Is Beihai Park worth visiting if I've already seen the Summer Palace?

Yes, and the two feel different. Beihai is a smaller, far older imperial garden — parts date to the 11th century — built around a lake crowned by a white Tibetan-style Dagoba. It is far less mobbed than the Summer Palace, reading as a calm, local-feeling park rather than a packed sight. Its real advantage is location: right beside the Forbidden City, an easy same-day add-on.

How do I combine Beihai Park with the Forbidden City or Jingshan Park?

Beihai sits directly northwest of the Forbidden City, about a 10-minute walk from Jingshan Park's north gate. The natural route is to tour the Forbidden City in the morning, climb Jingshan for the rooftop view, then walk over to Beihai for a relaxed afternoon by the lake. All three cluster tightly, so you avoid metro hops and can do the trio on foot in a single day.

What is the White Dagoba at Beihai Park and can you climb it?

The White Dagoba is a 35-metre Tibetan-Buddhist stupa built in 1651, set atop Jade Flower Island in the middle of the lake — one of Beijing's most recognisable silhouettes. You can climb the island to reach it and take in open views across the lake and toward the city. The hilltop terrace and the Yong'an Temple buildings on the way up are part of the experience.

Beihai Park, Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1,000-year-old imperial garden centered on a lake with a white Tibetan-style pagoda — quieter than the Summer Palace.

At a glance

What it is: Outdoors
Also known as: 北海公园 (Běi Hǎi Gōngyuán)
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 9 PM
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit: Late afternoon for golden hour at the White Dagoba
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: 1 Wenjin St, Xicheng District, Beijing · 西城区文津街1号

See Beihai Parktickets & tours

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Beihai ("North Sea") is one of the oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens in China, with parts dating to the 11th century. The park centers on a 39-hectare lake; Jade Flower Island in the middle is crowned by the 35-meter White Dagoba — a Tibetan-Buddhist stupa from 1651 that's one of Beijing's most recognizable silhouettes. It's directly northwest of the Forbidden City (10-minute walk from Jingshan Park's north gate) and pairs naturally with that morning's palace visit. Less famous and less mobbed than the Summer Palace, Beihai is where Beijing locals come to row paddle boats, do tai chi, and walk the willow-lined embankments. The Nine-Dragon Screen (九龙壁) — a 27-meter glazed-tile wall depicting nine dragons among the clouds — is one of only three such Qing-era screens left in China.

Highlights

White Dagoba (白塔)1651 Tibetan-Buddhist stupa atop Jade Flower Island — climb up for city views
Nine-Dragon Screen (九龙壁)27m glazed-tile wall, Qing dynasty; one of three left in China
Paddle Boats on the Lake30 RMB/hour; calm summer afternoons are perfect
Combo with Jingshan Park10-min walk from Forbidden City's north gate — natural pairing
Round Fort & Yong'an Temple (团城·永安寺)Small fortified terrace at the south gate, often skipped

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Aim for late afternoon — golden hour lights the White Dagoba and reflects it across the lake for the best photo.
▸Don't skip the Nine-Dragon Screen near the north shore; it's one of only three Qing glazed-tile screens left in China and easy to walk past.
▸Enter from the south gate to start at the Round Fort and Yong'an Temple, the quiet terrace most visitors miss entirely.
▸Paddle boats run cheap by the hour and are the local way to see the Dagoba — calmest on a still summer afternoon.
▸It's cash-only inside, so carry small notes for the boat hire and snack kiosks before you arrive.
▸Walk in from Jingshan Park's north gate after the Forbidden City — it's barely 10 minutes and saves a metro transfer.
▸Come for early-morning tai chi and ribbon dancers along the willow embankments if you want the local, un-touristed side of the park.

Photos

Scenic view of the iconic White Pagoda in Beihai Park, Beijing, with surrounding greenery and water.

Tranquil scene of Beihai Park in Beijing with reflections of the White Pagoda and festive lanterns.

Beautiful view of Beihai Park's lake and white pagoda reflecting in calm waters in Beijing, China.

Winter landscape of Beihai Park in Beijing with frozen lake and cloudy sky.

Captured in Beijing's Beihai Park, this scene showcases a frozen lake under a cloudy sky, highlighting the winter beauty.

Tranquil reflection of traditional architecture and bridge in Beihai Park, Beijing.

Explore the majestic archway and stone lions in historic Beihai Park, Beijing.

Street painter who creates portraits with water on the frozen ground in Beihai Park in Beijing

Relief on a vase in Beihai Park in Beijing

Theatre stage and props in Beihai Park in Beijing

What travelers say (20 reviews)

Lucy M.·TripAdvisor·5/5

The White Dagoba island in the middle of the lake is so picturesque. Climbed up for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

2026-04-02

Tom W.·Google Maps·4/5

Quieter than Houhai but right next to it. Pair with Jingshan Park to the south — 10 min walk between gates.

2026-03-12

LakesAndLanterns·YouTube·5/5

Paddle boats for 30 RMB/hr — best summer afternoon in Beijing. Locals fishing along the embankment, lotus blooms in July.

2026-02-25

Anna T.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Don't miss the Nine-Dragon Screen — 27 m glazed-tile wall, Qing dynasty original. One of three in China.

2025-11-30

胡同绿洲·Xiaohongshu·5/5

比颐和园近得多，离故宫北门10分钟。白塔登顶看老北京屋顶是隐藏机位。

2026-03-18

Mike L.·Google Maps·4/5

10 RMB ticket. Quiet morning here was a perfect contrast to the Forbidden City circus the day before.

2026-04-15

Jay R.·TripAdvisor·5/5

1,000-year-old park — older than most Western cities. The Yong'an Temple on Jade Flower Island is a working Tibetan-Buddhist site.

2026-01-28

BeijingEvening·YouTube·4/5

The White Dagoba lit up at dusk is gorgeous. Stayed until 8 PM and walked along the embankment under lanterns.

2026-02-10

北海冬景·Ctrip·5/5

冬天结冰后整个北海是天然滑冰场，便民票免费。最好的免费冬日娱乐。

2026-01-12

Olga K.·Google Maps·5/5

Lotuses in July are spectacular. Rented a paddle boat and floated under them — best 30 yuan in Beijing.

2026-04-20

Carlos R.·TripAdvisor·4/5

The Round Fort (Tuancheng) at the south gate is often skipped — small but ancient. Built 1271 under Kublai Khan.

2026-03-25

Helen N.·Google Maps·5/5

Spent half a day combining Beihai + Jingshan + Forbidden City — all walkable. Best Beijing trio if you have one full day.

2026-02-18

ImperialPagodas·YouTube·5/5

The White Dagoba dates from 1651. Climb 30 minutes from the south gate to the summit. Sweat-worthy view.

2026-04-08

Sarah B.·TripAdvisor·4/5

Beautiful but on a hot summer day, very little shade on the lakeside. Bring a hat.

2025-12-05

皇城寻味·Xiaohongshu·5/5

仿膳饭庄在公园内，是从清宫御膳房出来的老字号，吃北京烤鸭和烧饼是绝配。

2026-03-08

Pete L.·Google Maps·5/5

Locals doing tai chi, painting on stone with water brushes, playing erhu. A daily window into authentic Beijing life.

2026-04-18

Sandra G.·TripAdvisor·5/5

1,000-year-old garden, free of commercialism. The White Dagoba climb takes 20 min — wear shoes with grip.

2026-02-28

BeijingDaily·YouTube·4/5

Subway Line 6 stops at Beihai North Gate. 5-minute walk to the entrance. Easier than driving.

2026-01-22

Robert F.·Google Maps·5/5

Stunning lake views. The Iron Wall and Buddha Park on the small north islets are atmospheric and rarely crowded.

2026-03-15

皇家湖泊·Ctrip·5/5

金代就有了，比颐和园早600多年。游人少，价格便宜，最适合下午来。

2026-04-22

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Beihai Park

Frequently asked questions about Beihai Park

Is Beihai Park worth visiting if I've already seen the Summer Palace?: Yes, and the two feel different. Beihai is a smaller, far older imperial garden — parts date to the 11th century — built around a lake crowned by a white Tibetan-style Dagoba. It is far less mobbed than the Summer Palace, reading as a calm, local-feeling park rather than a packed sight. Its real advantage is location: right beside the Forbidden City, an easy same-day add-on.
How do I combine Beihai Park with the Forbidden City or Jingshan Park?: Beihai sits directly northwest of the Forbidden City, about a 10-minute walk from Jingshan Park's north gate. The natural route is to tour the Forbidden City in the morning, climb Jingshan for the rooftop view, then walk over to Beihai for a relaxed afternoon by the lake. All three cluster tightly, so you avoid metro hops and can do the trio on foot in a single day.
What is the White Dagoba at Beihai Park and can you climb it?: The White Dagoba is a 35-metre Tibetan-Buddhist stupa built in 1651, set atop Jade Flower Island in the middle of the lake — one of Beijing's most recognisable silhouettes. You can climb the island to reach it and take in open views across the lake and toward the city. The hilltop terrace and the Yong'an Temple buildings on the way up are part of the experience.