Beihai Park
This past work week was busy - we hosted 2 groups of summer camp kids at the center. Our days were long and tiring, so when we had an afternoon off on Wednesday, we jumped at the opportunity to get out of the office and into the city.
Despite the heat and pollution (both of which are simply unavoidable), we trekked to Beihai park, a public park and formal imperial garden that was first built in the 11th century. Beihai was absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen before. Between the diverse natural landscapes and the historic temples and pagoda, this park truly outshone Houhai (in my opinion) in every way.
Beihai boasts a large lake that covers more than half the park. The lake is delicately coated in large lily pads wand boats aimlessly float by. Weeping willow-type trees provide welcomed shade and a stoic white pagoda rests on an island in the center of the lake, supervising the parkgoers below.
The White Pagoda, as it is called, was built in 1651 to honor a visit from the 5th Dalai Lama. Rebuilt in 1680 and restored in 1976, the Pagoda is a architectural marvel, housing Buddhist scriptures, monk's mantles and alms bowls, and the bones of monks.
In addition to The White Pagoda, there are also several famous Buddhist temples. We visited Yong'an Temple, also known as The Temple of Everlasting Peace. As cheesy as it may sound, I found there was a palpable sense calm and tranquility. The smell of incense intertwined mystically with Eastern music to create a noticeably zen atmosphere. If it wasn't for the suffocating heat and profuse sweating, I could have spent the rest of the afternoon blissed out in the courtyard of the Temple.
Despite the heat and pollution (both of which are simply unavoidable), we trekked to Beihai park, a public park and formal imperial garden that was first built in the 11th century. Beihai was absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen before. Between the diverse natural landscapes and the historic temples and pagoda, this park truly outshone Houhai (in my opinion) in every way.
Beihai boasts a large lake that covers more than half the park. The lake is delicately coated in large lily pads wand boats aimlessly float by. Weeping willow-type trees provide welcomed shade and a stoic white pagoda rests on an island in the center of the lake, supervising the parkgoers below.
The White Pagoda, as it is called, was built in 1651 to honor a visit from the 5th Dalai Lama. Rebuilt in 1680 and restored in 1976, the Pagoda is a architectural marvel, housing Buddhist scriptures, monk's mantles and alms bowls, and the bones of monks.
In addition to The White Pagoda, there are also several famous Buddhist temples. We visited Yong'an Temple, also known as The Temple of Everlasting Peace. As cheesy as it may sound, I found there was a palpable sense calm and tranquility. The smell of incense intertwined mystically with Eastern music to create a noticeably zen atmosphere. If it wasn't for the suffocating heat and profuse sweating, I could have spent the rest of the afternoon blissed out in the courtyard of the Temple.
After a brief popsicle break in an attempt to cool down, we said goodbye to Beihai (for now).
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