The Tuancheng, or Circular City, sits on a high stone terrace surrounded by white walls and ancient pine trees. It originally served as a detached palace for Yuan Dynasty emperors, featuring a circular layout that reflects the celestial…
Beihai Imperial Garden Walk
This walk takes you through the tranquil lakeside paths, hidden scholar-style courtyard gardens, and historic Buddhist temples of Beijing's oldest imperial park.
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1. Beijing Tuancheng Art Museum
2. Yong'an Monastery
The white pagoda at Yong'an Monastery stands out because it sits atop the highest point of Beihai Park on a man-made hill. Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty ordered its construction in sixteen fifty-one to mark the site of a former…
3. Yilantang
Yilantang features a traditional tiled roof that sits noticeably lower than the neighboring structures within the courtyard complex. Built during the Qing dynasty, the pavilion served as a private retreat for members of the imperial…
4. Haopujian
Haopujian sits within the north side of the Summer Palace grounds, characterized by a series of interconnected courtyards and a distinct, tranquil layout designed for scholarly retreat. Emperor Qianlong commissioned the structure in the…
5. Beihai Jingxinzhai
The Jingxinzhai, or Studio of Heartfelt Sincerity, sits tucked inside the northern reaches of Beihai Park behind a wall of grey stone and winding corridors. This courtyard complex centers on a tranquil pond that mirrors the surrounding…
6. Nine Dragon Screen
The Nine Dragon Screen is a twenty-nine-foot tall wall of glazed tiles featuring nine massive, writhing dragons in yellow, blue, and green. It sat originally in front of the gate to a palace built for a Ming dynasty prince, but it was…
7. Wulongting
Wulongting, or the Five Dragon Pavilion, stands out for its five square, interconnected wooden structures topped by yellow glazed roof tiles. Built during the Ming dynasty, it originally served as a place for the imperial family to fish…