Beihai Park

Beihai Park is a beautiful public park and former imperial garden located just northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. First built in the 12th century, it is one of the largest surviving Chinese gardens and holds many important historical buildings, palaces, and temples.

The park was once part of the Imperial City and has been open to the public since 1925. It was designed to mimic famous scenic spots and architecture from different parts of China, especially the areas around the Yangtze Delta. Visitors to Beihai Park can see designs that remind them of places like Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Suzhou, and the natural beauty around Lake Tai.

Today, the park covers about 71 hectares (180 acres), with a large lake taking up more than half of the space. In the middle of the lake is Jade Flower Island, which rises to a height of 32 meters (105 feet). The park’s lake connects to the Shichahai at its northern end, making it a wonderful place to explore and enjoy nature.

Name

"Beihai" is the name of the garden in Mandarin Chinese, which means "Northern Sea". This name matches the areas called the "Central Sea" and "Southern Sea" just south of the park. These three areas are now known together as Zhongnanhai, which 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 created a beautiful lake called Taiye Lake and built a palace on an island there.

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

Notable places

Beihai Park includes several beautiful Buddhist temples, such as the Temple of Everlasting Peace and the Chanfu Temple. One of its most famous spots is the White Dagoba, a tall tower built to honor an important visit by a leader in 1651. Made of white stone, it stands on the highest point of Jade Flower Island and is decorated with sun, moon, and flame designs.

The park also has the Five Dragon Pavilions, five connected buildings with tall, pointed roofs. Nearby is the Nine-Dragon Wall, created in 1402, featuring colorful dragons carved into glazed bricks. Smaller gardens, like the Quieting Heart Room, and beautiful rocks brought from far away can also be found throughout the park.

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. This was done to please the Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors when they visited Jiangnan in the 18th century.