Beihai Park
9.1Friend Score / 10#1 of 12 Parks & Outdoors in Beijing
Known forbeihai parkimperial gardenwhite dagobajade flower island
An imperial lake garden older than the Forbidden City, crowned by the white Tibetan-style dagoba on Jade Flower Island — and still where central Beijing comes to row boats, dance, and stroll. 10 CNY in (20 for the combo covering the island temple). One of the most purely pleasant places in the city.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 06:00–21:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Beihai North station (Line 6), Exit B, at the north gate |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to go | Late afternoon into dusk; lotus season (July-August) on the north lake is glorious |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
9.1/10- Value9.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level7.0
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Beihai Park?
- Line 6 to Beihai North, Exit B, drops you at the north gate near the lotus ponds and Nine-Dragon Screen. The south gate is a short walk from the Forbidden City's west side, so it chains naturally onto a palace day.
- What's the Nine-Dragon Screen at Beihai?
- A 27-meter wall of glazed tiles with nine writhing dragons on each side, from 1756 — one of only a few surviving in China and the finest. It's on the north shore, easy to miss if you only do the island; don't.
- Can I combine Beihai with the hutongs?
- Perfectly — exit the north gate and you're facing Shichahai and the lanes toward the Drum Tower and Nanluoguxiang. Beihai in late afternoon, then hutong dinner around Houhai, is a classic and correct Beijing evening.
- Is Beihai good in the evening?
- Open until 21:00 in peak season, and dusk is its best hour — the dagoba silhouettes against the sunset and the day-trip crowds evaporate. The willow-lined east shore path toward Qionghua Island is the walk to do.
- How much does Beihai Park cost?
- 10 CNY entry in peak season (5 off-peak); the 20 CNY combo adds Yong'an Temple on the island and the Round City. The combo is worth it — the climb through the temple to the White Dagoba is the park's centerpiece.
- What is the White Dagoba?
- A 36-meter Tibetan-style Buddhist stupa built in 1651 for a Dalai Lama visit, sitting on Jade Flower Island where Kublai Khan's palace once stood. Marco Polo described this spot. The climb up through Yong'an Temple has lovely lake views at every landing.
- Is Beihai Park worth it compared to the Summer Palace?
- They scratch the same itch — imperial lake garden — but Beihai is central, cheaper, and more woven into daily local life, while the Summer Palace is grander. If you're short on time downtown, Beihai delivers most of the magic in a third of the schlep.
- Can you still rent boats on Beihai Lake?
- Yes — pedal boats and electric boats rent by the hour from docks on the main lake in warm months, and it's the quintessential Beijing family outing. In hard winter the lake becomes a public ice rink with chair-sledges, which is even better.
Nearby in Ask Beijing
- Prince Gong's MansionAttraction1.18 km · 15 min walk
- Jingshan ParkPark1.2 km · 15 min walk
- Palace Museum (Forbidden City)Museum1.55 km · 19 min walk
- Forbidden City (Gugong)Attraction1.56 km · 19 min walk
- Shichahai and Houhai LakesNeighborhood1.66 km · 21 min walk
Where to stay near Beihai Park
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