Beihai Park

Beihai Park is a thousand-year-old imperial park in the heart of Beijing boasting verdant gardens and a huge lake. It is a wonderful example of the imperial Chinese tradition of ornate city-centre parks. The landscaping of the park is designed to reflect a number of different vistas from throughout China, giving you an easily accessible insight into the diversity on offer in this fascinating country.The park was founded in the 10th century, under the rule of the Liao Dynasty, and has been continuously added to by the many different rulers of China down through the years. Many of the buildings which survive to this day date from the era of Qianlong Emperor, sixth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and are reflective of the style of that time.Stroll around the botanic gardens, or admire the ornate pavilions and sacred temples. There are also regular performances of song and dance throughout the park. If you’d prefer something to get your blood pumping a bit more, throw on your trainers or rent a bike and join the Beijing natives exercising along the park’s many paths. During the winter months, visit the delightful ice rink to whizz around to your heart’s content.The lake takes up over half of the park – Beihai means “North Sea” in Mandarin. Rent a boat and wend your way gently between the small islands. Disembark for a while on Jade Flowery Islet for a look at the White Dagoba, a Tibetan shrine dating from the 17th century. From here, make your way across Zhishan Bridge to the charming Painted Boat Studio and the gorgeous Hao Pu Creek Garden.Some of the numerous other highlights to be seen include the spectacular Nine-Dragon Wall, which can be found along the north side of the lake, and the towers, pavilions and Buddhist statue of the Circular City in the south-western portion of the park.Beihai Park is in the Xicheng District, which lays to the north and west of the Forbidden City. It is open every day, with later openings into the evening during the spring and summer months, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from when you get hungry.The park has a reasonable entry fee, and is easily accessible on foot, by bike or via public transport. Bikes are available for rent at the north gate of the park.