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Waterway in Beijing

Currently there are 7 waterways available for tourism in Beijing, and the boats are in service from April to October every year. This offers another way of sightseeing in Beijing. Tourists to the Yuyuantan Park can take a boat in the port of Bayi Lake and enter the south gate of the Summer Palace by waterway; tourists to the Beijing Zoo, Beijing Exhibition Center and Beijing Aquarium can reach the Summer Palace by taking a boat in the port of Back Lake.


Kunyu River (Yuyuan Pond ← → Kunming Lake)

The Kunyu River waterway is between Yuyuan Pond and Kunming Lake. The boats depart from Bayi Lake which is located in the Yuyuantan Park, then take you to the Central Television Tower, Binyuyuan Port, White Dagoba of the Beihai Park, Linglong Park, and finally arrive at the Summer Palace- the largest imperial garden.

You can take such a boat in the port of Bayi Lake, in the port of the Summer Palace, Binyuyuan Port, or in the south gate of Yuyuantan Park. A one-way trip takes about 50 minutes, and a round trip is about 2 hours long. In particular, a gaily decorated pleasure boat in a European style provides various activities for tourists: birthday parties, tea parties, cocktail parties, wedding ceremonies, art performances, Karaoke, and small dance parties.

Tel: 010-6852 9429, 010-6852 9428, 010-6852 873

Bus Route:
1. No.40, 64, 323, 368, 374, 394, 624, 631, 704, 809, 817, 836, 977, Te 8, Yuntong 103, Yuntong 108 to the Bayi Lake.
2. No.335, 414, 613 to Luodaozhuang, and then walk to the Binyuyuan Port. 3. No.374, 437, 481, 704, 952, 992 to Liulangzhuang Xikou, and then walk to the port of the Summer Palace.


Changhe River

The Changhe River, an ancient river of over 700 years, was an important tourist waterway of Beijing during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and became an imperial waterway leading to the Summer Palace in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Covering a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), this river stretches between Beizhan Houhu which is near the Beijing Exhibition Center and the Ruyimen Port of the Summer Palace. Via this waterway, you can reach the Beijing Exhibition Center, Beijing Zoo , Beijing Aquarium, Five-Pagoda Temple, China National Library, Zizhuyuan Park , Temple of Longevity, and some other ancient attractions.

Tel: 010-88363576, 010-88363577

Line 1: (Beizhan Houhu → Summer Palace)
Line 2: Beijing Zoo → Summer Palace
Line 3: Beijing Zoo → Beijing Aquarium → Summer Palace
Line 4: Summer Palace → Beijing Aquarium → Beijing Zoo
Line 5: Summer Palace → Zizhuyaun Park

Bus Route:
1. No.15, 19, 26, 45, 65, 107, 319, 685, 697, 714, 732, 814, Te 4 to Beijing Zhanlanguan (Beijing Exhibition Center), and then walk northwards to the Beizhan Houhu.
2. No.209, 330,331, 332, 346, 394, 718, 726, 732, 737, 801, 817, 826 to the Summer Palace.
3. No.7, 27, 45, 102, 105, 107, 111, 206, 206, 209, 319, 347, 362, 601, 632, 634, 714, 716, 732, 808, 814, 904 to Dongwuyuan (Beijing Zoo)


Shicha Lake

The waterway of the Shicha Lake offers distinguishing views of temples, former residence of the celebrities, and the former Princes' mansions. In addition, you can have a taste of some famous Beijing snacks in the special South China style boats.

Line 1: The back gate of Beihai Park → Drum Tower → Yinding Bridge → Hutong
Line 2: The back gate of Beihai Park → Front Sea → Yinding Bridge → Rear Lake → Hutong

Tel: 010-6612 5717

Bus Route: No.13, 24, 107, 111, 118, 204, 701, 810, 823, 850 to Beihai Beimen.


Beijing Exhibition Center ← → China Millennium Monument

This line is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) long, and it takes nearly 70 minutes to cover the distance. Tourists can buy tickets in the port of Beizhan Back Lake, Beijing Zoo, and the China Millennium Monument.

Bus Route:
1. No.15, 19, 26, 45, 65, 107, 319, 685, 697, 714, 732, 814, Te 4 to Beijing Exhibition Center, and then walk northwards to the Beizhan Houhu.
2. No. 7, 27, 45, 102, 105, 107, 111, 206, 206, 209, 319, 347, 362, 601, 632, 634, 714, 716, 732, 808, 814, 904 to Dongwuyuan (Beijing Zoo).
3. No.1, 4, 21, 65, 68, 205, 308, 320, 337, 617, 728, 802, or Subway Line 1 to Military Museum, and then walk to the China Millennium Monument.


Yuyuantan ← → Grand View Garden

You can take a boat in the port to the south gate of the Yuyuantan Park or in the south to the Grand View Garden.

Bus Route:
1. No,32, 65, 414, 617 to the south gate of Yuyuantan Park.
2. No.53, 59, 63, 122, 458, 474, 717, 744, 819, 939 to Grand View Garden.
Tel: 010-68510068


Yuyuantan ← → Longtan Lake

This is the longest tourism waterway of Beijing, and it takes about 2 hours to cover the distance. You can travel by the Yuyuantan Park, Xibianmen, Tianning Temple, the Temple of Heaven, and arrive at the Longtan Lake.

Bus Route: No,32, 65, 414, 617 to the south gate of Yuyuantan Park.


Beijing Exhibition Center ← → Zizhuyuan Park (via Beijing Zoo)

Bus Route:
1. No.15, 19, 26, 45, 65, 107, 319, 685, 697, 714, 732, 814, Te 4 to Beijing Exhibition Center.
2. No.114, 118, 206, 211, 334, 347, 360, 362, 482, 601, 714, 804, 809, Te 5 to Zizhuyuan Nanmen and then walk to the Zizhuyuan Park.