Still heading to those overcrowded “everyone-goes-there” attractions when you visit Beijing? Here’s a better option: Beihai Park. It’s not crowded, it’s elegant and serene, and it’s the perfect place to cool off during the hot summer months!
Beihai Park is known as the “Little Jiangnan of Beijing,” combining the delicate charm of southern Chinese gardens with the grandeur of northern architectural style. You get to experience two completely different aesthetics in one place. The ticket price is inexpensive, the park is filled with attractions, and it’s extremely budget-friendly for students. It’s also suitable for all ages—a great spot to bring your parents during summer vacation.
Don’t wait—take a look at this guide 👀 and get ready to breeze through Beihai Park!
Further Reading:Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Beijing for 2025! Includes Ticket Booking, Reservations, and Transportation Guide
Ticket Reservations & Opening Hours
Ticket Information
High Season: April 1 - October 31
Prices: Admission: ¥10 Combination Ticket: ¥20
Low Season: November 1 - March 31
Prices: Admission: ¥5 Combination Ticket: ¥15
Ticket Reservations: Trip
Park Opening Hours
High Season: April 1 - October 31, 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last entry at 8:30 PM)
Low Season: November 1 - March 31, 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Last entry at 7:30 PM)
Opening Hours for Enclosed Gardens and Courtyards
High Season: April 1 - October 31, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last entry at 5:30 PM)
Low Season: November 1 - March 31, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Except for the Grouping City, other garden-within-a-garden attractions are closed on Mondays (except national holidays).
Travel Routes
Ultra-Practical Tour Recommendations
Route A: Special Forces Speed Tour (3–4 hours)
Enter via North Gate, follow the red + blue + green lines on the map, then exit via North Gate. Super convenient transportation—North Gate has direct subway access.
Detailed Route: North Gate → Jingxinzhai → Western Paradise → Nine-Dragon Wall → Iron Shadow Wall → Kuaixuetang → Chanfu Temple → Wulong Pavilion → Little Western Paradise → Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion → Exit via West Gate → Tuancheng → South Gate → Yong'an Temple → White Pagoda → Yilan Hall → Haopu Jian → Huafangzhai → Exit via North Gate
Route B: Relaxed and Effortless Route (3 hours)
Route: Tuancheng → South Gate entrance → Yong'an Temple → White Pagoda → Yilan Hall → Take the 20-yuan ferry to Wulong Pavilion → Xiao Xitian → Chuanfu Temple → Iron Shadow Wall → Kuaixuetang → Nine-Dragon Wall → Western Heaven Buddhist Realm → Jingxinzhai → North Gate exit (can also be explored in reverse order)
Tourist Attractions
🌟 Yong'an Temple + White Pagoda
As a landmark of Beijing and China, the White Pagoda is a favorite among photographers, offering countless vantage points to capture its beauty! This Tibetan lama pagoda exudes the solemn elegance of imperial Buddhist architecture. We recommend purchasing a combined ticket for entry to experience its historical charm up close.
🌟 Yilan Hall
Beyond showcasing exquisite Qing imperial furnishings and precious artifacts, this venue is exceptionally photogenic! At dusk, the curved corridors bathed in shifting light create atmospheric masterpieces with every casual snapshot.
🌟 Haopu Pavilion
The nine-turn carved stone bridge paired with the stone archway radiates ancient charm, transporting visitors back to a scene from an old painting.
🌟 Painting Boat Pavilion
Modelled after Suzhou gardens, its courtyard is deep and serene. Who would have thought this was once where emperors practiced archery! Within the grounds lies the nation's only double-sided Nine-Dragon Wall among the three major examples, its dragon patterns vividly lifelike and worthy of close appreciation.
🌟 Jingxin Pavilion
Hailed as “Beihai's premier garden,” this compact yet exquisitely crafted space embodies the quintessential elegance of Jiangnan gardens. With its delicate bridges over flowing streams and winding paths leading to secluded corners, every step reveals a new scene.
🌟Western Heaven Buddhist Realm
Also known as Great Western Heaven, it is situated on the northern shore of Beihai Park. To the east lies Jingxinzhai Pavilion, while to the west it adjoins the Great Mirror Wisdom Treasure Hall. To the south, it forms a continuous line with Qionghua Island across the sea, making it one of the most renowned scenic areas in Beihai Park. During the Ming Dynasty, it served as a sutra printing workshop and later as the Western Heaven Zen Forest Lama Temple. Following its expansion in the 24th year of the Qianlong reign (1759), it was renamed Western Heaven Buddhist Realm. After undergoing restoration in 1980, it reopened to the public.
🌟Nine-Dragon Screen
This is a wooden-style colored glazed brick screen wall, and the only double-sided Nine-Dragon Screen among China's three major examples. The screen achieves remarkable sophistication in its dragon designs, color palette, and overall rhythm and harmony. As one of China's most significant and valuable artworks, it holds considerable importance for researching Qing dynasty imperial architecture.
Must-Visit Photo Spots
1️⃣ White Lakefront Wall Clean backdrop perfect for photos. Try poses like lifting your leg or stretching your arms.
2️⃣ Boat Dock Pavilion Both my friends and I love how photogenic the green railings here are!
3️⃣ Wulong Pavilion: The lake and pavilion combo is perfect for Hanfu princess outfits~
4️⃣ Benches create a relaxed vibe. There are many benches along the path—find one with a clean background and fewer people.
Tips for Visiting
❤️Tip: The park is built around water, requiring multiple entries/exits through different ticket gates. Keep your paper ticket safe—you'll need it for re-entry! Exit East Gate for Jingshan Park, North Gate for Shichahai.
Transportation
🚇Transportation Guide
Exit D from Beihai North Station (North Gate) on Subway Line 6
Or 15-minute walk from Xisi Station (South Gate) on Line 5
