{"id":590,"date":"2023-06-13T09:16:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T01:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=590"},"modified":"2023-06-13T23:08:17","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T15:08:17","slug":"how-to-visit-beihai-park-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/beijing-travel\/how-to-visit-beihai-park-beijing","title":{"rendered":"How to visit Beihai Park Beijing (Tips, Photos & Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plan your Beijing tour<\/a>? Overshadowed by its neighbour \u2013 Forbidden City <\/a>( Palace Museum ), Beihai Park is very often neglected by many visitors. Dubbed as Winter Palace by westerners, Beihai Park  is the oldest imperial garden as well as one of the largest in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Beihai” literally means “north sea”. In the past, the royal families pompously called all the lakes “sea” in connection with the imperial court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 1: ABC of Beihai Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beihai Park used to be part of the imperial garden called “Xiyuan” in Qing Dynasty meaning “West Garden” due to its location just outside Forbidden City on its west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally\u00a0built in 1166 in the sixth year of the Reign of Jin Dading during Jin Dynasty (1115\u20131234 ) , the huge park\u00a0was repaired and rebuilt in the\u00a0successive dynasties including Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties\u00a0(1125 \u2013 1644).\u00a0It was first opened to the public as a park in 1925.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building of\u00a0Beihai Park was the result of many emperors’ dream of finding a secret potion that was the elixir of life by resembling the three magic mountains called Penglai, Yingzhou and Fangzhang on the sea where the gods who lived there were believed to\u00a0have a secret potion for immortal life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So Beihai Park was laid out in the form of one pool and three “mountains”.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/
The White Dagoba on Qionghua Islebecomes an important landmark of the city.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It was said that Cixi Dowager often stayed in\u00a0a palace between Nanhai ( South Sea) and Zhonghai ( Mid-Sea), and had meals or entertained foreign friends or her favourite officials in Jingxin House on the north shore of Beihai Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now Beihai Park is open to the public. But Zhonghai and Nanhai combined called “Zhonghanhai”, is where the top Chinese officials work and live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beihai Park is well known for its beautiful gardens, the maze in the stone cave, temples and pavilions. Atop the Jade Island in Beihai Park, the White Dagoba becomes an important landmark of the city. Beihai Park is worth being listed on your first time trip to Beijing if time permits. Then how to visit it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 2: Beihai Park Location and Layout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beihai Park\u00a0is located just 10 minutes\u2019 walk to the northeast of Forbidden City <\/a>in the centre of Beijing. Half of\u00a0the park\u00a0is taken up by water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It adjoins Zhongnanhai (Zhonghai and Nanhai) on the south, Shichahai area <\/a>on the north and the Jingshan (Coal Hill<\/a>)<\/a> on the east. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Beihai Park to the northwest of Forbidden City (Google)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The major attractions in the former imperial park mainly fall on five parts \u2013 Qiongdao ( Jade Isle ), East Shore and North Shore, Circular City and Arboretum. It has 4 main gates \u2013 the south gate, west gate, east gate and north gate  ( also known as back gate).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Beihai Park to the west of Jingshan Park ( Google)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"\/
Nine-Dragon Screen <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"
Wulongting ( Five Dragon Hall )<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tip 3: Enter the Park though the right gate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So there are mainly 4 entrance gates, which one you should use? This all depends on your Travel Schedule. Its North Gate is also known as Back Gate. Below is my suggested travel plan including Beihai Park:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Tiananmen Square \u2013 Forbidden City \u2013 (South Main Gate) Beihai Park \u2013 Beihai Park (Exit from North Gate) \u2013 Houhai (Shichahai) \u2013 Drum Tower   Lama Temple<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Tiananmen Square \u2013 Forbidden City \u2013 Jingshan Park – (East Gate) Beihai Park \u2013 Beihai Park (Exit from North Gate) \u2013 Houhai (Shichahai) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Lama Temple \u2013 Shichahai \u2013 Beihai Park (north gate) \u2013 Qiongdao \u2013 Circular City \u2013 (Exit South Main Gate) Beihai Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) (South Main gate) Beihai Park \u2013 Qiongdao \u2013 (Exit from north gate) Beihai Park \u2013 Houhai ( Shichahai ) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 4: Best time to go in a day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a day, morning is the best time to visit Beihai Park. As you know, Beijing is at its best in the mornings. There is a relaxing feel around the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will see many people doing morning exercises, singing, dancing. Some old men practice with their swords; others write on the ground with big brushes!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/
Doing Tai Chi in Beihai Park in the early morning, Beijing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Stroll around Beihai Park in the morning and get an immersive look into the lives of ordinary People in Beijing. You are also welcome to join them singing, dancing and exercising , as local Beijing people.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Beihai Park turns into a wonderland of lights at night<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Check out Night View of Beihai Park<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dark, Beihai Park turns into a wonderland of lights, it is a nice place to stretch your legs and rekindle a romance with traditional beauty of Chinese landscape illuminated at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 5: Best Time to go in a year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People like the park all year round. In winter, it becomes one of the biggest ice rinks in the Beijing. In summer, the park is a popular retreat and a getaway away from heat in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/
Beihai Park Ice Rink ( Image Credit: Internet)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In spring, Beihai Park is immersed in the sea of flowers. In autumn, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Beihai Lake and Qionghua Island with blue sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 6: Have a bite at Beihai Fangshan Restaurant <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The famous Beijing Fangshan Restaurant is located on Qingdao Isle in the park.\u00a0Entering the East Gate and step on the Qingdao Isle and turn right along the corridor, you will find the\u00a0world famous restaurant offering\u00a0court food.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/
Beijing Fangshan Restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

“Fang” means imitation, “Shan” means “meals for the Emperor”.
Sales Dept.:\uff08010\uff0964011879 64011889 64042573 Office: \uff08010\uff0964043481|
Fax: \uff08010\uff0964041184<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 7: How to get there <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Gate (Back Gate: take Subway Line 6 ; Take bus No.13, 42, 107, 111, 118, 612, 701 ;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

East Gate: take No.5 and get off at West Banqiao station<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Gate and West Gate: take 5, 101, 103, 109, 124, 128, Zhuan 1, Zhuan 2 and get off at Beihai Station<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blend your visit to Forbidden City or Jinshan Park with the tour of Beihai park: Enter at the south entrance of the Forbidden City and then exit at the north gate. Turn left and head towards Beihai park in about 10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 8: Entrance fees and opening time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening Time<\/strong>
6:30 am to 8:30 pm: April, May, September, and October
6:30 am to 10:00 pm: June, July, and August
6:30 am to 8:00 pm: January, February, March, November and December<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entrance Ticket <\/strong>
(General Entry for the Park)
RMB 5 (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov and Dec )
RMB 10 (April \u2013 October)

Beihai Park Through Ticket<\/strong>
( including inside pay sights: Qionghua Islet and Circular City) :
RMB 20 ( April \u2013 October ); RMB 15 ( Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov and Dec );<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 9: Boating Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Taiye Pool in Beihai Park, whose water comes from Yuquan Mountain, is clean and suitable for boating and enjoying the cool air. It is a rare natural water body for boating in Beijing city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cartoon battery boat: RMB 160 \/ hour (Deposit: RMB 500)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rowing boat: RMB 40 \/ person for half an hour; 60 yuan per person per hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big gaily decorated Boat: One-way Ferry RMB 20 \/person<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ferry Boat: 10 yuan\/person; 15 yuan\/round trip<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 10: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Beijing guided tours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car Rental in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Day Tour<\/a>
Beijing Tour Packages<\/a>
Beijing Winter Tour<\/a>
Great Wall Tour<\/a>
China City Tours<\/a>
China Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit Beijing<\/a>
How to plan a trip to Beijing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Beijing<\/a>
How to Visit Forbidden City<\/a>
How to Visit Temple of Heaven<\/a>
How to Visit Summer Palace<\/a>
How to Visit Ming Tombs<\/a>
How to Visit the Great Wall of China<\/a>
How to Visit Tiananmen Square<\/a>
How to Visit Hutongs<\/a>
How to Visit Olympic Sites<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Markets in Beijing<\/a>
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Shopping<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wangfujing Night Snack Street<\/a>
Qianmen Commercial Street<\/a>
Beijing Huguosi Street<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Plan your Beijing tour? Overshadowed by its neighbour \u2013 Forbidden City ( Palace Museum ), Beihai Park is very often neglected by many visitors. Dubbed as Winter Palace by westerners, Beihai Park  is the oldest imperial garden as well as one of the largest in China. “Beihai” literally means “north sea”. In the past, the royal families pompously called all the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,20,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beijing-attractions-tips","category-beijing-tour-reviews","category-beijing-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31862,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590\/revisions\/31862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}