Beijing Attractions
Intricate engravings at Beihai Park © chaibin
Beihai Park
A place of tranquillity and grand imperial beauty, the Beihai
Park in Beijing is a peaceful natural haven after a long morning of
busy sightseeing. One of the oldest and most authentically
preserved imperial gardens in China, the history of Beihai Park
extends over 1,000 years to the ancient Liao dynasty (916-1125AD).
Built up through five dynasties, the park is an emblem of olde
worlde China and the ancient Chinese art of landscaped gardens with
artificial hills, colourful pavilions and intricate temples,
dominates. Kublai Khan lived in what is now the Round City of
Beihai Park and the Tibetan style White Dagoba, built in 1651 on
Jade Island (JiongHua), is a landmark for both Beihai Park and
Beijing, having been constructed on the suggestion of a famous
Tibetan Lama priest, NaomuHan.
Address: Wenjin Jie 1;
Transport: Underground rail to Tiananmen Xi, then bus number 5;
Opening time: Daily 6am to 10pm;
Admission: ¥10 April to October, ¥5 November to March
