings refreshing breezes, clear blue skies, and pleasant temperatures—everywhere you look, scenery so beautiful it could make you drunk on the views alone.
The White Pagoda: Park Icon
The most striking feature of Beihai Park is undoubtedly the White Pagoda (白塔) standing proudly on Qiongdao Island. It's the park's signature attraction—visible from almost anywhere along the lakeshore. Whether you view it from afar or approach its base, the pagoda resembles a massive white jade vase or a fairy draped in white silk, welcoming visitors from all directions.
Mandarin Ducks at the Lake
Mandarin ducks (鸳鸯, Yuānyāng) are frequently seen in pairs, swimming contentedly on the lake. These beautiful birds are symbols of devoted love in Chinese culture—believed to mate for life, with the surviving partner remaining faithful even after death.
Jingxin Zhai (静心斋) - The Hidden Gem
Jingxin Zhai (静心斋, Jìngxīn Zhāi), originally called "Jingqing Zhai" (Mirror Clear Studio), is the most exquisite "garden within a garden" in Beihai Park. Covering about 8,700 square meters, it was built in 1757 during the Qing Dynasty as part of the "Western Heavenly Buddhist Realm" expansion.
Key buildings include: Jingqing Zhai (Mirror Clear Studio), Baosu Book House (抱素书屋), Yunqin Zhai (韵琴斋), Bixian Pavilion (碧鲜亭), Beicha Wu (Roasting Tea Hut), Yanhua Xuan (Painting Gallery), Qingquan Corridor (沁泉廊), Zhuanluan Pavilion (枕峦亭), and stone bridges. The eastern side borders hills, the western side the temple, and the southern side faces the lake—combining the grandeur of northern Chinese gardens with the delicate charm of southern gardens.
Foreigner tip: This is one of Beijing's best-kept secrets—most tourists miss it entirely, making it a peaceful retreat.
Zhuanluan Pavilion (枕峦亭)
In the western courtyard, a small pond is surrounded by stacked rocks. To the north, a corridor separates a hexagonal pavilion, and against the backdrop of massive Taihu stones (太湖石), the delicate "Zhuanluan Pavilion" (枕峦亭) appears like a lotus flower rising from a pearl—praised by Emperor Qianlong as "Lotus Rising from a Pearl Palace."
Xitian Fanjing (西天梵境) - Western Heavenly Buddhist Realm
Originally the Western Buddhist Temple (西天禅林) from the Ming Dynasty, the front of this complex features a four-pillar, seven-story glass archway with inscriptions by Emperor Qianlong—"华藏界" (Huázàng Jiè - Realm of Buddhist Treasure) on the front and "须弥春" (Xūmí Chūn - Spring of Sumeru) on the back.
The Nine-Dragon Wall (九龙壁)
The Nine-Dragon Wall (九龙壁, Jiǔlóng Bì) was originally the screen wall in front of the Daxiongjin Zhi Bao Hall. Built in 1756 during Qianlong's reign, it stands 5.96 meters high, 1.60 meters thick, and 25.52 meters long. Both sides are decorated with colorful glazed tiles featuring nine giant dragons (大蟠龙) playing with pearls amid clouds and waves. There are 635 dragons of various sizes on the wall.
Pro hack: Of China's three existing Nine-Dragon Walls, this is the ONLY double-sided wall—a unique architectural treasure you won't find anywhere else.
Kuixue Tang Calligraphy Museum (快雪堂书法博物馆)
Built in 1775 during Qianlong's reign, the Kuixue Tang (快雪堂, Fast Snow Hall) houses famous calligraphy from the Jin through Yuan dynasties. The most celebrated piece is Wang Xizhi's "Kuai Xue Shi Qing Tie" (Quick Response to Clear Weather) alongside Qianlong's own "Kuixue Tang Ji" (Record of Fast Snow Hall).
Iron Screen (铁影壁)
This Yuan Dynasty artifact is made from neutral volcanic rock—its color and texture resemble iron, hence the name. Standing 1.89 meters high and 3.56 meters long, it features shallow carvings of clouds and mythical creatures. Originally a screen wall in front of a temple outside Jiandemen (now Desheng Gate), it was moved to its current location in 1947. In 1987, the original base was recovered from Iron Screen Lane, completing this 600-year-old relic.
Reality check: Old Beijing had five ancient landmarks—Gold Gate墩 (Jinmen Dun) at Tiananmen, Silver Gate闸 (Yin Zha) at East Gate, Copper Well (Tong Jing) at Tongjing Hutong, Iron Screen (Tie Ying Bi), and Tin Hall (Xi Dian) at the northern shore of Taiye Pool. Only this Iron Screen remains today.
Five-Dragon Pavilion (五龙亭)
Built in 1602 during the Ming Dynasty, Five-Dragon Pavilion (五龙亭, Wǔlóng Tíng) originally served as a spot for emperors and officials to fish and enjoy the full moon. The central pavilion is Longze Ting (Dragon Lake Pavilion), flanked by two pavilions on each side—Yongrui Ting and Fucui Ting on the left, Chengxiang Ting and Zixiang Ting on the right.
Today, Five-Dragon Pavilion is a popular spot for photographers and visitors to admire the White Pagoda and the beautiful lake scenery. The red columns, green tiles, yellow eaves, and white marble railings showcase the grandeur of imperial architecture.
Little Western Heaven (小西天)
Little Western Heaven (小西天, Xiǎo Xītiān) was built between 1768-1770 by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's 80th birthday. The main structure, the Ultimate Bliss World (极乐世界, Jílè Shìjiè), covers 1,200 square meters with a 13.5-meter beam span—China's largest square pavilion-style palace.