Beihai Park
Beihai Park is just to the northwest of the Forbidden City. It is elongated north to south, and features a large lake, which dates back centuries, in its northern part. Kelly and I spent one pleasant Sunday afternoon there.
How's this for a classy map of the place?
In the middle of the lake is Jade Island, with its famous White Dagoba, a Buddhist Shrine. From the top, one can get a perspective of the Forbidden City.
This is how Jade Island looks from the north end of the lake.
The walkway from the mainland to the island, with the White Dagoba as backdrop, makes a natural site for taking pictures.
Climbing the stairs to the top of the shrine: it's steeper than it looks.
The Jade Urn, a notable feature on the mainland near the park's south gate.
At the top of the shrine, the visitor is met by this wall of miniature Buddhas.
The view straight south from the top of the shrine. The beginnings of the Forbidden City can just be glimpsed in the upper right.
The view to the southeast shows the Forbidden City more clearly (in the mist).
Down below again, and walking toward the north end of the lake, where Kelly wanted to see the Wall of the Seven Dragons. Being a dragon myself, I naturally wanted to see it, too.
The lake as we were walking north. Note all the little swan boats.
Here it is! The Screen of the Nine Dragons. Since they are different colors, you can verify the number for yourself. (Actually, there were 18 dragons, nine on each side.)
Here's one of the dragons. You're not in Narragansett any more, Bunky!
We end with this view of another one of the dragons.