介绍:
Built in the 11th century and located just northwest of the Forbidden City in China's capital city, Beihai Park is among the largest of all Chinese gardens and contains numerous historically significant structures such as palaces and temples. The park has an area of more than 69 hectares, with a lake that covers more than half of the entire park. And since 1925, this pearl in the centre of Beijing has been opened to the public.
Beihai Park has several entrances. The name of the park literally means "Northern Sea." There are also corresponding Central (Zhonghai) and Southern (Nanhai) "Seas". The latter two are joined inside a complex of buildings known as Zhongnanhai, serving as the residential and office area for some top Chinese leaders.
Similar to the Summer Palace and other imperial gardens in China, Beihai was built to imitate renowned scenic spots and architecture from various regions of China. You can see imitations of the Taihu Lake and delicate garden structures as well as elaborate pavilions and canals of Su Zhou and Hang Zhou cities in East China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Surrounded by such beauty and tranquility, Beihai has become more than a tourist destination, it is also an idyllic spot for recreational activities. Right next to the lake and the pavilions, there are some senior citizens practicing Tai Chi. They are led by Master Li Hang.
"I started to learn Taichi an early age. I was 11 years old when I became the student of Master Cui, who is the student of Yang Chengpu, the fourth generation practitioner of Yang Style Tai Chi. I started in 1955 and have practiced almost every day since then."
Since coming to the park in early 2010, Li has gained many students.
"I heard from others that there is a Yang Style Tai Chi master in Beihai Park and he is the student of Master Cui so I came here without question."
"I came in Beihai Park and saw him practicing Tai Chi. I thought 'this is the legendary Yang Style Tai Chi' so I started liking it."
Beihai Park is also the home to some of the most prominent historic structures in Beijing. The White Dagoba, or Bai Ta in Chinese, is a 40-meter high stupa on the highest point on Jade Flower Island. The tower-like structure was built to honor the visit of the 5th Dalai Lama in 1651. It is also featured on many tourist brochures. The body of the tower is made of white stone and has engravings of the sun, moon and flames on the surface. It is said that inside, there are some Buddhist scriptures, monk's mantle and alms bowl and even the remains of monks after cremation.
There are also several renowned Buddhist temples located within Beihai Park, such as the Yong'an Temple (Temple of Everlasting Peace) and Chanfu Temple. During the Qing Dynasty, the imperial family would come here to pray to the gods during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Tour guide Jian Xin explains.
"During the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the imperial family will pray to the moon just like the common folks. However, the ceremony held here is a bit different than the one held at the Temple of the Moon. At the Temple of the Moon, the emperor would have been praying for the whole country, praying for peace amongst the people and that everybody is well-fed and clothed. But here, the empress would have prayed for more children and a prosperous family."
Dotted along the north bank of the lake are the Five-Dragon Pavilions, five connected pavilions with spires and pointed unswept eaves, which were built in the Ming Dynasty. To the north of these pavilions lies the Nine-Dragon Wall. Built in 1402, this is one of three walls of its kind in China. It is made of glazed bricks of seven colors. Nine complete dragons are engraved into a 25.5-meter long screen made of stone.
Also on the north bank is the Jingxin Room (Quiet Heart Room). It is quite unique in that it's a garden within a garden. Many small traditional Chinese gardens exist throughout the park and these beautiful gardens and sceneries are definitely worth your visit whether you have lived here for a long time or just arrived in the city.
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