Located in northwest Beijing, beside popular Sanlitun with all its vibrant nightlife, Shichahai is a 147-hectare lake which was once the prosperous northern starting point of the Grand Canal during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). As the financial boom from Grand Canal trade wound down in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Shichahai gradually made the transition into a leisure and entertainment destination. Nowadays, the area is host to art and tourism festivals and is a government-protected historical and cultural area.
Tourists will find a wealth of historical structures here including Prince Gong's Mansion (Gongwang Fu), Prince Chun's Mansion (Chunwang Fu), the Former Residence of Mei Lanfang (a long-ago famed opera star), the Former Residence of Song Qingling and Guanghua Temple.
Visitors can stroll around the lake's three sections, cross 1,000-year-old bridges, and meander around locals' traditional residences, with their hutongs and courtyards. They are well preserved and relatively intact, making the Beijing of long ago feel a palpable reality. Other sites nearby that complement a day of sightseeing are Beihai Park and the Drum Tower.