Yinding Bridge (银锭桥)
A small hump-backed bridge at the narrows between Qianhai and Houhai, long famed for its westward view of the distant Western Hills. It is the classic photo spot and a natural turning point on a lakeside walk.
Hutongs & Historic Neighborhoods
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Shichahai (Houhai & Qianhai): Complete Visitor Guide
Three linked lakes, a bar street, and the best evening walk in old Beijing
Shichahai is a cluster of three connected lakes — Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai — on the northwest edge of the old city, ringed by hutongs, willow trees and a lively bar street. It is the best evening walk in central Beijing, equal parts scenery and nightlife. This guide covers the rickshaw tours (and how to handle their hard-sell), Yinding Bridge, Prince Gong's Mansion, and how to enjoy the lakes after dark.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- Open 24 hours; bars and boats keep their own hours
- Last entry
- n/a — public lakeside, always open
- Closed
- Open daily
- Suggested time
- 2–3 hours, best in the evening
- Ticket price
- Free to walk; boat and rickshaw rides cost extra
- Best season
- Summer evenings; winter ice skating
- Booking
- Not required — walk in
- Nearest metro
- Line 8, Shichahai (Exit A) or Line 2, Gulou Dajie
Do You Need to Book?
Shichahai is a public lakeside area with no entry fee or reservation, so there is nothing to book for walking. Boat rides, rickshaw tours and bars operate independently and set their own prices — the only real decision is whether to take a rickshaw, and if so, to agree the fare first.
- Walk in freely from any side; the lakefront is public and open around the clock.
- Take the metro to Shichahai (Exit A) or Gulou Dajie and follow the water.
- If you want a rickshaw tour, agree a total price and route before you sit down.
- Boats and paddle craft can be hired at the jetties; confirm the per-hour rate on the spot.
Getting There
By metro
Metro Line 8 to Shichahai Station (Exit A) or Line 2 to Gulou Dajie, then a 5-minute walk to the Qianhai waterfront.
By taxi
Show the driver 什刹海 (Shichahai) or 后海 (Houhai); both are well known.
Entrances
There is no gate — enter along the lakefront paths from any point. The Drum Tower sits at the east end and Prince Gong's Mansion to the southwest.
What to See Inside
The Houhai bar street
The north shore of Houhai is lined with bars, live-music clubs and lakeside restaurants that light up after dark. Loud and touristy, but lively, and the water reflections are genuinely pretty.
Prince Gong's Mansion (恭王府)
The largest and best-preserved princely mansion in Beijing, once home to a Qing court favourite and later Heshen. Its gardens are among the finest private gardens in the city.
Qianhai and Xihai waterways
The quieter western and southern arms of the lake system offer willow-shaded paths and fewer crowds, especially around Xihai, where local life carries on away from the bar strip.
Photo Gallery
Lakeside Pleasure Grounds for Six Centuries
Shichahai's lakes are fed by the same spring system that supplied the Yuan-era canal network, and the area became a favoured retreat for officials and merchants from the Yuan and Ming dynasties onward. The name refers to the 'ten temples' (shicha) that once stood around the water.
In the Qing dynasty the lakeshore filled with the residences of princes and bannermen, including the mansion later called Prince Gong's. Through the 20th century the area declined into dense housing, then from the 1990s revived as a leisure district of bars, restaurants and rickshaw tours.
Today Shichahai is a protected historic-water area drawing heavy evening crowds, yet the basic geography — three linked lakes, willow banks and hutong streets — is unchanged. It remains the most atmospheric place in central Beijing to walk after dark, and in winter the frozen lake becomes a public skating ground.
Suggested Route
- 1. Start at the Drum and Bell Towers Begin at the east end by the towers, then walk west down to the Qianhai waterfront as the light fades.
- 2. Cross Yinding Bridge Pause on the little bridge between Qianhai and Houhai for the famous hills view and a first photo.
- 3. Walk the Houhai north shore Follow the bar-lined north bank; soak up the music and lights, or skip it for the quieter south side.
- 4. Visit Prince Gong's Mansion Detour southwest to the mansion gardens for a dose of Qing-era grandeur away from the crowds.
- 5. End on Xihai at dusk Finish along the calmer Xihai path, where locals walk and the bar noise fades.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not accept a rickshaw ride without agreeing the total price and route first.
- Avoid the hard-sell photographers and 'free' tea invites along the north shore.
- Skip the bar street if you want peace; use the south and Xihai paths instead.
- Do not swim or lean over unrailed sections after dark; the paths are uneven.
- Bring a light jacket in summer evenings — the lakeside gets cool after sunset.
Combine It With
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shichahai free to visit?
Yes. Walking the lakeside is free and there is no ticket or booking. You pay only for extras — boat rides, rickshaw tours and drinks at the bars. The public paths are open around the clock.
What is there to do at Shichahai in the evening?
Walk the lit lakefront, listen to the open-air bars on Houhai's north shore, take a pedal boat, or simply sit by the water. The area is at its best after sunset, when the willows and bridges are strung with lights.
Are the rickshaw tours worth it?
They are a fun way to see the hutongs if you negotiate first. Agree a flat price and route before boarding, as drivers commonly push add-on stops and tips. If you prefer, the lanes are just as enjoyable on foot.
How long should I spend at Shichahai?
Two to three hours covers a relaxed lakeside walk, Yinding Bridge and perhaps a drink. Add Prince Gong's Mansion and allow half a day. The evening is the prime time, so plan to arrive before sunset.
When is the best time to visit Shichahai?
Summer and early autumn evenings are ideal, warm and lively, with the bar street in full swing. Winter offers the novelty of ice skating on the frozen lake. Weekday nights are calmer than weekends, which get crowded.