Shichahai, Historical lakes district in central Beijing, China
Shichahai contains three interconnected lakes - Qianhai, Xihai, and Houhai - covering 147 hectares with traditional houses and ancient temples along their shores.
The area emerged as the northern terminus of the Grand Canal during the Yuan Dynasty, connecting Beijing with Hangzhou through a network of waterways.
Ten Buddhist and Taoist temples near the lakes influenced the name Shichahai, which translates to 'Lake of Ten Temples' in Chinese.
Visitors reach the lakes via Line 6 of Beijing Subway to Beihai North Station or buses 5, 60, 107, and 124 to the Drum Tower stop.
The lakes transform into natural ice rinks during winter months, while summer brings opportunities for boating and waterside dining.
Location: Shichahai Subdistrict
GPS coordinates: 39.93802,116.38706
Latest update: May 27, 2025 14:03
Beijing offers photographers a mix of imperial palaces, Buddhist temples, traditional hutongs, and contemporary architecture. The city combines the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Forbidden City with modern structures like the CCTV Headquarters and Bird's Nest stadium. Historic sites such as the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace stand alongside the 798 Art Zone and Sanlitun's bars. From the Bell and Drum Towers to the National Centre for the Performing Arts, this collection includes locations across multiple districts. Nanluoguxiang Hutong and Yandaixiejie Hutong showcase traditional alleyways, while Beihai Park and Jingshan Park provide elevated viewpoints. Temples like Yonghe and Fayuan, plus the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, add to the city's architectural variety for social media content.
Temple of Heaven
6.4 km
Prince Gong's Mansion
682 m
Palace of Eternal Longevity
1.3 km
賢良祠
479 m
Gulou and Zhonglou
327 m
Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling
892 m
Yandai Xiejie
136 m
Site of the former Fu Jen Catholic University
874 m
Guanghua Temple
446 m
Dalongshanhuguo Monastery
1.6 km
Huode Zhenjun Temple
346 m
Home of Guomoruo
430 m
Site of the Imperial University of Peking
1.6 km
Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum, Beijing
1.2 km
Wanning Bridge
415 m
Ancestral Temple for Wen Tianxiang
1.5 km
Yinding Bridge
557 m
北京可园
1.3 km
Xiancantan
776 m
会贤堂
346 m
Beijing Drum Tower
273 m
Kuanjie Protestant Church
985 m
Former residence of Mao Dun, Beijing
969 m
Shuntian Prefectural College
1.5 km
盛新中学与佑贞女中旧址
982 m
广福观
661 m
Beijing Bell tower
395 m
Fayuan Mosque
1.7 kmReviews
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