Baihai Park is situated in the Xicheng District and has a history of more
than 1,000 years. This park was built up through five dynasties, the Liao
(916-1125), the Jin (1115-1234), the Yuan (1271-1368), the Ming (1368-1644) and
the Qing (1644-1911). Though it was a royal garden, it remains grand with a hint
of exquisite elegance as well. It covers an area of 69 hectares (171 acres),
with over a half covered by water. The whole park can be divided into four
scenic areas: Qionghua Islet (Jade Flower Islet), Circular City, the eastern
bank area and the northern bank area.
The Qionghua Islet which is densely distributed with halls, rockeries and
pavilions stands at the centre of the park. The Yong'an Temple (Temple of
Everlasting Peace) is the largest building complex which is composed of several
halls, a bell tower and a drum tower. The temple used to be a place of worship
for the emperors and their empresses. A white pagoda which stands out on the top
of the islet is the symbol of the park. This Lamaist pagoda, 35.9 meters (117.8
feet ) high was built in 1651 where Buddhist lections, alms bowl and sarira
remains of the Buddha's body are laid. West of the temple are the halls and
pavilions where emperors of the Qing Dynasty had a rest, discussed official
business or amused themselves. In the north of the islet, there is a two-storey
corridor that offers an extensive view.
In the southeast of the park, the Circular City is surrounded by a wall
and is in fact an exquisite garden. The Chengguang Hall with yellow glazed tiles
and green glazed eaves is quite dignified. Emperors of the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644) watched firework displays on it. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been
converted into a Buddhist chapel. A statue of Buddha that is carved out of a
whole piece of white jade is enshrined in the main hall. In front of the
Chengguang Hall, there is pavilion with a huge wine vessel laid out. The urn is
engraved with a dragon in cloud and a sea horse on waves which was once used to
store the wine by Kublai Khan, the first and brave emperor of the Yuan Dynasty.
Both the pine and cypress tree are around 700~800 years old, so it is worth
taking a closer look.
As to the bank areas, the eastern bank enjoys its tranquility while the
northern bank is very crowded with artificial structures. What is most
conspicuous on the eastern bank is a lovely courtyard hidden in the trees. The
courtyard was built as the former residence of emperors in the Qing Dynasty. The
traditional buildings were elaborately designed, with a clear pool in the
center.
On the northern bank area, the Five-Dragon Pavilions and the Nine-Dragon
Wall are must-sees for visitors. The Five-Dragon Pavilions are said to be the
place where the emperors went fishing and enjoyed the bright moon. The five
pavilions are connected by a sigmate bridge, which resembles a swimming dragon
when seen from distance. The Colored Glazed Pavilion is a religious building and
quite a dazzling attraction. It has a bright yellow roof and 1,376 small statues
of Buddha made of colored glaze are engraved on the outside wall. The
Nine-Dragon Wall which was built in 1756 is the most delicate of China's three
surviving nine-dragon walls. The wall, about 27 meters (89 feet) long is inlaid
with colored glaze and has nine vivid dragons that play with pearls on either
side.