Beihai Park

The favourite of most Beijingers, Beihai Park has a wonderful atmosphere all year round and is one of the biggest and most picturesque in the city. Over a thousand years old, it served as an imperial pleasure ground during five dynasties. Its 69 hectares (170 acres) are filled with halls, pavilions, gateways, gardens and general greenery in the summer. Its main feature is the Tibetan White Dagoba temple on the lake’s central Qiong islet. You can take a boat on to the lake when it’s not frozen and the park is also popular with old people exercise here in the mornings.