The Bar Street in Hou Hai of Beijing

To appreciate the essence of ancient Beijing, one must tour the lanes (Hutong). And to visit the lanes, one has to go to Hou Hai

For a waterless city, Shicha Hai is a valuable water area for Beijing. It is composed of Qian Hai, Houhai and Xi Hai, which are connected to Bei Hai and Zhongnan Hai. The people can fish, enjoy the louts, appreciate the mountain view and wait for the sunset here.

Walking on the tree-lined path on the bank of Shicha Hai, we can see the old men carrying a birdcage and chatting, the lovers sitting on the couches with their chairs leaning against the trees, the fishermen holding an umbrella stepping on the fallen trees in early autumn and people standing on the YindingBridge waiting for the sunset. This is one of the top 8 scenery in Beijing, namely, watching the mountain on the YindingBridge.

Around Shicha Hai, there are the buildings such as the Bell Tower and Guanghua Temple, the former residences of Madam Song Qingling and Guo Moruo, the museums for Xu Beihong and Mei Lanfang, the residences of Prince Gong, Prince Shun and Prince Tao, and the typical culture of common Beijing citizens, such as Yandai Xie Street, Ganlu Hutong, Da Shibei Hutong and Xiao Shibei Hutong. They are the best choice to experience the Beijing people s life.

Even a 3-day tour is not enough to have a profound knowledge of Shicha Hai. But most tourist don t have that much time. Now let s imagine we will have a one-day tour and start with the rear gate of BeihaiPark (across the Shicha Hai).

Schedule:

Morning: Visit the residence of Prince Gong (2 hours), former residence of Guo Moruo (1 hour) and then walk along the West Road 1 of Qian Hai till you reach YindingBridge.

Noon: Lunch at Barbecue Season (1 hour)

Afternoon: Walk to the north bank of Hou Hai and enjoy the courtyard houses. Then visit the former residence of Madam Song Qingling (1 hour) before walking to the Xi Hai, south bank of Hou Hai to the YindingBridge. Walk through the Yandai Xie Street to the Bell Tower Street. Visit the BellTower before its closing time at 4 p.m., climb the almost 100 stairs and watch the WhiteTower in Bei Hai and the roofs of the ancient buildings.

Night: Enjoy the best Hunan cuisine in Makai Restaurant in the downstairs of the BellTower, or have the instant mutton in Manfu Restaurant at the Di an Men (just one stop away from the BellTower). (As a matter of fact, it is not important whether the food is the original flavor. Beijing, just like Shenzhen, pools all the Chinese cuisines. Only the Beijing snacks are the local feature of Beijing.) Walk about 500 meters and go back to the rear gate of Hou Hai. Rent a boat to tour Shicha Hai at night, enjoying the night view and the music of the pipa. You can also order the boat meal, which is a little bit expensive.

Boat: 180 Yuan, the boat can hold 6-8 people.

Ticket: 15 Yuan for residence of Prince Gong; 5 Yuan for former residence of Guo Moruo; 8 Yuan for former residence of Madam Song Qingling; 5 Yuan for DrumTown, 3 Yuan for BellTower (the prices about 3 years ago)

Transport: In the rear gate of Hou Hai, there are terminals for Bus 13 and 42, electric bus 107 and 111 and special route 701.