Beihai Park and Round City |
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- Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
Located in the center of Beijing City, northwest of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park (北海及团城) is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved ancient imperial gardens in China. First built in Liao Dynasty (907-1125), it has a history of more than 800 years. It was renovated and expanded several times in Ming and Qing Dynasties, and finally settled on its scale today.
The park is vast in its water surface, which accounts for half of the park's total area of 700,000 square meters, consists of numerous scenic spots, including Bai Ta (White Dagoba), Qionghua Island, and the Nine-Dragon Wall. Round City, also known as the Circular Wall, is a part of Taiye Lake. It covers an area of 4,553 square meters and is surrounded by a 5-meter-high circular wall, featuring distinctive courtyards adorned with halls, pavilions and ancient trees.
Travel tips:
- Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Beihai Park);
8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Qionghua Island);
- Admission: 20 yuan;
- How to get there:
- Front Gate: bus No.5, 101, 103, 109, 124, 685, 814, 846
- Back Gate: bus No.13, 42, 107, 111, 118, 810, 701, 823