Shichahai
Experience the beauty of Beijing from a scenic boat ride
Shichahai is one of the largest and best-preserved historic districts in Beijing. This area not only offers a chance to enjoy natural scenery and historic architecture but also provides a glimpse into traditional Beijing culture and lifestyle. Visitors can explore historic mansions, stroll through old streets, visit ancient temples, and climb historic towers. Additionally, they can enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the lake or relax at one of the many bars in the area.
Table of Contents
I sit on the bench by the lake. There’s boats goin’ slow on the water, and peoples on the boats takin’ pictures. They all happy. Next to me some old mans playin’ chess. They laugh loud sometimes. It’s feelin’ all nice and fun and makes me feel happy inside. Later I go to get snacks at the stand. The spring rolls, they smell soooo yummy! They just out the fryer, crispy outside and soft inside, and the sauce is sweet and sticky. I eatin’ my food and listenin’ to music by the lake, and my heart feelin’ like the water, all calm and good.
Highlights
Drum Tower (Chinese name: 鼓楼)
The Drum Tower has a history that dates back over 700 years and served as the timekeeping center for the capitals during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It was also used to sound alarms during wartime or other emergencies. The Drum Tower features intricate design, with its exterior walls and the eaves columns and window shutters on the second floor painted in red, giving it a majestic and dignified appearance. The architectural style of the Drum Tower complements that of the Bell Tower, and together they stand as iconic landmarks in the Shichahai area.
Bell Tower (钟楼)
The Bell Tower is located about 100 meters north of the Drum Tower. Inside the Bell Tower hangs a massive bronze bell, which is the largest and heaviest surviving ancient bronze bell in China. Like the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower was historically not only a timekeeping center but also served as an alarm during wartime or other emergencies.
Yandaixie Street (烟袋斜街)
Yandaixie Street is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing, known for its shops specializing in tobacco pipes, smoking accessories, and antiques. During the Qing Dynasty, the street flourished, serving high-ranking officials and nobility. It is said that Empress Dowager Cixi, who enjoyed smoking, favored two particular tobacco shops and granted them exclusive rights to supply tobacco to the imperial court. This boost in prestige made both the shops and the street well-known throughout Beijing. Today, Yandaixie Street is predominantly lined with stores selling tea sets, smoking paraphernalia, lanterns, antiques, and kites, with only a few restaurants and bars among the traditional craft shops.
I walkin’ down the street with old stores, so many old things. Lots of pretty carvings and bright stuff, they all shiny and lots of colors. I step on the rocks on the ground, my feet go tap tap, it’s super quiet. The shop people say hi to me, like so nice, and I stop at this one place with the red candy on sticks. They look so good and all shiny and sticky, I buy one. I bite it and it’s like sour but sweet too, so yummy! At the end of the street, there’s this little tea shop, so I go in. It’s all quiet and soft, and there’s old pictures on the walls and like music playin’, the kind that’s all soft and plinky. I get some green tea and it smells sooooo good, all warm. I just sit and look at peoples and think, it’s all slow and old timey like Beijing, all calm and stuff.
Silver Ingot Bridge (银锭桥)
Silver Ingot Bridge is a must-visit spot when exploring Shichahai. Not only can you enjoy a leisurely stroll and take a boat ride underneath the bridge, but you can also savor authentic Beijing cuisine at the nearby restaurants.
Houhai Park (后海公园)
Visitors can enjoy the reflections of green trees in the lake, the stone bridge spanning the water, and the lush trees on either side. The park also features various restaurants and snack stalls to cater to visitors’ dining needs. Additionally, Houhai is not just a great place to visit during the day; its nighttime scenery is equally enchanting, making it a popular spot for Beijing’s nightlife and attracting both tourists and locals.
Most of the bars in Houhai feature traditional architectural styles combined with modern elements. Inside, you’ll find a diverse range of drinks and snacks, from classic tequila and butterbeer to contemporary lemon iced tea and lychee soda, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
Lotus Market (荷花市场)
Lotus Market features an amusement area and a shopping market, offering river fish, ice desserts, and various other goods. From the first day of the fifth lunar month to July 15 each year, the blooming lotus flowers add natural beauty to the market.
How to Get to the Shichahai
By Bus
- Beihai North Gate Station(北海北门站): Multiple bus lines pass through, including routes 13, 42, 90, 107, 111, 118, 609, 612, 623, and 701. From this station, you can walk east to reach Shichahai.
- Gulou Station(鼓楼站): Served by routes 124, 60, and 5. After getting off at Gulou Station, you’ll find Yandaixiejie(烟袋斜街) right across the street. Cross it to get to the Houhai area.
- Di’anmen Station(地安门站): Served by routes 108, 815, 734, and 834. After arriving at Di’anmen Station, walk a short distance to reach Shichahai.
- Gan Shui Qiao(甘水桥) (Gulou West Street): Served by routes 60, 5, and 124. After reaching Gan Shui Qiao, you can either walk or ride a bike to Shichahai.
By Subway
- Shichahai Station(什刹海地铁站) on Line 8 is the main subway station for accessing Shichahai.
Attraction Information
Hours
- Open all day.
Admission
- No admission fee required.
General Amenities
- Free restrooms
- Vending machine
Nearby Police Station
- Changqiao Police Station厂桥派出所
No. 2, Dahuangluo Factory Street B, Xicheng District, Beijing - In China, the number to call the police is 110. If you have an emergency and need help, you can dial 110 at any time. Local police will usually arrive within minutes and will provide assistance with great care and responsibility.
Practical Travel Tips
- You can take a rickshaw to explore the hutongs around Shichahai; rickshaws are only available here.
- An afternoon is enough to enjoy the area, taking about 2-3 hours.
- If you visit during the day, start with Beihai Park and the Drum Tower; the Drum Tower only lights up on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- In the evening, you can catch a beautiful sunset at Yinding Bridge, but be aware that it can get crowded, making it difficult to find a taxi afterward.
- In summer, there are many mosquitoes by the lake, so parents with babies should bring mosquito repellent patches.
Attraction Surprises
Lakeview Restaurant (湖景餐厅)
Next to the Shichahai Lotus Flower Market, there’s a restaurant with a stunning view of blooming lotus flowers! The atmosphere is fantastic, with lotuses floating in the lake. You can enjoy your meal while taking in the flowers, the water, and the boats—it’s truly romantic with the blue sky and green waters.
Shichahai Boat Tour (什刹海游船)
Shichahai offers a variety of boat options, including 4-person pedal boats, 4-person electric boats, and 6-person electric boats to meet the needs of different visitors. The prices are 180 RMB ($27) per hour for the 4-person pedal boat, 240 RMB ($36) per hour for the 4-person electric boat, and 280 RMB ($42) per hour for the 6-person electric boat. Shichahai also provides night sailing services, allowing visitors to experience the area in a unique way after dark.
Shichahai Ice Rink (什刹海冰场)
The Shichahai Ice Rink is open every winter, with specific dates depending on the weather and ice conditions, typically starting in late December and lasting until early February of the following year. The rink offers a variety of activities, including ice skating and ice sledding, catering to visitors of all ages. Additionally, there is a training area that provides professional skating lessons, allowing guests to enjoy skating while also learning and improving their skills.
