Did you know that Beihai North Lake in Beijing was once a pleasure palace for emperors? Imagine the Liao Jin Yuan Ming and Qing emperors strolling its grounds. Beihai North Lake wasn’t always a public park. For centuries it was a private imperial garden a sanctuary for rulers.
The story of Beihai North Lake begins in the 11th century. It was then known as the Jade Islet Palace. Liao Dynasty rulers visited their suburban palace. In the Jin Dynasty it became an imperial villa. Beihai and Qionghua Islet were incorporated into the grounds. Many Taihu Lake stones adorn the gardens. These stones were originally collected in Suzhou under the Song emperor Huizong.
Kublai Khan later transformed the area. He built the Yuan Dynasty capital Dadu. He changed the Pool of Great Secretion to Taiyechi. Qionghua Islet became Longevity Hill. The Palace of the Moon was built on the island. It served as a ceremonial hall and governmental office. A jade wine urn from imperial feasts is displayed in the Circular Wall.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties Beihai continued as an imperial garden. Large construction projects improved the park. In 1651 Emperor Shunzhi built the White Dagoba Temple. The island was renamed White Dagoba Hill. The dagoba was damaged in an earthquake in 1679 but rebuilt the following year. Emperor Qianlong added several structures. These include the Temple of Revealing Happiness the Little Western Heaven and the Hall for Gazing at the Water. Beihai has changed little since Qianlong’s time. It opened as a public park in 1925.
Picture yourself walking through Beihai North Lake today. Two gates mark the entrances. The front gate is on Wenjin Street. The back gate is on West Dianmen Street. The front gate leads to the Bridge of Everlasting Peace built in 1332. The White Dagoba is the park’s aesthetic high point. From the Hall of Beneficent Causation you can see Zhongnanhai the Forbidden City and city streets. Pavilions and corridors wind around rocky crags. Pleasure boats sail across the lake.
Beihai North Lake is a treasure. It’s a place where history and nature blend. It’s a beautiful spot to relax and reflect on centuries of imperial life. It’s a place where emperors once strolled and now visitors wander. So explore Beihai North Lake for yourself. Experience the rich history and beauty of this unique place. Let the echoes of the past whisper stories in your ear.