Shichahai Scenic Area of History and Culture

Shichahai is a scenic area of history and culture in Beijing and one of its historical and cultural protection zones. It lies in Xicheng District, the center of Beijing city, and is close to its central axis. With a 336,000-square-meter water-covered area connected with Zhongnanhai, it is the only open scenic area with a wide expanse of water in Beijing city.

It is an important witness of the history of Beijing's planning and construction, having the largest and best preserved age-old block in the city. In the Yuan Dynasty it was the capital's center for commerce and grain transport. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was home to manyhigh officials and men of letters. After the Manchu takeover, the emperor-led Pure Yellow Banner troops were stationed here. In 1992, the Standing Conference of the Beijing Government named it a scenic area of history and culture (hereafter referred to as Shichahai). In 2002, Shichahai and its environs, which cover 1,467,000 square meters altogether, was designated as one of the 25 historical and cultural protection zones of the Old City.

Shichahai has beautiful and unique scenery. A famous essay written in ancient times says that in spring it is like the West Lake in Hangzhou; in summer, Qinghuai River in Nanjing; in autumn, Dongting Lake in Hu'nan. Shichahai and its environs have the densest collection of cultural tourism recourses, having altogether 40 historic sites under protection, with 3 of them are under national protection. The best known ones of them are 1) Prince Gong's Mansion (refer to “Prince Gong's Mansion”), which used to be the residence of He Shen, the most avaricious minister in the Qing Dynasty; 2) Yinding Bridge, known as the best place to view mountains from above water.

Shichahai has rich historical legacies in a number of well preserved Hutongs, Quadrangle Dwellings, mansions and gardens; it has dense cultural heritages in temples, halls, and distinguished persons' former residences. These are harmoniously blended with natural scenery by distinctive folk customs. In recent years, bars, and homely restaurants and hotels inQuadrangle Dwellings have sprouted in its neighborhood, making this place more fashionable. The coexistence of tradition and fashion attracts about 5 million tourists from home and abroad each year. In 2005, it was listed by Chinese National Geography among the five best city blocks in China for “being fashionable next door to Zhongnanhai”.

Each year, the cultural tourism festival is held in Shichahai. “Hutong Tour by rickshaw” and its updated version “Shichahai——in-depth tour of old Beijing” have become well-known tourism brands of Beijing. Tourists may experience genuine Beijing culture by joining tours of princes' mansions, old streets, ancient temples, former residences, city gate towers, Hutongs, homely feasts, boating, bars, and accommodation in Quadrangle Dwellings. As a window to “humanistic Olympics” of Beijing, Shichahai is playing an important role in welcoming the 2008 Olympic Games.

Address: opposite the north gate of Beihai Park, Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Publishes at : 07-09-23 21:53

Url : http://www.asiavtour.com/China_Beijing_Attractions_a147_s4_c8072.html