Beihai Park

Beihai Park: Beijing's Imperial Garden Masterpiece with a Thousand Years of History

In the heart of Beijing, just northwest of the Forbidden City, lies a place that has served as a royal retreat for nearly a thousand years. Beihai Park — literally "North Sea Park" — is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved imperial gardens in China. Covering 69 hectares, with a shimmering lake occupying more than half its area, Beihai is a living encyclopedia of Chinese garden design spanning the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Its signature landmark, the gleaming White Dagoba perched atop Jade Flower Island at the center of the lake, has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the Beijing skyline. For foreign visitors seeking a serene escape from the intensity of Beijing's major tourist sites, Beihai Park offers a uniquely peaceful, beautiful, and historically rich experience.

The history of this site stretches back to the 10th century, when the Liao Dynasty established an imperial detached palace here. The Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) significantly expanded the grounds, creating the artificial lake by excavating earth and using it to build Jade Flower Island (Qionghua Island). The legendary Kublai Khan of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty made this park the center of his capital city, Dadu, ruling his vast empire from these shores. When the Ming and Qing dynasties rebuilt Beijing around the Forbidden City, Beihai became the emperor's private garden — a place of relaxation, religious contemplation, and aesthetic pleasure adjacent to the palace. Remarkably, through all these dynastic changes, invasions, and revolutions, Beihai Park has survived substantially intact, making it one of the most historically layered sites in all of China.

Why You Should Visit Beihai Park

Beijing can be overwhelming. The Great Wall demands physical endurance, the Forbidden City requires mental stamina to process its vastness, and the city's traffic and crowds test anyone's patience. Beihai Park is the antidote. Here, you can slow down, breathe, and experience the side of imperial China that valued harmony, beauty, and contemplative pleasure. The park was literally designed across a millennium by the finest landscape architects in Chinese history to create an idealized environment — and it succeeds magnificently.

The park also offers remarkable variety within its walls. In a single visit, you can climb an island hill to a Tibetan-style white dagoba, cruise the lake in a traditional dragon boat, walk through one of China's most famous covered corridors, pray at a 400-year-old Buddhist temple, view a wall of nine intricately glazed ceramic dragons, and sit in a lakeside pavilion watching lotus flowers bloom. This density of experiences, combined with the park's central location and easy subway access, makes Beihai one of the best-value attractions in Beijing.

Unlike the Forbidden City, which is a museum that closes at the end of the day, Beihai Park is a living public space. Local Beijingers come here daily to practice tai chi on the waterfront, sing traditional opera in the pavilions, play cards under the ancient trees, and paddle boats on the lake. Visiting Beihai gives you a window into everyday Beijing life that the major tourist sites cannot provide.

What to See: Top Highlights of Beihai Park

The White Dagoba (Bai Ta)

The White Dagoba is the defining symbol of Beihai Park and one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks. Built in 1651 during the Qing Dynasty to honor the visit of the Fifth Dalai Lama, this 35.9-meter-tall Tibetan-style stupa sits atop Jade Flower Island at the exact center of the park. The dagoba was modeled after the great Buddhist stupas of Nepal and Tibet and is constructed of brick, stone, and lime, painted brilliant white and topped with a gilded canopy and finial. To reach it, you climb a winding stone path up the island's south face, passing through the Yong'an Temple complex. The panoramic view from the dagoba terrace is outstanding: looking south, you see the golden rooftops of the Forbidden City; looking east, the modern skyline of Beijing; looking north, the expansive lake with the Five Dragon Pavilions. On a clear day, this is one of the finest viewpoints in the entire city.

Jade Flower Island (Qionghua Island)

This artificial island is the historical heart of Beihai Park and was the site where Kublai Khan built his imperial palace. While the Mongol-era structures are long gone, the island is densely packed with attractions. The southern slope features the Yong'an Temple complex, a series of Buddhist halls ascending toward the White Dagoba. The northern face has rockeries, grottoes, and the famous Yilan Hall, a lakeside building where the Qianlong Emperor once composed poetry. The island's shores are lined with ancient willows and offer peaceful walking paths with constant lake views. Allow at least 45 minutes to explore the island thoroughly.

The Nine-Dragon Wall (Jiulong Bi)

Located on the park's north shore, the Nine-Dragon Wall is one of only three such walls surviving in China (the others are in the Forbidden City and Datong). Built in 1756 during the Qianlong reign, this 25.86-meter-long, 6.65-meter-tall glazed ceramic screen depicts nine writhing dragons playing with pearls amid clouds and waves. Each dragon is rendered in vivid colored glazes — yellow, blue, white, purple, and green — against a deep blue background. The detail is extraordinary: look closely and you will find 635 individual dragon figures of various sizes across both sides of the wall. The wall was designed as a spirit screen to block evil influences from entering the temple complex behind it. It is one of the finest examples of Chinese ceramic art in existence.

The Five Dragon Pavilions (Wulong Ting)

On the northwest shore of the lake, five interconnected pavilions extend out over the water in a zigzag pattern said to resemble a dragon's undulating spine. Built in 1602 during the Ming Dynasty and later expanded by the Qing emperors, these pavilions were used for fishing, enjoying moon views, and watching dragon boat races. The central pavilion is the largest and was reserved for the emperor. Today, the pavilions provide a wonderful spot for watching the lake activity and photographing the White Dagoba across the water. In lotus season (July-August), the view from here across a sea of pink blossoms to the white dagoba is unforgettable.

The Circular City (Tuancheng)

Often overlooked by visitors, the Circular City is a small fortified compound just south of the main park entrance. It sits on an elevated terrace surrounded by a round wall and contains an ancient jade Buddha given to the Qianlong Emperor by a Burmese king, a massive jade wine vessel from the Yuan Dynasty that was used by Kublai Khan himself, and several ancient pine and cypress trees over 800 years old. The Circular City is like a miniature world of its own, packed with historical treasures. Admission to the Circular City requires a separate ticket (1 CNY) from the main park entrance.

The Painted Boat Lake Cruise

The lake is the soul of Beihai Park, and experiencing it from the water adds an entirely different dimension to your visit. Pedal boats, electric boats, and traditional-style dragon boats can be rented from docks on both the east and north shores. A leisurely circuit of the lake takes about 30-40 minutes and provides constantly changing views of the White Dagoba, the pavilions, the ancient trees lining the shores, and the distant rooftops of the Forbidden City. Boat rental costs approximately 60-100 CNY per hour depending on the type of boat. The lake boats operate from approximately April through October (weather dependent).

The Long Corridor and North Shore

Along the north shore of the lake runs a painted corridor reminiscent of (though smaller than) the famous one at the Summer Palace. The corridor's beams are decorated with painted scenes from Chinese mythology, history, and literature. Walking this corridor in any weather is a pleasure — it provides shade in summer and shelter from rain. The north shore also features the Chanfu Temple, the Xiaoxitian (Small Western Heaven) complex with its remarkable square-plan Buddhist hall, and extensive garden areas with rockeries, ponds, and ancient trees.

Haopu Creek Garden

Hidden in the eastern section of the park, this intimate garden-within-a-garden is a masterpiece of Qing-era landscape design. Modeled after the famous gardens of Suzhou in southern China, Haopu Creek Garden features winding corridors, moon gates, miniature bridges, bamboo groves, and delicately arranged rockeries. It is easy to miss but highly rewarding for those who seek it out. The name comes from a famous philosophical debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi about whether fish are happy — a typically Chinese touch of literary playfulness embedded in garden design.

Suggested Walking Route with Time Estimates

• Start: South Gate (Nan Men) entrance (5 minutes) — Enter through the main south gate on Wenjin Street, directly across from the Forbidden City's northwest corner.
• Circular City (20 minutes) — Visit this often-missed treasure immediately inside the south gate. See the jade Buddha, Kublai Khan's wine vessel, and the ancient trees. Separate ticket: 1 CNY.
• Cross the bridge to Jade Flower Island (5 minutes) — The stone bridge connecting the south shore to the island offers beautiful views in both directions.
• Yong'an Temple complex ascending to the White Dagoba (30-40 minutes) — Climb through the temple halls, each containing Buddhist statues and artwork, to the summit. Enjoy the panoramic view from the dagoba terrace. The climb involves moderate stone steps and is manageable for most fitness levels.
• Descend the north side of the island (15 minutes) — The north slope features rockeries, hidden caves, and the Yilan Hall. The shaded paths on this side are particularly pleasant in summer.
• Ferry or walk to the north shore (10-15 minutes) — Take the ferry from the island's north dock to the north shore (5 CNY), or walk back to the south and around the east shore.
• Nine-Dragon Wall (15 minutes) — Admire this masterpiece of glazed ceramic art. Study the details on both sides — visitors often miss the equally detailed reverse face.
• Five Dragon Pavilions (15-20 minutes) — Walk along the northwest shore to the interconnected pavilions. Sit and enjoy the lake view with the White Dagoba rising across the water.
• North shore corridor and Xiaoxitian (20-30 minutes) — Walk the painted corridor and visit the Small Western Heaven Buddhist hall with its unique square architectural plan.
• Haopu Creek Garden (20 minutes) — Detour to the east side to find this hidden garden gem.
• Lake boat ride (30-40 minutes) — Rent a boat from the east shore dock and cruise the lake. Best in late afternoon when the light on the water is golden.
• Exit via East Gate or return to South Gate (10 minutes)

Total estimated time: 3 to 4 hours for a comprehensive visit. A focused visit covering the island, dagoba, and Nine-Dragon Wall can be done in about 1.5-2 hours. If you want to include a lake boat ride and thorough exploration of the north shore gardens, plan for 4 hours.

Practical Information for Foreign Tourists

Tickets and Prices

• Park entrance (peak season, April-October): 10 CNY (approximately 1.40 USD)
• Park entrance (off season, November-March): 5 CNY (approximately 0.70 USD)
• Combined ticket (park + Jade Flower Island + Dagoba): 20 CNY peak / 15 CNY off season
• Circular City: 1 CNY (separate ticket at the entrance)
• Boat rental: 60-100 CNY per hour depending on boat type (cash deposit required)

The combined ticket is recommended as it provides access to the main attractions. Tickets are purchased at the gate. Online booking is available through the official WeChat mini-program "Beihai Park" but on-site purchase is straightforward.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

• Park gates (April-October): 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM)
• Park gates (November-March): 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
• Indoor attractions (halls, temples): 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (vary slightly by season)
• Boat rental season: Approximately April to October, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Best time to visit: Late afternoon (3:00-6:00 PM) is magical at Beihai, when the golden light reflects off the lake and the White Dagoba glows against the sky. For lotus viewing, come in July or August when the lake is carpeted with pink and white blooms. Autumn (October-November) brings beautiful foliage. Early mornings (6:00-8:00 AM) are wonderful for seeing local residents practicing tai chi and morning exercises. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.

How to Get There

• Subway: Take Line 6 to Beihai North Station (北海北站), Exit B, and walk 5 minutes south to the North Gate. Alternatively, take Line 6 to Nanluoguxiang Station and walk 15 minutes west to the East Gate.
• For the South Gate: Take Line 1 to Tiananmen West Station (天安门西站) and walk north approximately 15 minutes through the area west of the Forbidden City to Wenjin Street.
• Bus: Bus routes 5, 101, 103, 109, and 124 stop near the park's various gates.
• Taxi: Tell the driver "Beihai Gongyuan" (北海公园) and specify which gate: "Nan Men" (south), "Bei Men" (north), or "Dong Men" (east). From Wangfujing, the ride is about 15 minutes and costs 20-30 CNY.
• Walking from the Forbidden City: If you are visiting the Forbidden City first, exit through the north gate (Gate of Divine Prowess / Shenwumen), cross the street, walk west along the moat for about 10 minutes, and you will reach Beihai Park's south entrance. This makes for an excellent combined itinerary.

Passport and Foreigner Policies

Passport or valid ID is required for ticket purchase. There are no special restrictions for foreign visitors. The park is fully accessible to tourists of all nationalities. Most outdoor areas are wheelchair-accessible, though some temple buildings and the climb to the White Dagoba involve stairs. Electric sightseeing carts are available within the park for those with mobility limitations (approximately 10 CNY per route).

Payment Methods for Foreigners

• Ticket offices: Cash (CNY) and mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay). International credit cards are generally not accepted at the gate.
• Boat rental: Cash deposit typically required (200 CNY deposit, refunded on return). Some docks now accept mobile payment deposits.
• Park shops and snack vendors: Cash and mobile payment.
• Recommendation: Bring at least 100-150 CNY in cash for tickets, boat rental, and snacks.

English Signage and Audio Guides

English signage at Beihai Park is moderate. The main directional signs and attraction names are bilingual. Historical information plaques at major sites include English text, though translations vary in quality. An audio guide is available at the South Gate and North Gate for 20 CNY (with passport deposit). The audio guide covers the major attractions and provides useful historical context in English. Without either the audio guide or a guidebook, the historical significance of many features may be unclear. For the richest experience, either rent the audio guide or read about the park's history before visiting.

Tips and Warnings

• Combine with the Forbidden City: Beihai Park's south gate is a 10-minute walk from the Forbidden City's north exit. This makes for a natural combined itinerary: spend the morning in the Forbidden City, exit north, walk to Beihai for an afternoon of gardens and lake views. Jingshan Park (see separate guide) is also directly across from the Forbidden City's north gate, so you can do all three in one epic day.
• Lotus season is spectacular: If you visit Beijing in July or August, the lotus flowers on Beihai Lake are a must-see natural spectacle. The best viewing is from the east shore and from the boats on the lake. Arrive early in the morning when lotus flowers are most fully open.
• Avoid the lake ice in winter: In winter, the lake freezes and locals sometimes walk or skate on the ice. Unless officially opened for ice activities with proper safety measures, do not venture onto the ice surface.
• Protect against sun and heat: Despite the many trees, significant portions of the park (especially the dagoba climb and the bridge crossings) are exposed. In summer, bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.
• The park has multiple gates: Beihai has south, north, and east gates. Plan your exit based on your next destination. The north gate is closest to the subway (Beihai North Station). The south gate is closest to the Forbidden City area.
• Early morning cultural experience: If you enter when the park opens (6:00-6:30 AM), you will witness one of the most authentic local scenes in Beijing: groups of elderly residents practicing tai chi, couples dancing, individuals practicing Chinese calligraphy with water on stone, and opera singing groups performing traditional arias. This is genuine Beijing life, not a performance for tourists.
• Respect religious spaces: Several buildings within the park are active Buddhist worship sites. Behave respectfully in temple areas — lower your voice, do not touch religious objects, and ask before photographing worshippers.

Nearby Food and Attractions

Food near Beihai Park:

• Fangshan Restaurant (仿膳饭庄): Located inside Beihai Park on the north shore, this famous restaurant serves imperial-style cuisine based on recipes from the Qing Dynasty palace kitchens. It is a unique dining experience, though pricey (150-300 CNY per person for a full meal). Reservations recommended.
• Houhai area (后海): The Houhai lakeside bar and restaurant area is immediately adjacent to Beihai Park's north gate. Dozens of restaurants, bars, and cafes line the lake. Options range from Sichuan hotpot to Western-style dining. Prices vary widely (50-200 CNY per person). The lakeshore walk from Beihai to Houhai is lovely, especially at sunset.
• Meizhou Dongpo (梅州东坡): A reliable Sichuan-style restaurant chain with a branch near the park. Good quality food at moderate prices (60-100 CNY per person).
• Local hutong restaurants: The hutong neighborhoods east and north of the park have small family-run restaurants serving authentic Beijing cuisine — dumplings (jiaozi), noodles (mian), and Beijing-style snacks. Meals cost 25-50 CNY per person.

Nearby attractions:

• Jingshan Park: Directly east of Beihai, Jingshan offers the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City from its hilltop pavilion. A 5-minute walk from Beihai's east gate. See our separate guide.
• The Forbidden City: A 10-minute walk south from Beihai's south gate brings you to the Forbidden City's northwest corner. The palace museum requires a separate half-day to visit properly.
• Houhai and Shichahai area: The lake and hutong area north of Beihai is perfect for evening strolling, bar-hopping, and people-watching. In winter, the lake is opened for public ice skating.
• Prince Gong's Mansion (恭王府): About 15 minutes' walk northwest of Beihai, this is the largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty prince's mansion in Beijing. Admission 40 CNY.
• National Centre for the Performing Arts: About 20 minutes south by taxi, this titanium-and-glass dome designed by Paul Andreu is a stunning piece of modern architecture set in an artificial lake.

Best Photography Spots

• White Dagoba from the Five Dragon Pavilions: This is the classic Beihai photograph. The white dagoba rises above the island against the sky, with the lake in the foreground and pavilion columns framing the shot. Best in late afternoon light (4:00-5:30 PM). A telephoto lens compresses the scene beautifully.
• The stone bridge to Jade Flower Island: The arched bridge with the dagoba visible above the island trees creates a perfectly composed leading-line photograph. Shoot from the south shore looking north.
• Lotus flowers on the lake (July-August): A sea of pink lotus blooms with the White Dagoba in the background is one of Beijing's most photographed seasonal scenes. Best captured from the east shore or from a boat. Early morning light (7:00-9:00 AM) is ideal when the flowers are fully open.
• Nine-Dragon Wall detail: The vivid ceramic glazes of the Nine-Dragon Wall photograph brilliantly, especially on overcast days when the colors are saturated without harsh shadows. Fill the frame with individual dragon details for dramatic close-up shots.
• Dagoba terrace panorama: From the terrace surrounding the White Dagoba, you have a 360-degree panorama. The best photographic direction is south toward the golden Forbidden City rooftops. Sunrise and late afternoon provide the best light.
• Sunset over the lake: The western side of the lake provides excellent sunset views, with the sun dropping behind the park's trees and reflecting off the water. The Five Dragon Pavilions silhouetted against a sunset sky is a stunning composition.
• Haopu Creek Garden: The intimate scale and carefully composed rockeries of this garden provide wonderful opportunities for detail photography — moon gates, bamboo shadows on whitewashed walls, reflections in small pools.
• Winter frozen lake: In winter, the frozen lake with the White Dagoba reflected in the ice surface creates a stark, beautiful monochrome scene. Clear winter days with blue skies offer excellent visibility.

Beihai Park is one of those rare places where nearly a thousand years of continuous history can be felt in the landscape, the architecture, and the very atmosphere of the garden. Kublai Khan watched the same lake that you will cross by boat. The Qianlong Emperor gazed at the same White Dagoba that will greet your eyes as you enter. The garden has outlasted empires, and it will outlast the noise and speed of modern life that surrounds it. Take your time here. Sit by the lake. Watch the lotus flowers. Listen to the distant sound of someone singing opera in a pavilion. This is Beijing at its most beautiful and most enduring.