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Special Beijing 3, Hou Hai

2008-3-05 16:16

HouHai ('Hou lake') is situated between QianHai and XiHai, just north of QianHai. HouHai is in the center of the tradional hutong area of central Beijing. The ancient Drum and Bell Towers are nearby.

Around the south and along the west side of HouHai are a variety of teahouses, cafes, bars and boutiques that combine modern and traditional elements in their unique designs. There are also some cafes, restaurants and bars on the east side.

The area of Houhai, QianHai and XiHai collectively is often referred to as ShiChaHai. The water for these lakes comes via canal past the north of BeijingZoo from KunMing lake at the Summer Palace. In turn, the water in KunMing lake comes from rainfall in the Western Fragrant Hills.
The Houhai area is the kind of place you can visit anytime: during the day you can enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting, and in the evenings the area transforms into party central – it is a firm fixture on the Beijing nightlife scene. Many of the restaurants and bars feature lakeside settings. In summer the area is guaranteed to overflow with groups of tourists and locals unwinding and enjoying some wind in the Beijing heat. Hiring a boat, or sometimes swimming in the lake, are popular summer activities. You don’t have to wander very far to wind up in one of the Hutongs in the surrounding area. The place offers abundant bars and restaurants.

If you take a rickshaw tour around the HouHai area, there are two historical spots that you are very likely to visit. China's last emperor, Puyi, was born in a mansion near HouHai. Another courtyard house (SiHeYuan), in this case a very large one, was the longtime residence of Song QingLing, the wife of Sun YatSen. Both these mansions are now museums. The expansive gardens and ponds provide a glimpse of what life was like for the privileged before the Communists, who officially frowned on such extravagance.

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Special Beijing 3, Hou Hai

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