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Located in the centre of Beijing City, and connected with 
Zhong Nan Hai (Central and South Seas) by a bridge, Beihai (North Sea) Park, through intermittent construction during Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved imperial gardens in China. The layout of park was based on the concept of "one pool and three hills" (respectively called Taiyechi, Penglai, Yingzhou and Fangzhang as stated in fairy stories), creating a fantastic fancy atmosphere. It is renowned for rich cultural relics, peculiar gardening art and beautiful lake scene at home and abroad.
Bei Hai (North Lake) is west of Jing Shan ("Coal Hill"). The area is not only beautiful and scenic but is also closely associated with the development of the city of Beijing during the Jin (1115-1234 A.D.) and the Liao (947-1125 A.D.) Dynasties.
With the palace as its center, more buildings were put up further out around the lake so that it The early Beihai (North Sea) was only an ordinary water pool with the Qionghua Island therein. In the Jin Dynasty, both the pool and the island began to be expanded with Yaoguang and Guanghan halls built on the island. In addition, a lot of famous stones were moved here from a left imperial garden of former dynasty to build rockeries. After such construction, Beihai Park began to take shape. The island was further expanded in the Yuan Dynasty, and was taken as the centre of the city of Beijing to be built. So it is said that "Beihai precedes Beijing". Secondary palaces were built here under the Yuan Dynasty (1280-1368 A.D.). Qiong Hua (Precious Jade) Island has been renovated three times. It was on this site that Kubla Khan's palace once stood which was the place where Marco Polo stayed when he visited China.
In the Ming Dynasty, Beihai Park became the back garden of the Forbidden City, and called "West Royal Garden". South Sea was excavated, and the Bridge of Golden Turtle and Jade Pole was built during that time. In the Qing Dynasty, White Dagoba was built together with a temple at the former site of Guanghan Hall. During the reign of Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty, large-scale construction was performed once again in Beihai, lasting 30 years. During the reign of Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi impropriated the military expenditure of navy to rebuilt the Beihai Park for her joy. After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown by the Xinhai Revolution, Beihai Park was opened to the public in August 1925. However, it got deserted gradually due to poor management since then, and had become a wasteland full of weed and silt deposit till the founding of the People's Republic of China. After that, rehabilitation of Beihai Park was initiated, including dredging up water pools, repairing ancient buildings, and adding new facilities. These measures made the Beihai Park more resplendent and magnificent. It is rated as one of sixteen new views of Beijing and also a national cultural heritage under special protection. The lake and surrounding area are enclosed by walls. Before you enter through the main gate you will see Round Town, on the left, which is an enclosure 14 ft. (5 m.) high. Originally an island, it now houses the Hall of Receiving light. Within you will find a white jade Buddha (5 ft. or 1.5 m. high) which is ethereal and lustrous, suggesting sublime and transcendent repose. In the courtyard is the great Jade Basin. Carved in 1265 A.D., this bowl measures approximately 5 ft. (1.5 m.) in diameter, 2 ft. (.6 m.) in height, and over 15 ft. (4.6 m.) in circumference. The Jade Basin was originally used at ceremonial banquets from which the various ministers and dignitaries drank wine.
Qionghua Island (Jade Islet), an islet-hill, in the middle of the lake is the center of Beihai Park, topped by a towering white Dagoba which has been the landmark of the park for centuries. The white Dagoba was built in 1651 in memory of the first visit of Dalai Lama to Beijing. The present on was rebuilt in 1741 by the Qing Emperor Qianlong. It is 35.9 metres high, built with brick and stone whitened with lime. It is believed that Buddhist scriptures, lama robes and other sacred articles are stored inside. The hill is covered with halls and pavilions, odd-shaped porous rocks, stone steles and tablets, all artistically arranged and landscaped. At the foot of the hill a bow-shaped gallery follows the curve of the north bank. This 300-metre colorfully painted gallery is remarkable for having an upper deck. The side facing the lake is open, the other paneled by lattice windows. Midway of this gallery are Rippling Water Hall and Tranquility Study. Fangshan Restaurant, noted for its dishes and pastry based on recipes from the Qing imperial kitchens, is located here.
On the north bank stands the famous Nine Dragon Screen. 
The screen was made of colored glazed tiles, dating from 1417. It is 5 metres high, 27 metres long and 1.2 metres thick with nine dragons playing in the waves on both sides. The workmanship reflects the high level of skill achieved 500 years ago. There are three well-known Nine Dragon Screens .in China. This one is the best. Further to the west are the attractive Five Dragon Pavilions, built in 1651. They are interconnected by stone bridges and jut out over the water. This was where the feudal emperors went fishing, enjoyed camp fires or admired the moon at night. Along the east bank, a stretch of undulating hills conceals several "gardens within garden", such as the Haopujian, Huafangzhai (Painted Boat Studio) and Jinxinzhai (Studio of Mental Calmness) which are newly open to visitors. They are admired for their architectural uniqueness and perfection.