Beihai Park

Located in central Beijing, Beihai Park is one of the best-preserved imperial gardens in China. First built in 1179, this garden complex has served as the winter palace for emperors in China's Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

With an area of 68 hectares, Beihai Park is composed of an island and a beautiful lake. A Tibetan style White Pagoda built in 1651 on the island is a landmark of the park. There are a wide range of Tibetan Buddhist scripts in the pagoda. A variety of traditional Chinese architectural styles of Buddhist temples, pavilions and towers and courtyard structures can be found on the lake bank. A zigzagged bridge with five elegant pavilions extending from the bank into the lake is a beautiful sight in the park and has the beautiful name of 'Five-Dragon Pavilions'. To the north of the pavilions is Nine-Dragon Wall, one of three famous walls of its kind in China. It was built in 1756 during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Nine dragons playing in the clouds are decorated on both sides of the wall.

An imperial court cuisine restaurant housed in an antique building boasts the best imperial court dishes in the city.

Admission Fee:	CNY 5 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31) CNY 10 (Apr.1 to Oct. 31)
Opening Hours:	06:00 to 22:00
Recommended Time for a Visit:	One hour
Electric Bus Route:	5, 101, 103, 107,109, 111, 118, 701, 812, 814,823, 846