These are the three rear lakes and like the front lakes are nice to explore. A scenic spot with weeping willows on the lake shore. Bars, restaurants and quaint shops line the area and it has a lively night scene. There are also boats for hire in the warmer months. A good place for a stroll or rickshaw ride to explore the neighbourhood of hutongs.

The Three Lakes are located to the North of downtown Beijing, between the Earthly Peace and the Moral Victory Gate. The three rear lakes include the Shicha Lake or Front Lake; The Houhai or Rear Lake; the Jishui Lake. The Shicha Lake is to the Southwest of the Drum Tower. It was know as a Lake Dapozi during the Yuan Dynasty. Guess what? You can swim there! Or row a boat. I did it and it was fun. The Rear Lake I think is best in the sunset and it is almost magical at that time. The cranes and birds around the area make it almost surreal. You can see a Temple by the Jishui Lake, The Jinge Temple. The most interesting feature though is by the Northeastern corner of Jishui Lake, which the locals also called Jingye Lake. There is a small island with a Temple built by Emperor Yongle between the1400’s to 1425. It was called the Convent of the Goddess of Mercy Who Calms the Waters. Later on Qianlong had the Temple reconstructed and erected a steal that is just terrific! And behind the Temple there is massive rock. Some said it was a meteorite more than 1000 years old. In the rock you can see the image of a lion and a chicken. This is why the area is called the Chicken and Lion Beach. I rented a boat to cruise the lakes. I paid about $45.00 and this included music and snacks. You can rent the boats by Ping’an Daijie on the opposite of the North Gate of Beihai Park. Truly a relaxing activity!