Shichahai is a distinctive historical and cultural scenic spot in Beijing. Shichahai includes the three waters and adjacent areas of the Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai, echoing the "Previous Three Seas" and commonly known as the "Rear Three Seas". This is the largest and most well-preserved historical block in Beijing. It is named after the original ten Buddhist temples around it. In the Qing Dynasty, it has become a place for entertainment and summer, and one of the scenic spots in Yanjing.
I. Traffic Guide
• Subway: You can take Line 8 to Shichahai Station, and it takes 3 minutes to walk from Exit A to the Silver Ingot Bridge; you can also take Line 6 to Nanluoguxiang Station, Exit E out of the station. If you have enough time, you can visit Nanluoguxiang.
• Public transportation: There are many bus routes nearby, and you can check the specific routes according to the place of departure.
• Self-driving: Parking around is difficult and the parking fee is expensive. It is not recommended to drive by yourself.
II. The best time to visit
• Spring (March-May): Peach red and willow green, suitable for flower viewing and taking photos.
• Summer (June-August): You can take a boat tour, and it will be cooler in the evening.
• Autumn (September-November): Ginkgo is golden, maple leaves are like fire, and the scenery is pleasant.
• Winter (December-February): If it snows, the ancient buildings and the snow scene are interesting, and you can also skate at the Qianhai Ice Rink.
III. Tickets and opening hours
• Shicha Sea Scenic Area itself is free and open all day.
• Some scenic spots need to buy tickets separately, such as Gongwang Mansion, Bell and Drum Tower, etc., and there are restrictions on opening hours. You can check the official information of each scenic spot in advance.
IV. Must-visit scenic spots
• Cigarette Bag Diagonal Street: Formed in the Yuan Dynasty, it is one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing. You can visit the former site of Xiaoshidun and the former site of Xinyuan Bath in the Fish Hall. You can also take photos on the red wall of Guangfu Pavilion and send postcards in the Daqing Post Office.
• Bell and Drum Tower: As the northern starting point of the central axis of Beijing, it is the core landmark of the world cultural heritage "Beijing Central Axis". You can buy tickets to visit the building.
• Wanning Bridge: It is the oldest existing building on the central axis. The water beast in the four corners of the bridge is worth seeing. The northeast side is the original carving of the Yuan Dynasty, and the rest of the triangle is the Ming Dynasty.
• Fire Temple: Built in the Tang Dynasty, it is the oldest existing fire god ** place next to the central axis. The temple is quiet, and there are traces of repair in the Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties between the carved beams and painted buildings.
• Silver Ingot Bridge: Located at the junction of Qianhai and Houhai, it is the protagonist of the eight scenic spots in Yanjing in the past, "Silver Ingot Viewing Mountain". Standing on the bridge, you can see the lake view, distant mountains and bell and drum towers at the same time.
• Gongwang Mansion: It is the largest royal palace in the Qing Dynasty, with gorgeous architecture and exquisite gardens. You can find the "Fuzi stele" of Emperor Kangxi's handwriting in the garden.
• Song Qingling's former residence: It is an elegant courtyard with a century-old begonia tree in the courtyard, and the "phoenix tree" in the back garden in autumn also has a different scenery.
V. Travel route
• Tribute to the classic route: Cigarette Bag Diagonal Street (Xiaoshidun, the former site of the Fish Hall → the former site of Xinyuan Bath) → Shichahai Cultural Exhibition Center. The whole process takes about 2.5-3 hours, and if you have an in-depth experience, it will take about 3.5-4.5 hours.
• World Cultural Heritage Tour: Bell and Drum Tower → Wanning Bridge → Fire Temple → Qianhai Cruise Terminal → Silver Ingot Bridge → Xihai Wetland Park → Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall. The whole journey is about 4.5 kilometers, and it takes 3.5-4 hours on foot. Interspersed cruise ships can save 1 hour.
• Parent-child route: Nanguanfang Hutong → Gongwang Mansion → Song Qingling's former residence → Yanbao Xie Street. You can let the children listen to old stories in the hutong, make kites in the non-heritage studio, and touch the history in the former residence of the palace.
VI. Play items
• Cruise: You can choose a rocking boat or a leisure boat at the Qianhai cruise terminal. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the gray walls and tiles on both sides of the boat. The ticket price is about 60 yuan/person.
• Hutong tour: You can choose to visit the surrounding hutongs on foot or by tricycle to feel the atmosphere of old Beijing's life. You can also experience making kites in the kite studio in Nanguanfang Hutong.
VII. Food recommendation
• Barbecue season: Located on the bank of the Silver Ingot Bridge, it is a old restaurant. Roasted mutton and sesame sauce candy cake are worth a try, about 127 yuan per person.
• Tongheju: Shandong cuisine restaurant, "three non-sticky" and grilled sea cucumber with green onions are the signature dishes, about 150 yuan per capita.
• Aier Li Ji: At No. 8 Aier Hutong, the hand-cut fresh mutton is of good quality, and the sesame pancakes are also delicious, about 80 yuan per person.
• Gulou Makai Restaurant: Hunan cuisine mixed with Beijing flavor, Mao's braised pork and double-flavored eel are very distinctive, about 100 yuan per person.
VIII. Suggestions for accommodation
• High-end hotels: Beijing Waldorf Hotel, Beijing Bvlgari Hotel, etc. are recommended, providing high-quality services and facilities, close to Shichahai, convenient to travel.
• Special homestays: There are many special homestays around Shichahai, such as Siheyuan homestays located in Hutongs, which allow visitors to experience the living atmosphere of old Beijing, which can be booked through the online travel platform.
IX. Tips for playing
• There are many slate roads in the scenic spot, and it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
• The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, especially in autumn and winter, so you need to bring a coat.
• If you need to take a cruise, it is recommended to buy a ferry ticket 1 hour in advance.
• It is inconvenient to park by car, so it is recommended to take public transportation.