Lotus Market

Beijing Lotus Market, located in the west bank of Shichahai, is the best place to enjoy the lake view. The area is also a good place to tour the famous Beijing Hutongs.

This area is an ancient market dated to the middle of the 19th century. Every summer, the lake near the market is covered with lotus flowers attracting many tourists, which is the origin of the name. A famous calligrapher wrote a plaque Lotus Market and it is still on the archway above its south gate.

On the bank of the lake, are traditional Chinese style houses used as bars, restaurants, cafes, antique stores. But most of them have been closed as the Lotus Market is undergoing a facelift. When finished, the architecture will be unified into the same style with blue brick walls, gray tiles and traditional arches. A row of flower boxes will also be added to separate the main road and plank road by the lake, and some recreational benches will be set along the plank road, to provide quiet and independent space for visitors. 

July and August are the best season for visitors to enjoy the lotus market. Every summer, the lake is covered with lotus flowers and the willows flutter in the wind on the shore. The beautiful natural scenery is the most important reason why the Lotus Market is so famous. Winter is also a good time to pay a visit, because the lake turns into a natural ice rink and visitors can indulge themselves with the help of various skating tools.

 

Lotus Market is best place to appreciate the lake scenery of Shichahai and there are two recommended ways. The first choice is to walk on the plank road. The 300 meters (328 yards) long plank road was built beside the water, providing a good place for tourists to enjoy the view. This is also a popular way for local people to spend their time. The second choice is to rent a boat on the wharf of Lotus Market to row on the lake.
 There are many famous Hutongs near the Lotus Market, and it’s a good choice to visit them to feel the ancient culture of Beijing after enjoying the lake landscape. The most famous Hutongs are Jin Si Tao and Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie). The width of these Hutongs ranges between 3 meters to 5 meters (10-16 feet). Visitors can rent bicycles or rickshaws to explore the criss-cross Hutongs. Along the two sides of the Hutongs are courtyards, the old style residences of local Beijingers, some of which are former residences of the nobility.
 1. Take subway line 6 and get off at the Beihai North and go east for about 450 meters (500 yards) to get to the south gate of the Lotus Market .
2. Take bus line 107, 111, 118,13, 3, 42, 612, 701, Sightseeing no. 3 and get off at the North Gate of Beihai, and go east for about 300 meters (330 yards) to get to the south gate of the Lotus Market.
 

Admission Fee	Free
Opening Hours	All day

 Other Nearby Attractions:
Prince Gong’s Mansion
Beihai Park