Beihai Park

Beihai, located in the center of Beijing, was a pleasure palace of Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing emperors.

In the middle of the 11th century, the park was known as the "Jade Islet Palace" where the Liao Dynasty rulers resided while visiting suburbs of their capital, Yanjing. In the Jin Dynasty, it was converted into an imperial villa, at which time Beihai (North Lake) and Qionghua (Jade) Islet (the present site of the Whiter Dagoba) were incorporated into the grounds. Many of the Taihu Lake stones were found on the Song emperor's garden in the Northern Song Dynasty capital, Bianliang (modern Kaifeng). They originally were collected in Suzhou under Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty.

Several great places of interest within the park: Qionghua (Jade) Islet, the Temple of Eternal Peace (Yong'ansi), the Hall of Heaven Kings (Tianwangdian), the Tranquil Heart Study (Jingxinzhai), the five Dragon Pavilions (Wulongting), the Nine-Dragon Wall (Jiulongbi), the Iron Screen (Tieyingbi), and the Bronze Immortal Bearing the Dew-Colleting Dish (Tongxianchenglupan)

Travel tips:

Add: Wenjin Jie (Front Gate), Xicheng District.
Opening hours: 6:00-18:00
Entry ticket:  Main entrance: 10 yuan, 35 yuan for through ticket.
Transportation: South Gate - Bus No. 101, 103, 109, 812, 814, 846.
                            North Gate - Bus No. 107, 111, 118, 701, 823.
                            East Gate – Bus No. 5.
Tel: 86-10-64071415, 64031102.
Website: http://www.beihaipark.com.cn/

(China.org.cn. May 16, 2008)