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    HouHai: The Perfect Showcase of the Ancient and Modern Beijing

    Written by: Haroon Shuaib
    Posted on: November 30, 2022 | | 中文

    HouHai Lake and the surroundings

    Other than the more obvious Great Wall of China at Balding Pass, the Palace Museum and the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Confucius and many other such sites, Houhai is a lake and its surrounding neighborhood is the Xicheng District. It is also a must-see, if you happen to be visiting Beijing. Houhai is the largest of the three lakes, along with Qianhai (‘Front Sea’) and Xihai (‘West Sea’), which together form Shichahai, the collective name for the three northernmost lakes in central Beijing. Since the early 2000s, the neighborhood around Houhai has become known for its nightlife as many residences along the lake shore have been converted into souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. The area is also replete with many large and small temples, historical palaces and residences of the nobles, and hutongs, narrow streets, or alleys commonly associated with northern Chinese cities. This mix of ancient and modern is what makes Houhai an amazing amalgamation of modern China, and a regular hang-out for a large crowd of Beijingers and expatriates visiting Beijing, especially on weekends.

    The food street of HouHai Lake area at night

    Houhai, the largest of the three lakes, is an artificial lake, covering a total area of 87 acres (35 hectares). It is said that the waters of Houhai are connected with the ‘dragon vein’, an important and invisible artery that can keep things peaceful, steady, and prosperous according to Daoism. The lake was built about 700 years ago during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), and formed part of the ancient water management systems of the dynasty. With a large central water body offering a beautiful backdrop for the sunrise and sunset of Beijing, the area was soon gentrified by the Yuan and reserved for the royal family. Developed as part of the Yuan winter capital of Dadu, it is located in the center of the modern city of Beijing. It faces the Forbidden City from a distance of just 4 kilometers and the former residence of Soong Ching-ling, the third wife of Sun Yat-sen, a very consequential political figure, is a stone’s throw away from Houhai. Also located in the Houhai neighborhood is the residence of Prince Gong, who was an imperial prince of the Aisin Gioro clan and an important statesman of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty. The former home of the famous poet Guo Moruo is also a must-see in this area.

    HouHai Lake and traditional Chinese buildings

    The neatly laid out but labyrinth-like Hutong network around Houhai Lake Area, was also created during the Yuan dynasty. The Yuan's 787-meter-long Nanluogu Lane is considered one of the oldest hutongs in Beijing, and is located in one of its oldest neighborhoods. Just a stroll in this area is an experience, as it has many traditional buildings of Chinese architecture.

    Boat riding at HouHai Lake

    Houhai literally translates to “Back Sea”. The lake surrounded by willow trees is a good place to enjoy some leisure time by strolling in the area, taking a boat ride on the lake, or sitting at one of the restaurants of the Houhai Bar Street. The Houhai lake area becomes especially busy at night, when the bars open for business and people come for dinner or drinks after work. Most bars feature live music which range from Reggae, Jazz to Chinese music. Being a popular area, bars charge higher prices for food and drinks than in other parts of the city. Despite the higher prices, the Houhai lake area is a great place to enjoy a lakeside dinner or drinks and soak up the local atmosphere, after a busy day walking around the Forbidden City and other sights. Many tour managers also offer to arrange a family visit or a homemade lunch in a local hutong home and guided trips, so the visitors don’t miss out on the experience of sipping the legendary Chinese tea at one of the charming teahouses dotting across the hutongs, or the well-stocked souvenir shop full of hidden gems. For those who do not want to walk, there are commercial rickshaws available throughout the Houhai Lake area. The Bell and Drum Towers are also very close to Houhai Lake, and can be visited at the same time. Other close by important monuments and tourist attractions that are a short walk away are Beihai Park, Jingshan Park and the Lama Temple.

    A choir performing at a bar in HouHai area

    In December and January, when the water is frozen, Houhai Lake becomes a wintry playground with a variety of skating activities available, the most popular of which is chair-skating. Young and old residents of Beijing, along with many foreigners, can be seen enjoying the experience of a frozen lake in the heart of the city. The best time to visit though is from August to October. In summer, the lotus flowers in Houhai come into bloom. Boats are available for hiring and can be rented out to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and admire the flowers. There are wild mandarin ducks in the lake.

    Winter sports are being held in Beijing's HouHai Lake during December and January

    The mountain viewing from the Yinding Bridge is a must on any list of ‘The Eight Great Sights of Yanjing (Present-day Beijing)’. Yinding Bridge got its name because it resembled a silver ingot (Yinding in Chinese). In the past, people standing on the Yinding Bridge could appreciate the view of the Xishan Mountain. It's like a space-time tunnel that connects the ancient buildings in the Ming and Qing dynasties with visitors. As the cooking smoke rises from the many restaurants that dot the northern bank of Houhai Lake, the district forms the perfect showcase of ancient and the modern that together make Beijing one of the greatest cities of the world.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021









    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir



    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.