The Beihai embankments are not just paths around the lake, but a well-thought-out route almost 3.8 kilometers long, from which the best views of the entire park open up. The shoreline is level, without steep ascents, so walking here is comfortable at any age. If you are tired, you can shorten the route and cross the lake by ferry.
What Grows on the Embankments
The main decoration of the shores is the weeping willows. There are more than 300 of them here, and most were planted back in the middle of the 20th century. For Beihai, the willow is not just a tree, but part of the image: it is specially pruned so that the crown looks "imperial" — whole and well-kept, without chaotically hanging branches. In spring, when the willows are just covered with a tender green haze, they are reflected in the water and create that very "regal" look that photographers value so much.
Besides the willows, peach trees, apple trees, and lilacs grow along the shores. In April, the western shore turns into a pink sea — peach trees bloom here, and against the backdrop of the White Pagoda on the opposite shore, classic postcard shots are obtained. A little later, at the end of April — beginning of May, the park fills with the fragrance of lilac.
Lotuses: The Main Summer Spectacle
• Lotuses are the calling card of Beihai in July and August. The best points for viewing them:
• At the entrance to the southern gates — a large pond right at the gates, where lotuses are reflected together with the White Pagoda
• The western side of Qionghua Island — a view of the flowers from the water and from the shore
• The area of the Five Dragon Pavilions — lotuses frame the pavilions, creating an especially picturesque scene
• The peak of blooming falls in July — beginning of August. If you want to see the buds in full bloom, come before noon — after lunch many varieties close.
Boat Stations
Nine piers operate on the lake, and each offers its own perspective on the park.
Ferries (crossings):
From the northern shore to Qionghua Island — 20 yuan per person
Short crossings (for example, from the western shore to the island) — 5 yuan
Recreational boats:
• Hand-rowed boats — from 100 yuan per hour (without motor) to 180 yuan (with electric motor). This is the only place in Beijing where genuine hand-rowed boats have been preserved in memory of the film "Children of the Motherland"
• Pedal boats — 120–180 yuan per hour depending on size
• Electric boats — 180–220 yuan per hour
• Boats with a rower — 40 yuan per half hour per person
Boat stations operate from 8:30 to 17:00, ticket sales stop at 16:00. The best time for boating is early morning or after 16:00, when the light becomes soft and there are fewer boats on the water.
Practical Tips
• Route length: a full circuit of the lake — about 3.8 km, which takes approximately 1.5–2 hours of leisurely walking
• Best time: morning before 9:00 (fewer people) or evening after 17:00 (soft light, beautiful reflections)
• Seasonality: in spring — blooming of peaches and willows, in summer — lotuses, in autumn — golden leaves, in winter — a frozen lake with a view of the snow-covered pagoda
The Beihai embankments are a place where you can simply walk along the water and watch how the light changes, how the willows bend to the surface, how boats slowly glide past. There is no need to hurry here: the lake itself sets the rhythm.
