Beihai Park

Beihai Park is a beautiful public park and an old garden near the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. It was built in the 12th century and is one of the biggest Chinese gardens that still exists. The park has many important old buildings, palaces, and temples.

The park used to be part of the Imperial City. It opened to the public in 1925. It was made to look like famous places and buildings from many parts of China, especially near the Yangtze Delta. Visitors can see designs that remind them of places like Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Suzhou, and the beauty around Lake Tai.

Today, the park covers about 71 hectares (180 acres). A big lake takes up more than half of the park. In the middle of the lake is Jade Flower Island. It rises to a height of 32 meters (105 feet). The park’s lake connects to the Shichahai at the north end. It is a great place to explore and enjoy nature.

Name

"Beihai" is the name of the garden in Mandarin Chinese. It means "Northern Sea". This name goes well with the areas called the "Central Sea" and "Southern Sea" just south of the park. Together, these three places are now known as Zhongnanhai. This is where China's most important leaders work.

History

Beihai Park has a long and interesting history. It was first built in 1179 by Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin dynasty. He made a beautiful lake called Taiye Lake and built a palace on an island there.

Later, during the Yuan dynasty, the area was changed. When the Ming dynasty moved their capital to Beijing, they turned the lake into three smaller lakes called the Northern, Central, and Southern Seas. This area became known as the Western Garden. Years later, Emperor Qianlong added special old writings to a pavilion in the park for everyone to see.

Notable places

Beihai Park has many beautiful Buddhist temples, such as the Temple of Everlasting Peace and the Chanfu Temple. One of its most famous spots is the White Dagoba. This is a tall tower built to honor a leader’s visit in 1651. It is made of white stone and stands on the highest point of Jade Flower Island. The tower is decorated with sun, moon, and flame designs.

The park also has the Five Dragon Pavilions. These are five connected buildings with tall, pointed roofs. Nearby is the Nine-Dragon Wall, made in 1402. It shows colorful dragons carved into glazed bricks. You can also find smaller gardens, like the Quieting Heart Room, and beautiful rocks brought from far away.

Legacy

The Five-Pavilion Bridge and Lotus Tower in Yangzhou's Slender West Lake Scenic Area were built to look like Beihai Park's Five Dragon Pavilions and White Dagoba. They were made this way to please the Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors when they visited Jiangnan in the 1700s.