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Beijing · Mysteries & legends

Lakes and bells: the secrets of Shichahai

North of the Forbidden City, the Shichahai lakes and the lanes around them hold some of Beijing's strangest stories. This route runs from the mansion of the richest man of his day to the towers that marked the hours of the night, and ends in the hutongs of Nanluoguxiang. We always keep what the documents say apart from what tradition tells.

  • 6 stops
  • 2.9 km
  • 2 h 10 min
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
The Drum Tower seen from the Bell Tower, above the square and the hutong rooftops

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Prince Gong's MansionThe house built by the most corrupt minister of the Qing dynasty, and the character for happiness he is said to have hidden there.
  2. 2 Yinding Bridge and the bomb of 1910A little bridge shaped like a silver ingot, the best view of the Western Hills and a plot against the regent that nearly changed history.
  3. 3 Wanning Bridge and the Fire God TempleThe final port of the Grand Canal, stone beasts that watch over the water and a temple built to keep the palace safe from flames.
  4. 4 The Drum TowerThe tower that told the whole city the time with 108 strikes, and a drum that still bears the slashes of 1900.
  5. 5 The Bell Tower and the legend of the bell maidenA bronze bell more than five metres tall, and the legend of the young woman who is said to have thrown herself into the molten metal.
  6. 6 Nanluoguxiang, the centipede streetA hunchbacked lane with sixteen legs, the home of an ill-fated empress and the mansions of generals who switched sides.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

Lakes and bells: the secrets of Shichahai

Real conspiracies

Heshen's fall in 1799 and the 1910 plot against the Prince Regent, where they were hatched.

City legends

The bell that sounds like a shoe, the mouse stone under the bridge and the character for happiness hidden in a grotto.

As the day fades

A route made for dusk by the lakes, with a dinner of griddled lamb beside Yinding Bridge.

Keep exploring

More routes in Beijing

Back to Beijing
HistoryGates, legations and guilds: Beijing's southern city MixedBeijing highlights: around the Forbidden City

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Beijing?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Beijing in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Beijing in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Beijing in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary