Things to Do in Shichahai
Shichahai, Beijing: A relaxed, residential neighborhood with a watery heart. The pace slows to pedal-boat speed. Evenings hum with casual, convivial energy along the bar streets.
Shichahai is three linked lakes in Beijing's historic core, a watery retreat that has drawn city dwellers for centuries. Willow branches brush the surface. Pedal boats glide. The air smells humid, earthy from the lakes, laced with the sweet scent of candied hawthorn berries hawked from street carts. Along the hutongs that spiderweb from the shore, bicycle wheels whirr on old stones and mahjong tiles clatter inside courtyard homes. Locals fish for carp in the dawn mist. Families share plates of crispy fried dough twists by the water at dusk. The district feels quieter, more residential than the Forbidden City. Taste zhajiangmian noodles in a family shop. Feel the cool breeze off Houhai Lake after a warm day. Somehow the neighborhood keeps its everyday rhythm while visitors hunt lakeside bars and historic mansions.
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Top Attractions in Shichahai
Prince Gong's Mansion
Wander the large, meticulously restored gardens of this 19th-century royal residence. Intricate wooden latticework adorns the pavilions. Water trickles from miniature landscape features. Covered walkways give cool shade, a stark contrast to the sun-baked streets outside.
Silver Ingot Bridge
Stand on this arched stone bridge where Houhai and Qianhai meet. Old rooftops and modern bars frame a postcard view, willow trees in the foreground. Bicycle bells chorus as commuters cross. The worn stone feels solid underfoot.
Hutong exploration by rickshaw
A three-wheeled pedicab glides silently through narrow alleyways behind the lakes. Laundry lines stretch between gray brick walls. Coal smoke drifts from a winter stove. Your driver points out carved stone door guardians that mark a former official's home.
Houhai Lake pedal boating
Rent a brightly colored pedal boat for a duck's-eye view of lakeside life. The water rocks gently. Laughter echoes across the surface. Courtyard homes and bars rise grandly from the shore.
Guanghua Temple
This active Buddhist temple ranks among Beijing's most significant. Sandalwood incense scents the air. A golden Sakyamuni Buddha gleams. Monks chant low during prayer sessions.
Where to Eat in Shichahai
Kao Rou Ji
Traditional Beijing barbecue
Fangshan Restaurant at Gongwangfu
Imperial cuisine
Haidilao Hot Pot
Sichuan hot pot
Street stalls along Yandai Xiejie
Beijing street snacks
Nali Patio restaurants
Eclectic international
Shichahai After Dark
East Shore Live Jazz Cafe
A cozy, intimate venue right on the lake. Dedicated jazz fans and curious travelers mingle.
The Bookworm
More than a bar, this is a literary institution. Walls of books. Author talks. Quiet drinks.
Lotus Blue
A sleek, multi-level lounge with a terrace overlooking the water. Well-dressed night owls gather late.
No Name Bar
A long-standing, no-frills hole-in-the-wall bar. Cheap beer. Zero pretense. Locals love it.
Getting Around Shichahai
Explore the lakes on foot or by bicycle. Rental shops near subway exits charge little. Take Line 8 to Shichahai Station at the northwest corner. Line 6's Beihai North Station sits a short walk from the eastern shore. Taxis cost mid-range but can be hard to hail on narrow hutongs after dark. A pedicab tour costs more but saves you from getting lost in the labyrinth.
Where to Stay in Shichahai
Peking International Youth Hostel
Budget, budget-friendly
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