Beijing,Beihai Park, North Lake and Jade Island - Extensive photographic digital tour (2), by The Beijing Report

The Best views of BeiHai Park : Jade Island, the White Marble Bridge and the Waters of the hand-dug North Lake of Beijing

Moving forward and North into Beihai Park we are immediatly confronted with the Parks' most magnificient Sight : the Shores of the North Lake (Bei Hai) with across its waters the Magnificently green Jade Island dotted with its Temples and crowned by the Virgin White Marble Dagoba,

glimmering in the afternoon sunlight.

Beihai Park and the White Dagoba

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North Lake Shore

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As this really is one of the Best Sights in and around Beijing , we go to extra lengths to bring you an extended series of digital photos before moving on.

The Jade Island, appropriatly named after its evergreen appearance , is dotted with a number of Buddhist shrines. As Beihai Lake forms 50% of Beihai Parks surface , Jade Island is the Centerpiece of the Park and Garden.

The White Dagoba , part of Yong An Temple, is a Buddhist Relic dating back to the visit of the 5Th Dalai Lama to the Imperial Court of China at Beijing.

All Chinese Ming and Ching Emperors were devout Buddhist.

And not only that : they were Lamaist-Buddhists.

More relics of the foundings of the White Dagoba can be found on Jade Island among the Private Quarters of Emperor Qianlong (Chien Lung).

Oddly - Today's China is at high odds with the current Dalai Lama , and refuses any meaningful contact with him. As devoutly Buddhist the Ancient Emperors were , the Communist Cadres of today and yesterday have no sympathy for Lamaism and any promotion of the religion is bound to be frowned upon by Officials. The Dalai Lama is seen as a political enemy and quite honestly as a secessionist.

Moving around the reconstructed Round City westward towards the Beihai's White Marble Bridge we wonder about this.

Buddhism has a very long History in China and more of it can be seen and inhaled at the Ancient Buddhist Temple of the Source of the Law ( Fayuansi') , another Beijing relic and landmark. There are many many Buddhist Temples and shrines in and around Beijing.

The White Dagoba is known in Chinese as the Bai Ta. It is part of the extensive Temple of Eternal Peace complex and houses the Evil looking Multi-Armed and Devil-headed Buddhist-Lamaist Deity of Yamantaka. A figure said to be the Protector Lord God of Beijing City.

The Yong An Temple itself stretches from down below at the end of the walkway bridge to Jade Island, all the way up to the White Dagoba , immersing the curious visitor in a multitude of Deities, Deva's, Boddhisatvas, Temple Halls and Courts.

The Jade Island is not a place for a Quick visit but is certainly meant as a calm place to reflect and gain knowledge and spirituality.

Entrance to to the White Marble Bridge and walkway that lead to Jade Island.

The word for Jade in Chinese is QiongHua

( Chi-ong-Chwa' ) so Jade Island is know as that, QiongHua.

Some extra photos of the Bridge and Jade Island with it's hidden Yong An Temple. The Temple of Eternal Peace.

Once again the entry to Jade Island and the Yong An Temple complex. To the Left hand and off this picture, pleasure boats can be rented by visitors who want to take to the waters.

In winter cold, this is the most popular

skating ring in the City.

Halfway across the Bridge to Jade Island.

A good place for some Last Excellent photos.

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Don't miss out on your Last Full View of the Bai Tai Dagoba . As we are moving closer and closer the Dagoba will disappear out of view behind leaves and temples and pavillions for a while.

Entrance to Jade Island with in the center the Gate to Yong An Temple.

The Zheng Jiao Hall is part of the important Yong An Temple, the Temple of Eternal Peace , and is the lowest lying worshipping Hall of the complex. Yong An Temple continues uphill from there to a total of 5 levels , symbolising the spiritual ascent into heaven by gaining wisdom.

To the Left and Right the marble walkways continue West and East around the Jade Island and its Hill, leading past the Water to either the North Shore of Jade Island, or right and East to the Eastern Gate and bridge.

As we are interested in the Buddhist Shrines and other Imperial relics of Jade Island, and of course the Marvelous White Dagoba , we continue Northward toward Yong An Temple.

Coming to the Gate of Yong An Temple it is time to really take in the athmosphere of this magnificient Park.

Emersed in Green, the Ming Dynastic Style of the Temple building emenates a soothing Calm.

All around water , quiet pass-timers and even an occasional coloured Bird.

Note : an extra ticket needs to be bought for entrance into Yong An Temple , one of the Cities' finest Buddhist Temples.

Looking to the Right and East, the Wanchun ( Everlasting Spring ) Pavillion on top of Jingshan or Prospect Hill is visble above the many trees.

Once an Imperial Pleasure Pavillion, the Wanchun Pavillion gives the best overview of the Forbidden City and is a great place to enjoy the afternoon sun and the stunning view.

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