Lake Houhai

Hours & Admission Price Peak Season
Jan.-Dec.
all day
Free Low Season
Jan.-Dec.
all day
Free Address & Phone Shichahai area, Xicheng District, Beijing Transportation Take bus routes 13, 42, 107,111 and take off at Beihaihoumen stop.
Most taxi drivers will know how to bring you to Yan Dai Xie Jie. Walk down the alley (that&nb; Notes

Lake Houhai is especially popular with foreign tourists for Hutongs and courtyards. As a leisure place in Beijing, the area is famous for its nightlife as home to many popular restaurants, bars, and cafes.

As an integral part of Shichahai, Lake Houhai is an artificial lake for the imperial family dating back to over 700 years ago in Yuan Dynasty. It is a leisure place in Beijing with water, mountains and weeping willows. Located in the traditional center of Beijing, Lake Houhai is northwest of the Forbidden City and only four or five stations from Tiananmen Square.

The shore of the lake is gathered with residential houses, prince’s mansion and former residences of famous people in the Hutongs. That’s why it’s especially popular with foreign tourists for visiting Beijing. The area has been long enjoyed a good reputation as a summer resort so do not forget to boat in the lake. In recent years, Lake Houhai has become well known for its nightlife as it is home to many popular restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Historical and Cultural Background

The streets and alleys around Lake Houhai were formed in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the traditional Hutongs and Courtyards formed unique characteristics of the architectures in Beijing. It was said the place had good Fengshui as its water was connected with the dragon river in Forbidden City. Therefore, the area became a busting business district. Monks in past dynasties built temples at here, nobles built gardens on the shore and the celebrities moved their houses to the lake bank. An old saying goes that Shichahai comes first before Beijing city. The Former Residence of Song Qingling and Prince Gong Mansion are both located in the area.

Activities

Most foreign tourists come to the area to see Hutongs and Courtyards. You can hire a rickshaw for a tour through the hutongs and stop at some of the courtyards to visit inside. In summer, the lake is a good resort and most people will choose to rent boats to cruise. At night, many young people come to the area for its colorful nightlife to relax in a bar or café or enjoy delicious food at many popular restaurants. There are many attractions near Lake Houhai, such as Bell and Drum Tower and Nanluoguxiang Alley.

Lake Houhai Bar Street

When talking about nightlife in Beijing, Lake Houhai Bar Street will definitely be one of your top choices. If Sanlitun Bar Street is about trendiest, Lake Houhai Bar Street is undoubtedly elegant with densest cultural atmosphere. Most of the bars are lined the shores of the man made lake. They look very ordinary outside but are interestingly decorated inside and there is good music with a small dance floor. Most of the famous ones are gathered near the Yindian Bridge.

Top Rated Bars

Left Bank (former Blue Lotus)
With the look and comfort of a large den, the bar spares no effort to restore the furnishings of old family in Beijing. It is a good place to plot or merely cuddle.
Address: No.1 Shichahai Xihaidongyan, Beijing
Tel: 010-64000168

No name Bar
Keeping it in the favor of the locals, its wicker chairs, trendiest décor and a wide range of teas and drinks draw in Beijing’s A-list. The bar is a good place to spend some time with friends and love ones.
Address: Qianhaidongyan, Shichahai, Xicheng district
Tel: 010-64018541

Buddha Bar
Renovated with lakeside lounge seating, antique chairs, and large couches on the first floor, the bar is a good place if you respect for the Buddhism or search a quiet retreat.
Address: 2 Yindianqiao, Shichahai, Xicheng District.
Tel: 010-66179488

Lotus
This bar has a separate restaurant called Lotus Root. The two-story bar has a good collection of crafts and its design is related to zen. With smells of incense, it has one of the best drinks menus on the lake.
Address: No 29 Yandai Xiejie
Tel: 010-64077807

Snacks and Restaurants

Apart from the bars, Lake Houhai also offers good opportunity to enjoy delicious local foods. There are many popular restaurants and every one has its own style, decoration, food and drink. Jiumen Snack Street at the Xiaoyou Hutong west of Former Residence of Song Qingling is gathered with the famous snacks in Beijing. Visitors can find all the long reputed 12 snack restaurants in Beijing at here.

Recommended Restaurants

Kao Rou Ji (Barbeque Ji Restaurant)
A famous restaurant since Qing times well known for coriander-laced roast mutton, barbecue lamb along with hot and sour soup, sesame buns and roast duck.
Address: Near Silver Ingot Bridge (Yingding Qiao) close to the Drum Tower.
Hours: 11:00-14:00 17:00-20:00
Tel: 010-64042554

Nuage
With a stunning lakeside location, this Vietnamese restaurant has dim lighting and chic French colonial décor, and most importantly, the decent food.
Address: No. 22 Qianhai Dongyan
Tel: 010-64019581
Hours: 11.30am-10pm

Hutong Pizza
Located on the site of a former Buddhist nunnery and features untouched murals in the loft, this restaurant is voted to has Beijing's best Pizza.
Address: No 9 Nan Gong Fan Hutong, Lake Hou Hai, Beijing
Tel: 010 6617-5916.
Hours: 11am to 11pm 

Beijing Culture