Shichahai
什刹海
A historic Beijing waterfront formed by Front Lake, Back Lake and West Lake, with hutongs, a bar street and the sunset over Yinding Bridge that capture the city's everyday life.
Shichahai consists of three bodies of water: Front Lake, Back Lake and West Lake. They are remnants of Jishuitan, the Yuan-dynasty canal terminus. Along the shores are Yinding (Silver Ingot) Bridge, Yandai Xiejie (Tobacco Pouch Slope), Prince Gong's Mansion, the former residences of Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo, and many siheyuan courtyard houses in the hutongs. During the day, you can take a pedicab tour through the hutongs or rent a boat on the lake. In the evening, watch the sunset over the Western Hills from Yinding Bridge. At night, the bar street runs along Back Lake. In winter, the lake becomes an ice rink. The open scenic area is free. Choose a reputable pedicab operator and agree on the price and route beforehand. Take Metro Line 8 to Shichahai station.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Drum Tower & Bell Tower
- Prince Gong's Mansion
- Nanluoguxiang Hutongs
- Beihai Park
- Jingshan Park
- Temple of Confucius & Imperial Academy
- The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
- Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)