Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hai Park, northwest of the Forbidden City, is largely occupied by the North Sea
(Beihai),
a huge lake that freezes in winter and blooms with lotuses in summer.
The site is associated with Kublai Khan's palace, Beijing's navel before the
arrival of the Forbidden City. All that survives of the Khan's court is a large jar
made of green jade in the
Round City
( Tuancheng), near the southern en-
trance.
Topping
Jade Islet
( Qiongdao) on the lake, the 36m-high Tibetan-style
White Dagoba
( Baita) was originally built in 1651 for a visit by the Dalai
Lama, and was rebuilt in 1741. Climb up to the dagoba via the
Yong'an
Temple
( Yong'an Si).
Xitian Fanjing
( Western Paradise), situated on the northern shore of the
lake, is a lovely temple (admission included in park ticket). The nearby
Nine
Dragon Screen
( Jiulong Bi), a 5m-high and 27m-long spirit wall, is a glimmer-
ing stretch of coloured glazed tiles depicting coiling dragons, similar to its
counterpart in the Forbidden City.
Museum
CAPITAL MUSEUM
( Zhongguo Shoudu Bowuguan; 6337 0491;
www.capitalmuseum.org.cn
;
16 Fuxingmenwai Dajie; 9am-5pm; Muxidi)
Behind the riveting good
looks of the Capital Museum are some first-rate galleries, including a mesmer-
ising collection of ancient Buddhist statues and a lavish exhibition of Chinese
porcelain. Bring your passport for free entry.
HOUHAI LAKES
( Houhai;
Click here
Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang or Jishuitan)
Also known as
Shichahai but mostly just referred to collectively as Houhai, the Houhai Lakes
are compromised of three lakes: Qianhai (Front Lake), Houhai (Back Lake)
and Xihai (West Lake), two of which (Qianhai and Houhai) are linked.
During the day, people fish, fly kites or just meander along. In the evening,
the area turns into one of the more popular nightlife areas, as the restaurants,
bars and cafes that surround the lakes spring into life and the lakes them-
selves become a mass of pedalos circling round and round.
Lakes
