Beihai Park remains one of China’s oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens, and a true have in the midst of urban hustle. Dating back 1,000 years, it has survived the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and is a perfect example of the ancient Chinese art of garden landscaping. This park covers an area of over 700,000 sq m and more than half is water. Its hills and manicured lawns boast many species of trees and plants fringing a large lake, with pavilions and towers hidden in between. Today, it is a great place for boating in summer and a huge ice rink in winter.
The park has four gates, leading in four different directions. Most visitors enter the park through its south gate, tour the island, and then walk all the way along the eastern bank of the lake to its north gate if they have time.
Address: No. 1 Wenjing Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
Open time: 6 am – 9 pm (Apr. 1 – May 31, Sep 1 – Oct. 31)
                     6:30 am – 8 pm (Nov. 1 – Mar 31)
                     6 am – 10 pm (Jun 1 – Aug. 31)
Entrance Ticket: RMB 10 (Summer) and RMB 5 (Winter)
The spots in the Beihai Park:
White Dagoba: An onion-shaped shrine dagoba in Tibetan style in the center of Jade Island built to honor the fifth Dalai Lama when he visited Beijing In 1651.
Round Town: Round Town is a small castle enclosure on the south of Beijing Park. In its heyday, the main building here, Hall of Receiving Light, was a spot favored by Ming emperors for watching fireworks, it was made a Buddha hall in the Qing Dynasty. The huge jade urn in the Jade Urn Pavilion was believed to be KublaiKhan’s wine vessel.
Five-dragon Pavilions:  This area was named after the magical impression of five pavilions linked up by winding bridges. It was a favorite place of imperial families, where they could relax, enjoy a spot of fishing or watch the moon.
Nine-dragon Screen: one of a trio of similarly designed, equally famous walls in China, it is built completely of glazed tiles and actually has 635 carved dragons, an impressive feat of Qing Dynasty craftsmanship. It is 5 m high and 27 m long.
Tranquil Mind Study: On the north shore of the lake. Built in 1757 and once a study of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong, this is Beihai’s crowing glory. In front of the building, Empress Dowager Cixi even had a railway built that led to Zhongnanhai.
Fangshan Restaurant：To dine like a royal, there is no other choice than Fangshan Restaurant, “Fangshan” means meals cooked to the same specifications as those prepared in the imperial kitchen, and this restaurant was founded in 1925 by several cooks from the imperial kitchen.
Temple of Eternal Peace: Built in 1651 together with the White Dagoba. Once a temple of Lamas to read sutras, later it was also used for imperial families to pay respects to Buddha
Jade Island: The most impressive part of Beihai Park. Based on a Legendary immortals’ land, this 66,000 sq-m island is especially beautiful in summer when lotus blossoms flourish. In its center stands a giant white dagoba, with many temple halls dotted around.

Location Map