# Beihai Park, Beijing > Beihai Park is a former imperial garden next to the Forbidden City: a big lake, the White Dagoba on Jade Flower Island and the Nine-Dragon Wall. Entry is ¥5 from November to March, ¥15 with the island and Round City; ¥10 and ¥20 April–October. The park is open daily; the island temples close Mondays. Allow two hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beihai-park - City: [Beijing](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing), China - YesGo score: 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h - Entry: ¥5–10, ¥15–20 with the island - Opening hours: Park daily: November–March 6:30–20:00, last entry 19:30; April–October 6:00–21:00, last entry 20:30. Temples and garden courtyards November–March 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30, closed Mondays except public holidays - With kids: Fine with kids - Park entry: ¥5 from 1 November to 31 March, ¥10 from 1 April to 31 October - Combo ticket: ¥15 November–March, ¥20 April–October — park, Jade Flower Island with the temple and White Dagoba, Round City - Concession: Half price: ¥2.5 / ¥5, combo ¥7.5 / ¥10; check eligibility at the ticket office - Children and seniors: Under 1.2 m and over 60 free, according to unofficial guides - Booking: Not required: paper tickets at every gate; online in the 畅游公园 WeChat mini-program - Park hours: Nov–Mar 6:30–20:00, last entry 19:30; Apr–Oct 6:00–21:00, last entry 20:30 - Temples and courtyards: 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30 (November–March); summer hours unconfirmed - Mondays: Park open; Yong'an Temple, Jingxinzhai, Chanfu Temple and four more courtyards closed, except public holidays - Payment: WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to a foreign card, or cash - Metro: Line 6, Beihai North, Exits B and D — North Gate - Address: 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District (文津街1号) — South Gate - Coordinates: 39.92444, 116.38306 - Facts checked: 04.11.2026 ## Key facts - **68 ha** — of park, about 39 ha of it water (source: Beijing Municipal Government; Wikidata) - **1651** — the White Dagoba was built on Jade Flower Island for the visit of the 5th Dalai Lama (source: English and Chinese Wikipedia) - **1925** — the imperial garden opened to the public (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Beijing Daily) - **1179** — a Jin-dynasty summer palace was built here; four dynasties reshaped the garden (source: English and Chinese Wikipedia; Beijing Municipal Government) - **1756** — the Nine-Dragon Wall was built in coloured glazed tile (source: Chinese and Russian Wikipedia) - **32 m** — height of the hill on Jade Flower Island, crowned by the dagoba (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **1679** — an earthquake brought the dagoba down; it was rebuilt (source: English, Russian and Chinese Wikipedia) - **5 pavilions** — the Five-Dragon Pavilions on the north shore, linked by walkways over the water (source: English and Russian Wikipedia) - **1961** — Beihai and the Round City joined China's first list of protected national monuments (source: Beijing Municipal Government; Wikidata) - **1.5 m** — the white jade Buddha in the Round City, a late-19th-century gift to the emperor (source: Chinese and English Wikipedia) ## Beihai Park tickets: price and do you need to book? Beihai is one of the cheapest big sights in Beijing. Entry is **¥5** from November to March and **¥10** from April to October. The combo (through) ticket — **¥15** in winter, **¥20** in summer — adds Jade Flower Island, with Yong'an Temple, the White Dagoba and the Yilan Hall, plus the Round City by the South Gate. Concessions are half price. Get the combo. The climb to the dagoba is the reason to come, and the difference is ¥10. Plain entry makes sense only for an evening walk round the lake or on a Monday, when the temples are shut. You **don't need to book**. The Beijing government's 12345 hotline says every Beihai gate sells paper tickets on the spot; online tickets are sold in the **畅游公园** (Visiting Beijing Parks) WeChat mini-program, using your passport name and number. Older pages and some guides insist there are no tickets on site — that is out of date. For payment, link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to WeChat Pay or Alipay before you fly, and carry a little cash in small notes as a backup. Agents such as Trip.com also sell tickets if WeChat won't cooperate. > **The temples close on Mondays** The park opens every day, but since 1 September the island's Yong'an Temple and White Dagoba, the Yilan Hall, Jingxinzhai, the Painted Boat Studio, the Western Heaven temple, Chanfu Temple and the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Tower ruins are closed on Mondays again, except on public holidays. A Monday is fine for a lakeside walk, not for the combo ticket. ## Beihai Park opening hours From November to March the park is open **daily 6:30–20:00**, last entry 19:30. From April to October it opens 6:00–21:00, last entry 20:30, according to the Beijing government; Visit Beijing gives a 6:30 summer opening, so don't plan to the minute at dawn. The temples and walled “gardens within the garden” keep shorter hours: from November to March **8:30–17:00**, last entry 16:30, and they're closed on Mondays. So do the island and the north shore first, and save the lakeside loop for later in the day. A weekday morning is best: be at the dagoba by 8:30 and you'll beat the tour groups. After 16:00 the shore is quiet again, and at sunset the White Dagoba is reflected in the lake. ## How to get to Beihai Park by metro 1. From Tiananmen Square, take **Line 1** from Tiananmen East one stop to **Wangfujing**. 2. Change to **Line 8** northbound for three stops — Jinyu Hutong, National Art Museum — to **Nanluoguxiang**. 3. Change to **Line 6** westbound, one stop to **Beihai North**. About 35 minutes in all. 4. Leave by **Exit D** or **Exit B** and walk to the North Gate — about 5 minutes from Exit D, a little longer from B. 5. Coming from Jingshan Park? Leave by its West Gate: Beihai's East Gate is across the road, about 10 minutes on foot. 6. On foot from the square it's about 30 minutes along the west side of the Forbidden City to the South Gate by the Round City. By taxi or DiDi, show the driver 北海公园南门 (South Gate) or 北海公园北门 (North Gate). ## Is Beihai Park worth it, and how long do you need? Yes, especially if you're already at the Forbidden City or Jingshan. It's cheap, central, needs no booking, and gives you something the palace doesn't: water, willows, boats and everyday Beijing life. The view from the dagoba terrace takes in the lake, the palace roofs and Jingshan hill. Two hours covers the island and a walk along the shore. Add an hour for the north bank — the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Five-Dragon Pavilions and Jingxinzhai — or for a boat. If you've only got time for one big lakeside park, the [Summer Palace](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beijing-summer-palace) is grander, but it needs a separate half day out in the north-west. ## What to see in Beihai Park - **Yong'an Bridge and Jade Flower Island** — a marble bridge from the south leads to the island and Yong'an Temple (Temple of Everlasting Peace); stairs climb a 32-metre hill. - **The White Dagoba** (白塔) — a Tibetan-style stupa from 1651 at the top of the island. From the terrace below it you see the lake, the Forbidden City roofs and Jingshan. - **The Round City** (团城) by the South Gate — a small walled citadel. Its hall holds a white jade Buddha about 1.5 m tall; in the courtyard stands a huge Yuan-dynasty jade bowl. - **The Nine-Dragon Wall** on the north shore — 1756, coloured glazed tile, dragons on both faces; one of three such walls in China. - **The Five-Dragon Pavilions** — five Ming-era pavilions linked by walkways over the water, and the best view back to the dagoba. - **Jingxinzhai** (Quiet Heart Studio) — a garden within the garden, with a pond, rockery and galleries, a favourite of the Qianlong Emperor. - **Xiaoxitian and Chanfu Temple** — Buddhist courtyards on the north shore; closed Mondays. ## Boats in summer, skating in winter From spring to autumn you can hire **rowing, pedal and electric boats** from piers on the east and west shores and by the island. The season runs roughly April to October, and rental stops in strong wind or smog. Prices vary a lot between guides; you pay at the pier with WeChat Pay or Alipay, plus a deposit. In a cold winter the lake freezes and a **skating rink** opens on the ice. Last season it ran from late January to early February, 8:30–17:30; dates depend on the weather each year. Never walk on the ice when the rink is closed. In November, with the boats gone and no ice yet, Beihai is simply a quiet autumn walk — golden trees, fewer people and a ¥5 ticket. ## A short history of Beihai Park The garden is older than Beijing's role as the capital. A Jin-dynasty summer palace stood here from 1179, and the Yuan, Ming and Qing courts all rebuilt it. The White Dagoba went up in 1651 for the visit of the 5th Dalai Lama; an earthquake toppled it in 1679 and it was rebuilt. The Qianlong Emperor added much of what you see on the north shore in the 18th century, including the Nine-Dragon Wall in 1756. The imperial garden opened to the public in 1925, and in 1961 Beihai and the Round City were among the first sites put under national protection. The name means “Northern Sea” — the “seas” being the palace lakes, and Beihai the northernmost. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] It's not Monday — or I only want the lakeside walk - [ ] On the island before 16:30 - [ ] Passport with me in case I buy online - [ ] WeChat Pay, Alipay or some cash - [ ] 北海公园北门 and 北海公园南门 saved for a taxi - [ ] Comfortable shoes — the dagoba stairs are steep - [ ] Two hours, or three with a boat ## Beihai Park vs Temple of Heaven vs Summer Palace | | Beihai Park | Temple of Heaven | Summer Palace | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Imperial lake garden by the Forbidden City | Park with imperial altars | Lakeside imperial park in the north-west | | Ticket, Nov–Mar | ¥5, combo ¥15 | ¥10, ¥28 with halls | ¥20 | | Ticket, Apr–Oct | ¥10, combo ¥20 | ¥15, ¥34 with halls | ¥30 | | Booking | Not required, tickets at the gate | Passport, 1–7 days ahead | Passport, 1–7 days ahead | | Mondays | Temples and courtyards closed | Halls closed | Paid sights closed Nov–Mar | | Opens | 6:30 in winter | 6:00 | 6:30 in winter | Beihai is the easiest of the three: central, no booking and the cheapest. The Summer Palace is bigger and more dramatic but takes a half day of its own. With two days in Beijing, Beihai slots in neatly after the Forbidden City and Jingshan. ## Beijing by the water, compared Waterside places in Beijing rated by YesGo. - [National Centre for the Performing Arts (The Egg)](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/national-centre-for-performing-arts) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥40 building visit, half price ¥20 - [Beijing hutongs](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beijing-hutongs) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; rickshaw about ¥100–200 - [Houhai Lake and Shichahai](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/houhai-lake) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free - [Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/old-summer-palace) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ¥10, ¥25 with the ruins - [Beihai Park](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beihai-park) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥5–10, ¥15–20 with the island - [Summer Palace](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beijing-summer-palace) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · ¥20–30, ¥50–60 through ticket - [Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/gubei-water-town) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ¥140 entry; ¥170 with Simatai wall - [Longqing Gorge](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/longqing-gorge) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ¥40, boat ¥100 ## Forbidden City, Jingshan and Beihai in a day The palace in the morning, the view from Jingshan hill, Beihai across the road, and the Houhai lakes in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Forbidden City](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/forbidden-city) — YesGo score 61/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h 30 min · ¥40 Nov–Mar, ¥60 Apr–Oct 2. [Jingshan Park](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/jingshan-park) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥2, ¥10 during exhibitions 3. [Beihai Park](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beihai-park) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥5–10, ¥15–20 with the island 4. [Houhai Lake and Shichahai](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/houhai-lake) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free > **Pair it with Jingshan** Climb Jingshan hill first: from the top you see both the Forbidden City and Beihai's White Dagoba. Then leave by Jingshan's West Gate — Beihai's East Gate is just across the road. It's one long, very pretty walk with no metro needed. ## Good to know Don't confuse it with Beihai, the seaside city in Guangxi in southern China. There's no dress code: the island temples are run as museum sights. The lakes north of the park — Qianhai and [Houhai](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/houhai-lake), with the [hutongs](https://yesgo.io/china/beijing/beijing-hutongs) around them — are a 10–15-minute walk from the North Gate. ## Tips - Enter by the **North Gate** from the metro and leave by the South Gate towards the Round City and the Forbidden City — or the other way round. - Get to the island before 16:30: the temple and the dagoba close then, while the park stays open into the evening. - Skip Monday if the White Dagoba is the point of your visit. - The best view of the dagoba is from the north shore by the Five-Dragon Pavilions, especially at sunset. - Google Maps is blocked in China without roaming or a VPN — save an offline map and 北海公园北门 before you go. - Walk on north to the Shichahai and Houhai lakes afterwards — 10–15 minutes along the water. - Carry water: the loop round the lake is long and the stairs to the dagoba are steep. ## Questions ### How much is a Beihai Park ticket? Entry is ¥5 from November to March and ¥10 from April to October; the combo ticket with Jade Flower Island and the Round City is ¥15 or ¥20. Concessions are half price. ### Do I need to book Beihai Park in advance? No. Every gate sells paper tickets on the spot, according to the Beijing government hotline. You can also buy online in the 畅游公园 WeChat mini-program with your passport. ### What are Beihai Park's opening hours? November–March 6:30–20:00, last entry 19:30; April–October 6:00–21:00, last entry 20:30. The island temples run 8:30–17:00 in winter. ### Is Beihai Park open on Mondays? The park is. Yong'an Temple with the White Dagoba, Jingxinzhai, Chanfu Temple and several other courtyards are closed on Mondays, except public holidays. ### Which metro station is closest to Beihai Park? Beihai North on Line 6, Exits B and D, about 5 minutes from the North Gate. The South Gate has no metro nearby — walk or take a taxi. ### How do I get from Tiananmen to Beihai Park? Line 1 to Wangfujing, Line 8 north to Nanluoguxiang, then Line 6 one stop west to Beihai North — about 35 minutes. Or walk 30 minutes along the Forbidden City's west side to the South Gate. ### Can you rent boats in Beihai Park? Yes, roughly April to October: rowing, pedal and electric boats from piers round the lake. You pay at the pier with WeChat Pay or Alipay, plus a deposit. ### How long do you need at Beihai Park? About two hours for the island and a shoreline walk; three with the north bank or a boat. ### Is Beihai Park worth visiting? Yes, if you're near the Forbidden City: it's cheap, needs no booking and adds a lake, a hilltop view and local life that the palace lacks. ## How we checked Prices, hours and the address come from the Beijing Municipal Government; that no booking is needed and gates sell tickets comes from the government's 12345 hotline (2025). An older Visit Beijing page (2021) says the opposite — WeChat booking only — so we follow the newer official answer. The government gives a 6:00 summer opening, Visit Beijing 6:30; we show the first. The combo ticket's contents and winter temple hours come from a recent Visit Beijing article; we found no official summer temple hours, so they are marked checking. The Monday closure is from a recent government notice; the holiday exception from Visit Beijing. Free entry for children and seniors and all boat details come from guides; boat prices disagree, so we leave them out. Sources disagree on the White Dagoba's height (35.9 m in Chinese Wikipedia, 40 m in English and Russian), so we don't give it; English Wikipedia dates the Nine-Dragon Wall to 1402, while Chinese and Russian Wikipedia give 1756, which we use. ## Sources - Beijing Municipal Government, english.beijing.gov.cn — Ticketing, Parks: Beihai Park (prices, hours, address, area) - Beijing Municipal Government, 12345 hotline FAQ on Beihai and Jingshan tickets (2025) — no booking required, tickets at the gates - Beijing Municipal Government, Park Tours — notice on Monday closures resuming from 1 September - Visit Beijing (official Beijing tourism portal): park page (2021), recent Beihai article — combo ticket contents, temple hours, metro exits; skating rinks article from last winter - English, Russian and Chinese Wikipedia: Beihai Park, Парк Бэйхай, 北海公园; Wikidata Q133650 - Beijing Daily (news.bjd.com.cn), January 2025 — the park's centenary as a public park - English Wikipedia: Beijing Subway Lines 6 and 8, Beihaibei station - Wanderin China — boats, WeChat purchase, concessions (unofficial) - YesGo China notes: paying with foreign cards (travelto.ru, Lifehacker) --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.