China Travel Guide

Explore the hutongs (ancient alleys) - and the bars and cafes - surounding these peaceful lakes, by foot or by ricksaw. HouHai is at the heart of the tradional hutong area of central Beijing

QianHai ('Qian Lake', Chinese: 前海) is situated between BeiHai and HouHai, just north of BeiHai Park. QianHai is at the heart of the tradional hutong area of central Beijing.

Along the west ancillary of QianHai is Lotus Lane, a adorable river-side pedestrianised lane with a array of cafes, tea houses, confined and boutiques that alloy avant-garde and acceptable elements in their design. There are aswell some cafes, restaurants and confined on the east side. Lotus Lane is alone a few years old but the origins of the 'Back Lakes' breadth as a contemporary alliance go aback further.

Some say that it all began if ex-concert cellist Bai Feng opened his 'No Name' bar (it is still there today). This abode had no assurance and abounding up by word-of-mouth. Then the arena was set for a accomplished new bearing of beautiful establishments and the reinvigoration of an age-old area. The areas abutting to HouHai, QianHai and XiHai ('West Lake', the northernmost lake) accept become more upmarket and bohemian. Today, these areas are as accepted with tourists as with the bounded trendsetters.

QianHai is especially popular in the evening as the artistic modern lighting and neon, mixed with traditional red lanterns, creates a lively and inviting atmosphere. One can even take a romantic river boat out on the lake with softly glowing lanterns and a choice of drinks and snacks.

From the south of QianHai (Di'AnMen DongDaJie), follow the lake northwards to reach the popular area where QianHai joins HouHai at JinDingQiao (JinDing bridge, 'Gold Ingot' bridge). Just to the east from here is the road from JingShan Park to the Drum Tower (Di'AnMenWai DaJie).

HouHai

HouHai ('Hou lake') is situated between QianHai and XiHai, just north of QianHai. HouHai is in the center of the tradional hutong area of central Beijing. The ancient Drum and Bell Towers are nearby.

Around the south and along the west side of HouHai are a variety of teahouses, cafes, confined and boutiques that amalgamate avant-garde and acceptable elements in their different designs. There are aswell some cafes, restaurants and confined on the east side.

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The area of Houhai, QianHai and XiHai collectively is generally referred referred to as ShiChaHai. The water for these lakes comes via canal past the north of BeijingZoo from KunMing lake at the Summer Palace. In turn, the water in KunMing lake comes from condensate in the Western Fragrant Hills.

HouHai is accepted daytime and evening with small shops in hidden alleys and lots of rickshaws passing by. In the evening, trendy lighting and neon mixes with traditional red lanterns to actualize a active yet adequate atmosphere.

If you take a rickshaw tour around the HouHai area, there are two actual spots that you are actual acceptable to visit. China's last emperor, Puyi, was born in a mansion near HouHai. Another courtyard house (SiHeYuan), in this case a very large one, was the longtime residence of Song QingLing, the wife of Sun YatSen. Both these mansions are now museums. The expansive gardens and ponds accommodate a glimpse of what life was like for the privileged before the Communists, who clearly frowned on such extravagance. Then there is Prince Gong's Mansion (WangFuGong) that is abundant in its own section of this guide. A abbreviate ambit to the east lie the Drum and Bell Towers. Not far to the north west is the massive DeShengMen Gate, just beyond the second ring road.

There are affluence of charming bars along both sides of HouHai also, abnormally around the southern end and you will still find interesting places even as you stroll further north to where HouHai meets XiHai ('West Lake').

Just north of XiHai (west side) is JiShuiTan subway station. In ancient times, there were docks at JiShuiTan where goods were unloaded for the city of Ji (a actual old name for what is now Beijing) after being transported along China's Grand Canal from HangZhou. Some of the boats docked in the Back Lakes (XiHai, HouHai, QianHai and ZhongNanHai).

This area, just north and west from the Forbidden City was a accumulation center for the imperial palace - and aswell a place to relax for courtiers, poets and painters working in the old imperial city that surrounded the Forbidden City.

The Grand Canal dates from the 5th century BC. During the Yuan Dynasty (14th century) the aqueduct was widened, the Back Lakes were continued and docks here were thriving. The area is often referred to as ShiChaHai.

QianHai and HouHai: Photo Gallery