Why Trust This Article?
- • Author: Hesham Al-Daaja (based in China since 2019)
- • Last updated: Mar 6, 2026
- • Based on direct field experience with Arab travelers and buyers
Beihai Park: Beijing's Thousand-Year Imperial Garden
I'm Hesham Al-Daaja from Jordan, based in China since 2019. Beihai Park (北海公园) feels different every season. Spring: lotus flowers cover the lake. Autumn: willows trail in golden water. Winter: the lake freezes and becomes a natural skating rink. Summer: cool breeze while the rest of the city swelters. It's been a favourite of Beijing residents for over a thousand years — originally part of the imperial garden complex dating to the 10th century Liao Dynasty.
Quick Answer
Beihai Park is Beijing's oldest imperial garden, dating back over a thousand years, spanning 69 hectares — more than half of which is lake — and famous for its White Pagoda.
The Highlights
- White Dagoba (白塔): The iconic 36-metre Tibetan-style stupa on Qionghua Island, built in 1651 to commemorate the Dalai Lama's visit to Beijing. The white dome you see in every panoramic Beijing photo.
- Qionghua Island (琼华岛): Accessible by bridge or boat. Climbing to the Dagoba gives excellent views of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Hill, and the old city.
- Nine Dragon Screen (九龙壁): One of only three in China — a 27-metre glazed tile wall with nine dragons in relief, colours still vivid after 600 years.
- Boat Rental: Lotus-shaped pedal boats and wooden rowboats at the north shore dock. ¥40–80/hour. Drifting across the lake with the White Dagoba as backdrop is one of the best experiences in Beijing under ¥100.
Visit Info (2026)
- Entry (park): ¥10 April–October / ¥5 November–March
- Park + Qionghua Island: ¥20 / ¥15
- Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM summer / 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM winter
- Metro: Line 4, Xisi station — 15 min walk north. Or taxi from Tiananmen ¥15.
- Time needed: 2–3 hours. More if you rent a boat.
Morning Life at Beihai
Arrive at 7:00 AM and you'll find Beijing at its most human — retired residents doing tai chi on the lakeside, groups fan dancing, old men playing erhu. This is the real Beijing that tourists rarely see. The park opens at 6:00 AM.
Combine With
Jingshan Park (10 min walk east, ¥2 entry) gives the best aerial view of the Forbidden City from its hilltop pavilion. My favourite central Beijing day: Beihai in the morning → Jingshan midday for the view → Forbidden City in the afternoon. A private driver makes it seamless. Message me on WhatsApp.
