Beihai Park is the oldest completely preserved imperial garden in Beijing. It is located in the northwest of the Forbidden City. Originally built in the 10th century, it has a history of a thousand years, including five dynasties: Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing (916-1911). The park covers a total area of over 0.68 square kilometers. Boating and fishing are popular here in spring, summer and autumn, while in winter the lake is popular with skaters.

At the center of this park is an island called Jade Island (Qiongdao). Seated on the highest point on Jade Island, a 36m-high White Pagoda (Baita) was originally built in 1651 for a visit by the Dalai Lama, Tibets spiritual leader. Inside the pagoda tower are inscriptions, artifacts of Buddhist monks and Sheli (the bones of deceased monks said to have good moral thought and behavior). On the north bank of Beihai lies the Five-Dragon Pavilion. It got the name because the bridges that connect the five pavilions seem to float on the waters surface, looking like five dragons playing on the water. Behei Park was a place of entertainment for the emperors and their concubines, who would go fishing or watch the moon. Just to the north of Five-Dragon Pavilion is Nine-Dragon Wall. Built in 1756 during the Qing Dynasty, it is a glimmering stretch of colored glazed tiles. Nine complete dragons playing in the clouds decorate both sides of the wall.

Name:Beijing Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan)
City:Beijing
Address:No.1 Wenjin Street, Dongcheng District
Admission:CNY10
Hours: 6:30 am -7:30 pm
Tel: 0086-10-64040610

This article was posted on 2007-08-21
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