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Coordinates: 39°56′28″N 116°22′44″E / 39.94111°N 116.37889°E / 39.94111; 116.37889
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{{Short description|Lake in People's Republic of China}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with the [[Houhai (Fujian)|Houhai in Fujian]] or [[Houhai (Guangdong)|Guangdong]].}}
{{for|the metro station in Shenzhen|Houhai station}}
[[Image:Houhai3.jpg|thumb|The Houhai lake in Beijing at night]]
[[Image:Houhai3.jpg|thumb|The Houhai lake in Beijing at night]]
[[Image:Beijinghouhaiboat.jpg|thumb|Strolling the Houhai lake]]
[[Image:Beijinghouhaiboat.jpg|thumb|Strolling the Houhai lake]]
'''Houhai''' ({{zh|c=后海|p=hòuhǎi|l=Rear Lake}}) is a lake and its surrounding neighborhood in [[Xicheng District]] of central [[Beijing]], [[China]]. Houhai is the largest of the three lakes, along with Qianhai 'Front Lake' and Xihai 'Western Lake', that comprise [[Shichahai]], the collective name for the three northernmost lakes in central Beijing. Since the early 2000s, the [[hutong]] neighborhood around Houhai has become known for its nightlife as many residences along the lake shore have been converted into restaurants, bars, and cafes. The area is especially popular with foreign [[tourist]]s visiting Beijing and is also often visited by the [[expatriate]] community and the younger generations of locals.


The [[Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling (Beijing)|Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling]] and [[Prince Gong Mansion]] are both located in the Houhai neighborhood.
'''Houhai''' ({{zh|s=后海|t=后海|p=hòuhǎi|l=Queen Sea}}) is a lake and its surrounding district in central [[Beijing]], one of the three bodies of water composing the [[Shichahai]]. In recent years the area has become known for its nightlife as it is home to many popular restaurants, bars, and cafes. Houhai is situated near [[Bei Hai]] (a lake and park), and is surrounded by [[hutong]]s, but is not itself a hutong.


== History ==
The area is especially popular with foreign [[tourist]]s visiting Beijing and is also often visited by the [[expatriate]] community and the younger generations of locals.
The artificial lake of Houhai was built during the [[Yuan dynasty]], and formed part of the ancient waters of the dynasty. The area was gentrified by the Yuan, and was exclusively reserved to the royal family. Built in the Yuan winter capital of [[Khanbaliq|Dadu]], today it is located in the center of [[Beijing]]. It faces the [[Forbidden City]], and today is renowned as a place of relaxation for Beijingers, and for its nightlife.<ref name="chinaguide">{{cite web|last=|first=|url=https://www.thechinaguide.com/sight/houhai-lake|title=Houhai Lake|publisher=www.thechinaguide.com|access-date=21 August 2021|archive-date=21 August 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210821120043/https://www.thechinaguide.com/sight/houhai-lake|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="insight">{{cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zDmJAwAAQBAJ|title=Insight Guides: China|pages=|publisher=[[Apa Publications|APA]]|year=2013|isbn=9781780056302}}</ref><ref name="rough">{{cite book|last1=Leffman|first1=David|last2=Lewis|first2=Simon|last3=Zatko|first3=Martin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERSoAQAAQBAJ|title=The Rough Guide to China|pages=|publisher=[[Rough Guides Limited]]|year=2014|isbn=9781409351795}}</ref>


Also the street network of Houhai was created during the Yuan dynasty. The Yuan's {{convert|787|m|abbr=on}} long [[Nanluogu Lane]] is considered one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing, located in one of its oldest neighborhoods. Many buildings are very old, and exhibit the traditional Beijing architectural features.<ref name="lewis">{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WXmaoxG3_NwC|title=Beijing|pages=|publisher=[[Rough Guides Limited]]|year=2004|isbn=9781409351795}}</ref>
The [[Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling]] and [[Prince Gong Mansion]] are both located in the Houhai area.


==Images==
== Access ==
[[Beijing Bus]] routes 5, 60, 90, 107 and 204 stop at the [[Gulou and Zhonglou (Beijing)|Drum Tower]], just east of Houhai. The nearest [[Beijing Subway|subway]] station at [[Beihai North Station|Beihai North]] on [[Line 6, Beijing Subway|Line 6]] is about half a kilometer west of Qianhai. To reach Houhai, subway riders must walk north along the shore of Qianhai to Houhai.

== Images ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Beijinglakeview.jpg|Houhai lake
File:Beijinglakeview.jpg|Houhai lake
Image:Houhai4.jpg|A stone bridge across the lake
File:Houhai4.jpg|A stone bridge across the lake
File:HouHaiRestaurant.jpg|Houhai from a restaurant on the west shore
File:Houhai Lake in winter 4.jpg|Houhai Lake in winter
</gallery>
</gallery>


==External links==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/features/travel/destinations/asia/china/beijing/shop_details.html?vid=1083747024576 New York Times: Houhai Market]

*[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d324010-Reviews-Back_Lakes_Hou_Hai-Beijing.html TripAdvisor: Back Lakes (Hou Hai)] "This area of Beijing contains some of the most extensive old hutong neighborhoods and the three lakes of Xihai, Houhai and Oianhai."
== External links ==
*[http://www.illustrip.com/dest/beijing/Tour-i1-Back_Lake.aspx Illustrip: Interactive and printable map of Houhai]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050304154513/http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/features/travel/destinations/asia/china/beijing/shop_details.html?vid=1083747024576 New York Times: Houhai Market]
* [http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d324010-Reviews-Back_Lakes_Hou_Hai-Beijing.html TripAdvisor: Back Lakes (Hou Hai)] "This area of Beijing contains some of the most extensive old hutong neighborhoods and the three lakes of Xihai, Houhai and Oianhai."
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081101082100/http://www.illustrip.com/dest/beijing/Tour-i1-Back_Lake.aspx Illustrip: Interactive and printable map of Houhai]


{{coord|39|56|28|N|116|22|44|E|type:waterbody|display=title}}
{{coord|39|56|28|N|116|22|44|E|type:waterbody|display=title}}


{{Beijing-geo-stub}}
{{Old Beijing}}
{{Old Beijing}}


[[Category:Visitor attractions in Beijing]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Beijing]]
[[Category:Landforms of Beijing]]
[[Category:Lakes of China]]
[[Category:Geography of Beijing]]
[[Category:Geography of Beijing]]
[[Category:Xicheng District]]


{{Beijing-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:16, 25 April 2024

The Houhai lake in Beijing at night
Strolling the Houhai lake

Houhai (Chinese: 后海; pinyin: hòuhǎi; lit. 'Rear Lake') is a lake and its surrounding neighborhood in Xicheng District of central Beijing, China. Houhai is the largest of the three lakes, along with Qianhai 'Front Lake' and Xihai 'Western Lake', that comprise Shichahai, the collective name for the three northernmost lakes in central Beijing. Since the early 2000s, the hutong neighborhood around Houhai has become known for its nightlife as many residences along the lake shore have been converted into restaurants, bars, and cafes. The area is especially popular with foreign tourists visiting Beijing and is also often visited by the expatriate community and the younger generations of locals.

The Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling and Prince Gong Mansion are both located in the Houhai neighborhood.

History

[edit]

The artificial lake of Houhai was built during the Yuan dynasty, and formed part of the ancient waters of the dynasty. The area was gentrified by the Yuan, and was exclusively reserved to the royal family. Built in the Yuan winter capital of Dadu, today it is located in the center of Beijing. It faces the Forbidden City, and today is renowned as a place of relaxation for Beijingers, and for its nightlife.[1][2][3]

Also the street network of Houhai was created during the Yuan dynasty. The Yuan's 787 m (2,582 ft) long Nanluogu Lane is considered one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing, located in one of its oldest neighborhoods. Many buildings are very old, and exhibit the traditional Beijing architectural features.[4]

Access

[edit]

Beijing Bus routes 5, 60, 90, 107 and 204 stop at the Drum Tower, just east of Houhai. The nearest subway station at Beihai North on Line 6 is about half a kilometer west of Qianhai. To reach Houhai, subway riders must walk north along the shore of Qianhai to Houhai.

Images

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Houhai Lake". www.thechinaguide.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  2. ^ Insight Guides: China. APA. 2013. ISBN 9781780056302.
  3. ^ Leffman, David; Lewis, Simon; Zatko, Martin (2014). The Rough Guide to China. Rough Guides Limited. ISBN 9781409351795.
  4. ^ Lewis, Simon (2004). Beijing. Rough Guides Limited. ISBN 9781409351795.
[edit]

39°56′28″N 116°22′44″E / 39.94111°N 116.37889°E / 39.94111; 116.37889