Shichahai, the Mirror of Tradition and Youth – 99 Romantic Landmarks to Wander in Beijing

Author: Qiu Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Shichahai is located behind Beihai in Beijing and is composed of Xianhai and Houhai. It is a very beautiful scenic area. Surrounding it are many princely residences and gardens, such as the well-preserved Prince Gong's Mansion and Prince Chun's Mansion. It was also the main commercial area of old Beijing, with the former residences of Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo nearby. This book captures some fragments of images about the ancient history and vibrant present of Shichahai: hutongs, princely residences, famous people's former residences, temples, bars, universities, and siheyuan. It explores the cultural and fashionable charm of Beijing. Deeply hidden in the old streets along Haizibei, there are countless legends and traditions waiting to be discovered with the youth.
Beijing, as the imperial capital, has passed more than 850 years, and Shichahai, this former royal garden, has also gone through generations with the ups and downs of history. The fragments of history and the stories within are imprinted beneath this land. Ancient legends are carried on every old building, telling the tales of time and recording the years of youth. Today, Shichahai is no longer just a symbol of antiquity and history. It is more about the vitality and youth bestowed by the times. Countless small bars are scattered along both sides of the lake, neighboring the weathered old town houses. Though they are a contrast of the times, they coexist peacefully. Perhaps, this is the most unique charm of Shichahai today—it gathers civilizations of different eras and sketches them all into the same picture of style.