Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan)

Beihai Park is one of Beijing's oldest and most beautiful imperial gardens, a serene 1,000-year-old royal park just northwest of the Forbidden City, arranged around a large lake. Its iconic centrepiece is the White Dagoba (Bai Ta), a Tibetan-style white stupa crowning Jade Flower Island, reflected in the water. Around the lake spread pavilions, temples, covered walkways, willow-fringed shores, and the celebrated Nine-Dragon Wall (a glazed-tile screen of writhing dragons). It's a place where Beijingers stroll, row boats, and practise tai chi.

A former imperial pleasure garden, it offers a calmer, greener complement to the Forbidden City nearby, boat rides in summer, ice activities in winter, and lovely lake views year-round. Climb to the White Dagoba for views over the lake and toward the palace rooftops.

Don't miss

• The White Dagoba on Jade Flower Island
• The lake with boating in summer
• The glazed Nine-Dragon Wall
• Imperial pavilions, temples, and walkways
• Views toward the Forbidden City

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan)

Cheapest way inForbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket Booking4.7★ · 161 travelers2–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →Best full dayBeijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square4.6★ · 749 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$99 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleBeijing Private Tour to Temple of Heaven, Panda House and Summer Palace4.9★ · 116 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$166 per personSee dates →

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How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Climb to the White Dagoba for lake views and a glimpse toward the Forbidden City.
• Don't miss the glazed Nine-Dragon Wall.
• Rent a boat on the lake in warmer months.
• It pairs well with the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park nearby.

A bit of history

Beihai ('Northern Sea') Park dates back over a millennium, developed by successive dynasties as an imperial garden; much of the present layout is from the Ming and Qing eras. The White Dagoba was built in the 17th century. It opened to the public as a park in 1925.