Lakes and Rivers in Beijing

If you know where to look, Beijing is a city of wonderful lakes and relaxing rivers. In fact, the Forbidden City was built next to a beautiful lake called BeiHai to take full advantage of the cooling wind sweeping over the lake in summer. Essentially, the lake itself determined where the Forbidden City would be, which is now the epicenter of China's capital city. Above BeiHai is HouHai, a more popular tourist spot because it is fringed in bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and cafes. A beautiful and stunning nighttime walking area, HouHai has become one of Beijing's most beautiful water spots.

Hou Hai offers many attractions, from a walking hutong and lakeside tour to sailing on the water and, in winter, ice-skating. You'll find endless rafting and people-watching opportunities on HouHai and, if you are not into water you can simply shop around the edges, enjoying the view.

Around the Forbidden City is a moat that served as a line of defense for the city, but which today offers beautiful water-side photography between Jingshan park and the palace. One of Beijing's most iconic pictures is of that very moat.

In summer, when the royalty of olden days couldn't take the city heat, they would vacate the Forbidden City and head north to the Summer Palace, a massive complex atop a hill near a large lake. The lake cooled the compound, making it the perfect summer retreat.

If you still haven't gotten enough of Beijing's water activities, head to the Aquarium, located inside the zoo which has several lakes and rivers of its own to boast of. The Aquarium is the perfect way to round out your water-tour of the city, with a glimpse of what is under the surface rather than reflected on it.

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