北海公园

北海公园
This is another park which was once an Imperial Garden. Quite a large one with a lake and an island.
First impression of the park is the number of lily plants in the waters and the swaying willow trees that line the lake.
On top of the island is a white stupa and a temple.
Oh.. one can rent these pedal boats by the hour for a "leisurely tour" of the lake.
View of the lake from the top of the island.
White Stupa. Reminds me of those found in Tibet.
View of JingShan Park....
and the Forbidden City.
At the lakeside of the island, one can take a ferry to get the other side of the lake. The photo above was taken while waiting for the ferry.
Ticket for the ferry.
The curved corridor along one side of the island.
The other end of the Beihai Park. More structures like the Five-Dragons Pavilions. There were people gathered singing songs and dancing. Quite loudly.
The emperor built this for his mother.
An important feature to visit is the Nine-Dragon Wall. It was built in 1756 and is one of three walls of its kind in China. Nine complete dragons playing in the clouds decorate both sides of the wall.
Close-up of the center dragon.
Sunset at the park.

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Chanced upon a street hawker selling blown-animal-shaped candy.
Apparently, this used to be just another back alley which was converted into a popular attraction when restaurants and pubs started to set up here. The shopping's really not great (touristy) but the food does look interesting.

One of the back alley running perpendicular to the NanLuoGuXiang.