What is the cultural background and characteristics of Houhai? Is there anything to eat, play or visit?
It is called Sanhou Lake. Houhai East starts from Di 'anmenwai Street, reaches Xinjiekou Street in the west, Ping 'an Street in the south and Second Ring Road in the north, with a total area of 146.7 hectares, including 34 hectares of water area and 1 1.5 hectares of green land. This is the ancient waters of the Yuan Dynasty in Beijing 700 years ago.
Houhai, a part of Shichahai after thousands of years, is a secluded place with water views and weeping willows. The houses and residents on the shore, the surrounding Wang Fu and the former residences of celebrities spread the infinite charm of Beijing flavor and history. People come here just to listen to the crisp insects in autumn, look at the miniature of the quadrangle architecture in old Beijing and chew the royal charm that seems to have long gone.
It is said to be a "sea", but it is actually a huge artificial lake, which was exclusive to the royal family in the old days. Houhai is located in the center of Beijing, only four or five stops away from Tiananmen Square, connected with the famous Beihai Yishui, far away from Jingshan and the Forbidden City. If you walk along the coast, you will see the red wall of Lake Biwa if you are not careful. Outside those tall and solemn gates, you can only see the tall and gloomy trees in the yard. There is a mystery in this. It is said that the water in Houhai is connected with Long Mai in the Forbidden City, which has been a treasure trove of geomantic omen since ancient times. Therefore, monks of all ages built temples here, while princes and ministers chose to build houses and gardens on the shore. Celebrities also moved to the lake and started their first waterfront life on Houhai Lake. Therefore, as the saying goes, "Shichahai comes first, then Beijing".
Houhai notes
Author: Huang Li
Houhai is actually only a part of Shichahai, but we are used to calling Shichahai instead of Houhai. What we usually call "going to Houhai" is probably going to Qianhai, going to the lotus market, and going to the island in the lake to drink expensive tea for a while; I can also go to the West Sea, climb the Huitong Temple, or spend twenty or thirty yuan to "steal a half-day leisure" to go fishing in the center of this ancient capital, but I have never fished there, so I decided to go fishing this summer. It is also possible to really go to Houhai, which is one of the three relatively independent small lakes in Shichahai. In my opinion, it is not the lung of the city as environmentalists say, but a slightly narrow stomach.
In the concept of old Beijing, I like Houhai best. Even when people come and go, Houhai, hidden among high-rise buildings, is quiet. Get off at the Drum Tower, cross the Yandai Xiejie, and you will arrive at Yinding Bridge. People are on the bridge, with their left hands in front of the sea and their right hands behind the sea.
I usually set off along the left bank of Houhai and pass through rows of bars. The bar is obviously more depressed in winter than in summer, but the winters in recent years are much more lively than before. After the cruise terminal, I often go boating there, sometimes several people, sometimes two people, and sometimes one person. I like that kind of leisurely moment. After crossing Yeyadao, there are more and more ducks there, and some beautiful waterfowl spend the night here. But I always doubted Yeyadao's firmness. Yeyadao really sank to the bottom of the sea one year, and Yeyadao was surrounded by wooden fences to prevent cruise ships from hurting Yeyadao, and no one would hurt wild ducks. In fact, many buildings are made of marble. Yeyadao can build them with rough marble, and then build a low pavilion on them for the wild ducks to live in. After Kong Yiji Hotel, there is a bridge, and the flowing water under the bridge comes from the West Sea. Then, after passing Shichahai Snack Street, Soong Ching Ling's former residence, a fitness center and a courtyard with an unknown low tower, we returned to YinDing Qiao.
If I am in high spirits, I will continue to walk around the West Sea. In recent years, the West Sea has become more and more impetuous in the city, and I don't like it very much. If you're not interested, cross the smoky street and go home by car. If you are interested again because of the delicious taste of the tobacco pouch, you will go to the alley near the Drum Tower and Bell Tower. It is said that every hutong has lived with prominent dignitaries, and it may become a thick dictionary after textual research.
I like the sea after winter, and there are few tourists when there are few trees in the back sea. I walked along the lake alone, so I didn't have any worries. Like the sea after spring, the wicker slowly turns green, "the willow color is far away, but there is no", the ice surface melts, and the "Spring River Plumbing Duck Prophet" can vividly see the footsteps of spring through Houhai; In summer, I like Houhai, where tourists are everywhere, but there are not many lotus flowers. Three or two branches are deserted by the water. I like summer nights in Houhai, and there are endless songs to sing every night. Bars on both sides of the strait sing melancholy blues, and the paddle lights on the lake are dim like dreams. I don't like Houhai Lake in autumn. The prosperity fades, the leaves rustle and the cruise ship leans listlessly on the shore. When tourists come here, they will feel sad, and that kind of sadness rises from the bottom of their hearts. At this time, it is suitable to bring a pot of turbid wine to Houhai, and Houhai will play a song for you, which makes people cry.
However, when I went to Houhai this time, the legendary swordsman, played by a guzheng, floated far away, intermittent, strong and weak, and the leisurely tune made me linger for a long time and could not bear to leave.
I like to share with others when I go to Houhai. I am an extremely enthusiastic person and like to talk about beautiful things. I will soon become the most competent tour guide in Houhai. I prefer to walk in Houhai with my beloved, but maybe I am so obsessed with Houhai that few people like to accompany me to Houhai. They may not understand my feelings for Houhai. Yes, Houhai is not my hometown. It has nothing to do with me. Why am I so obsessed with Houhai? Perhaps a rhyme poem on the rocks on the shore of Houhai tells the reason: half a pool of duck and green water, a few gusts of willow wind. Looking for the path of incense slowly, I doubt that I am connected with Taoyuan. Yinger is still singing and people are still painting.
The original poem "Taoyuan" is called "Taoyuan", which must be a clerical error. I just like Houhai, which just confirms the pastoral complex of scholars all the time, right? Confined to the trivial matters of the world of mortals, isn't this "urban paradise" in a quiet corner a little comfort to my wandering soul and a moment's peace to my impetuous mind?
[Edit this paragraph] Houhai Bar:
Similar to other bars, simple old furniture, green plants, personalized decoration and lazy feeling. There are not many bars in Houhai area, so maybe the space can avoid too much noise, which is why I like to come to Houhai bar.
The moon is high and the clouds are light, the light is ambiguous, and the faint erhu or pipa sound wafts from the cruise ship on the lake, adding a petty bourgeoisie to the quiet Houhai. Whispering lovers, brothers who treat wine as a song. Melodious piano sounds remind people of the river in my hometown and my childhood friend Xia Na, who caught crickets at night.
Houhai is a place suitable for nostalgia. Every time I come to Houhai, I feel nostalgic. Taking your girlfriend to Houhai to feel the romance of Beijing is the most worthy thing to consider this season.