Beihai Park

北海公园

Imperial lake garden with a white dagoba on its island

Hours

Apr–Oct 6am–9pm (last entry 8:30pm); Nov–Mar 6:30am–8pm (last entry 7:30pm)

Tickets

Peak (Apr–Oct) ¥10, combo ¥20; off-season ¥5, combo ¥15. Sold at the gate; boats extra

Address

1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng; south gate near Jingshan, north gate towards Shichahai

Emperors used this lake garden from the Liao, Jin and Yuan dynasties onward, and a white Tibetan-style dagoba crowns Jade Island in the middle. The dagoba seen over willows across the water is a postcard staple. It almost touches Jingshan's west gate, so it slots neatly into a walking day: Forbidden City, Jingshan, Beihai, Shichahai. Lots of people rent pedal or electric boats out on the lake.