Qionghgua Island

Qionghgua Island is a part of Beihai Park in Beijing. It is also known as Whte Pagoda Hill for there is a giant white pagoda rises on top of it. In summer, lotus blossoms bloom in the lake surrounding the island. Located in central Beijing, Beihai Park is one of the oldest and most authentically preserved imperial gardens in China. Beihai Park covers a total area of over 68 hectares, more than half of it is taken up by the Beihai Lake. The park consists of North Shore Scenic Area, East Shore Scenic Area, Qiongdao Island, Circular City and Botanical Garden.

What to see in Qionghgua Islet
White Pagoda
It was originally built in 1651 during the reign of Shunzhi Emperor. It is an old tibetan lamaist pagoda. The central line of Qionghua Islet goes from the front gate of Yong'an Temple up to the White Pagoda. It used to collapse in an earthquake. The pagoda on Qiong Islet is 35.9 meters high with a tiered base and a body like an upturned bowl. Sutras in Tibetan language are carved inside the front gate, meaning “good fortune as one wishes”. Fourteen copper bells hang from its copper canopy on top of which is a gilt ball like a flame. The top of it is carved with patterns of sun, moon and fire.

Yong'an Bridge
Yong'an Bridge makes Qionghgua Islet connected with Circular City Scenic Area. The bridge was built in the 13th century. There are two archways standing on either end of the bridge. One bears the inscription of "Piled Clouds". And the other bears the inscription of "Accumulated Emerald."

Yong'an Temple
Yong'an Temple, also known as White Pagoda Temple, is located in the south of the islet. This temple was originally built in 1651. It is a building complex that represents the religion culture. The main structure of it includes Zhengjue Hall, Puan Hall, Shengguo Hall and the white pagoda.

Zhizhu Hall
Zhizhu Hall was built in 1751 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. It is located on the eastern side of Qiong Islet with zigzagging paths and ancient trees. It is a symmetrical building. The hall sits on a semicircle base of bricks, with red walls and green roof. From there visitors can see the five pavilions on Jingshan Hill to the east while enjoying a cup of tea. There is a manjusri bodhisattva statue inside the hall.

Long Corridor
Long Corridor on Qionghua Islet is a 300-meter-long corridor with two tiers. It runs from Yiqing Tower to the east to Fenliang Pavilion to the west. It is a copy of the corridor in the Jiangtian Temple in Zhengjiang, Jiangsu Province. Taking a walk along the Long Corridor just make you feel like walking along the corridor of history. 

►Recommended Beijing tour: 4 Days Best Beijing Tour
(Attractions: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Changling Tomb)