There’s so much going on, the park resembles a vaudeville show, especially on weekends when the weather is good. Ballroom dancing is popular throughout China, and Beijing is no exception. Lessons start early in the parks, including Beihai. Waltz music blares out over loudspeakers as dancers practice on a wide walkway below one temple and across from another.
Cross the bridge to Jade Islet, and there’s even more activity. Women waving red scarves practice more traditional Chinese dancing. There are jugglers, exercisers and badminton players.
Beihai is a Smorgasbord of Entertainment
A stroll along the east side of the man-made lake may turn up a chamber orchestra playing Chinese classical music. Farther north are more dancers and singers performing pop songs. People with big brushes use water to paint huge characters on the walkways. When the water dries and the character fades away, the painter draws another character. Every few feet there’s a different activity, from traditional to modern, taking place.
There are even activities for non-performers to participate in. If the weather is nice, rent a duck boat and paddle around Beihai Lake. Just after the entrance to the White Dagoba Temple, there’s a large iron vat filled with water. Four small bowls sit at the bottom. The vat is surrounded by people, each one hoping the coin they’re tossing into the water will land in one of the bowls. (Tip: dropping the coin in flat increases the chances of it landing in a bowl.) Beihai Lake freezes over in the winter, making it popular with ice skaters.
The White Dagoba punctuates Jade Islet. Visitors climb to the temple platform, then try to see how many Beijing landmarks they can see from there. This is only fair since the White Dagoba can be seen for some distance from the park.
Weekdays will be quieter, though the dancing and exercising take place daily in the mornings.
Park Is Former Imperial Playground
This thousand-year-old park is a former imperial playground and garden. It also was a resting place for the imperial court as members traveled from the Forbidden City in central Beijing to the Summer Palace in western Beijing.
Beihai Park is a few minutes walk west of the north entrance of the Forbidden City. Seeing the two attractions in one day makes sense for independent travelers. A leisurely stroll around Beihai Lake is an excellent way to relax after fighting the crowds at the Forbidden City.
Click here to see stunning photos and a short video on Beihai Park.
Cheryl Probst - Cheryl Probst is an award-winning photojournalist who specializes in writing about motorcycles, China and the Pacific Northwest.
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