Best Spot for Chinese-style Garden Photography

Yanqi Lake: A Poetic Encounter with a Thousand Years of Reflection

In the northeast corner of Beijing lies Yanqi Lake, a hidden paradise like a world apart. This place was once a favored retreat for ancient scholars and poets, and it still retains that tranquility far from the hustle and bustle. The reflection of the ancient pagoda in the lake blends beautifully with the clear waves, as if telling stories spanning a thousand years.

Strolling along the lakeside, the most captivating sight is undoubtedly the ancient pagoda reflected in the water. According to the "Huairou County Gazetteer," this pagoda was originally built during the Ming Dynasty as a Buddhist pagoda for a temple north of the city. Later, due to changes in the river course, part of it sank into the water, unexpectedly creating this unique scene. On sunny days, the pagoda’s shadow, along with the blue sky and white clouds, reflects on the lake surface, forming a scene reminiscent of an ink painting.

Yanqi Lake gets its name from the flocks of wild geese that rest here every spring and autumn. The Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake mentioned this spectacular sight in his travel notes. The wooden boardwalk along the lake winds with the shoreline, offering close views of the shimmering water and distant rolling mountains, evoking the timeless verse by Li Qingzhao: "The water’s light and mountain’s color are close to people."

It’s worth noting that the seemingly ordinary rocks by the lake have a remarkable history. Geologists have confirmed that these rocks formed during the Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, witnessing the dramatic transformation of the Beijing area from ocean to land. Walking among them feels like flipping through a natural history textbook.

Travel Tips: Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, with the most beautiful light in the early morning and late afternoon, perfect for photography. You can also take a boat ride on the lake to enjoy the pagoda’s reflection from a different perspective.

Transportation Tips: It takes about an hour by car from downtown Beijing, or you can take the Huairou Line bus to Yanqi Lake Station.

Though it may not match the grandeur of the Forbidden City or the splendor of the Summer Palace, Yanqi Lake tells another side of Beijing — serene, poetic, and timeless.

Post by BallFishShoeMoon | Oct 22, 2025