Shichahai

Chinese name: 什刹海
Location: Xicheng District, Beijing, from the north side of Di’anmenwai Street in the east, Xinjiekou North Street in the south, Xinjiekou gap in the west, and Bell and Drum Tower in the north
Add：北京市西城区东起地安门外大街北侧、南至新街口北大街、西至新街口豁口、北至钟、鼓楼的区域
Opening hours: open all year round
Ticket price: free
Total area: 302 hectares
Water area: 336,000 square meters
Famous attractions: Prince Gong’s Mansion and Gardens, Soong Ching Ling’s Former Residence and King Mansion
Suggested play time: 2-3 hours
Suitable season for play: June-August, December-February
Virtual Tour: https://v.visitbeijing.com.cn/pano/13_1/index.html

Shichahai

Experience the Tranquility and Charm of Shichahai

Nestled in the heart of Beijing, Shichahai is a captivating historic area that combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a lively atmosphere. Known for its scenic lakes, traditional hutongs, and vibrant nightlife, Shichahai offers visitors an authentic glimpse into old Beijing with a modern twist.

A Picturesque Waterfront Destination

Shichahai consists of three interconnected lakes—Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai—surrounded by willow trees and traditional courtyards. The serene waters are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing boat ride, especially during sunset when the area is at its most enchanting.

Highlights of Shichahai

Traditional Hutongs: Explore the narrow alleys and experience local life while discovering hidden gems, including historic courtyard homes.
Historic Landmarks: Visit nearby cultural sites such as the Bell and Drum Towers or Prince Gong’s Mansion to delve deeper into Beijing’s rich history.
Vibrant Nightlife: As evening falls, Shichahai transforms into a lively hub with restaurants, bars, and live music venues lining its shores.

Why Visit Shichahai?

Shichahai is a destination that caters to all tastes. History buffs will appreciate its cultural landmarks, nature lovers will enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting, and those seeking entertainment will find plenty of options after dark. Whether you’re sipping tea at a traditional teahouse or cycling through the hutongs, Shichahai promises a delightful mix of relaxation and excitement.

Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the charm of Shichahai—a place where history meets modern-day vibrancy. It’s a must-see destination for anyone visiting Beijing!

Things To Do:

summer cruise

When you first arrive at Shichahai, you must be attracted by the large expanse of lake light at first sight. In summer, the lake is very cool and the lotus is in full bloom. You can enjoy the lake view by boat. There are many piers along the lake, such as Haomeng Jiangnan Pier and Lotus Market Pier in Qianhai, Wild Duck Island Pier and Liuyin Zhengdu Pier in Houhai, and there are cruise ships available.

Pedal boats and rowing boats can be enjoyed by yourself. Depending on the type of boat, the boat fee ranges from 40-60 yuan per hour; if it is a sightseeing boat, it will take you around the lake for about an hour. The boatman It will also explain the scenic spots of Shichahai, and the reference price of boating with people is 50 yuan.

ice skating on the lake in winter

In winter, when the lake is frozen, the cruise ships will not open, but you can come to enjoy the winter scenery. When the ice layer reaches a certain thickness, a Shichahai skating rink will be opened on the lake. The admission price is 20 yuan per person. In addition, skates, ice bikes, etc. are also available for rent, which are not expensive, but a deposit of 100-200 yuan is required.

visit ancient buildings

The ancient buildings around Shichahai make the scenic spot still retain the characteristics of old Beijing. There are Huitong Temple, Deshengmen Archery Tower, Prince Chun’s Mansion, Guanghua Temple, Yinding Bridge, Bell and Drum Tower and other scenic spots.

Among them, the most famous one is the mansion of Heshen on Qianhai West Street – Prince Gong’s Mansion. In addition to seeing the mansion of He Shen, a corrupt official in the Qing Dynasty, there are more than 10,000 “Fu” characters hidden in the mansion.

If you are interested, you can turn to Yandai Xie Street to look for the Qing Dynasty Post Office, which marked the birth of modern Chinese postal services. You can knock a few postmarks with exquisite patterns at the post office as a commemoration. Of course, you must buy postcards from the post office before stamping the postmark.

Try Old Beijing Snacks

If you like to eat some snacks at will, you can buy a bunch of candied haws, leaning against the white marble railings in Shichahai, while eating, you can watch the cruise ships passing by on the lake. If you want to specifically look for Beijing snacks, you can go to Jiumen Snacks. In the old-fashioned courtyard house, you can find everything from sauced beef, sausage fire, mutton, tofu brain; or go to Huguosi Snack Street to the west of Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall. , palace cheese, sole fire, taste the delicious food from the alley; in addition, there is a Quanjude roast duck restaurant in the lotus market.

bar nightlife

Whenever night falls, the lively time comes. There are bursts of singing from the many bars around Shichahai. Some bar singers in Shichahai are really good at singing. There are stories of the “Northern Drifters” behind the bars. Rock singer Dou Wei has sung in Shichahai for 3 years. It is said that he is now the owner of the restaurant Qingyunlou in Shichahai. Other well-known bars include Hutong Xieyi and Jiadingfang. Go to the bar to sit and watch the singers perform. From the singing, you can hear the enthusiasm of the “Northern Drifters” for music.

Attractions nearby

Shichahai is adjacent to Nanluoguxiang to the east, Beihai Park to the south, and not far from Jingshan Park, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square to the south. Usually go to the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square during the day, and sit at the bar in Shichahai at night; if you don’t go to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and like the lake view, you can visit Beihai Park and Shichahai together; if you only like shopping and eating snacks, you can go to Nanluogu next to Shichahai after shopping Alley to continue shopping.

Shichahai,Beijing

Shichahai Video

Shichahai Tourist Map

Shichahai Travel Guide

must see tips

The quality of music at night in Houhai Bar Street is very high. Many celebrities sang here before they became famous. Pick a bar and listen to the stories behind the singing of the Peking drifters.
Prince Gong’s Mansion is the former residence of Heshen, Yandai Xiejie is a well-known commercial street in Beijing, and it is a place worth visiting around Shichahai.