9. Beihai Park
Beihai Park, a masterpiece of Chinese garden art, is located at downtown Beijing and to the northwest of the Palace Museum. Beihai, together with Zhonghai and Nanhai, are called Sanhai (the three lakes). They are all part of ancient Chinese imperial gardens. Beihai Park covers an area of 69 hectares (including 39 hectares of water-covered area). The mains attractions include Qionghua Island, the East Bank and the North Bank. With beautifully-designed pavilions and meandering verandahs, the park has a layout featuring "one lake dotted with three isles (Taiye Pool, Penglai Isle, Fangzhang Isle, and Yingzhou Isle)", which embodies a Chinese mythology about the fairyland.
Address: No.1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District of Beijing
Main Attractions: Kowloon Wall, Jingxinzhai Study, Yong'an Temple, Chengguang Temple, Yuegu Pavilion, Qiongdao Chunyin Monument, Round Castle
Website: www.beihaipark.com.cn
Tel: +86-10-64033225
Admission fee: Peak season (April to October): CNY 10; off season (November to March): CNY 5
Combined Ticket (including admission fee, Qiongdao Island and the Round Castle): Peak season CNY 20, off season CNY 15
Opening Hours: Peak Season (April to October): 06:30 to 21:00 (last entry at 20:30) Off-season (November to March): 06:30 to 20:00 (last entry at 19:30)
How to get there
Subway: take Line 6 to Beihai North station (Exit B)
Bus: Take Bus 13 / 42 / 107 / 111 / 118 / 612 / 701 to Beihai Beimen Stop