Shichahai
1 min readShichahai is an historic scenic area in the north of central Beijing，China.It is located to the north-west of the Forbidden City and north-west of the Beihai Lake.Shichahai consists of 3 lakes namely Qianhai，Xihai and Houhai.It was called the Riverbank in imperial times.Shichahai occupies an area of 147 hectares and dates back to the Jin Dynasty.From the time of the Yuan Dynasty it was the northernmost part of the Grand Canal linking Hangzhou in the south to Beijing in the North of China.Thus the Shichahai area was the most important commercial district with all kinds of activities going on.It harbors several temples and mansions.In the summertime visitors can rent boats to paddle on the lakes，while in the wintertime tourists can go ice-skating.Around the lake there are 10 famous Taoist and Buddhist temples and a few formal royal mansions and gardens，among which the most well known are the Prince Gong Mansion and the Prince Chun Mansion.
Location
Sichahai District，Beijing
Admission Fee
The lake:Free
The museums nearby may charge differently.
Opening hour
The lake:All day
The museums nearby open at different time.
Transportation
Take bus No.13，42，107，111，118，810，823，850 to the north gate of Beihai.
