Luxury Houseboats and Gondolas Bring New Dimension to Cruising

Typical of inhabitants of an inland city, Beijingers have a special love of water, especially lakes, rivers, water-fun parks and a city-centre canal that was once part of the original imperial water system. If not frolicking in the H2O, then citizens and tourists like to travel on it, especially by pleasure boats and recently introduced houseboats on Beijing’s myriad lakes. The former imperial waterway affords pleasant  ever-changing scenic and other views along its total length.   

Lake cruise boats serve dinner to their 20 or so passengers, who are also serenaded on traditional Chinese instruments by folk-music performers. Each passenger is also given a small paper boat containing a lighted candle which he or she lowers into the water for good luck.  

Some 700 years ago, the Changhe River between Xizhimen and the Summer Palace was part of the imperial water system, a riverhead of the imperial moat’s western and northern areas. It was also the riverhead of Jishuitan, Shichahai, Beihai and Zhongnanhai. Royal families during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) often visited the Summer Palace by boat along Changhe. Dowager Cixi always took the boat from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace.

In 1905, Zhan Tianyou, one of China’s most outstanding engineers, designed the railway from Beijing to Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province. In doing so, he changed the route of Changhe because the railway’s starting point had to be at Xizhimen, also the starting point of the river.

The river section between Xizhimen and Deshengmen, part of today’s Changhe route, was then called Zhuanhe because of its distinctive curve. In the 1970s, Zhuanhe was land-filled, but in late 2003 it was restored as a river with a length of 3.7 kilometres.

Today, tourists and local people can enjoy themselves aboard wupeng, houseboats which originated in southern China, and gondola-like craft that are vaguely Venetian.  Zhuanhe’s banks are now comprised largely of stones of different shape, interspersed by willow, calamus, bullrushes and lotus trees and plants.

The three luxury houseboat routes starting at Changhe, Zhuanhe and Kunyuhe are already in operation. Passengers can order food and stay on board for one night, while up to 20 people can have family get-togethers or business parties.

Houseboat Routes/Times
The houseboats sail on the hour each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., setting out from Beizhan (Beijing Exhibition Centre at Xizhimen) and Yuyuantan, which is alongside the China Millennium Monument. Starting in June, evening tours will depart at 7 p.m.

Changhe Route: from Beizhan to Summer Palace
While en route, passengers will pass Beijing Zoo, Five Pagodas Temple, National Library, Purple Bamboo Park and Wanshou Temple before arriving at Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace.

Price: 40 yuan for one-way trip, 70 yuan for round trip

Getting there: Buses No.15, 19, 27, 105, 111, 360, 808, and 904 depart from the Beizhan stop. Walk 10 minutes to the north to Beizhan Wharf.

Travel time: 50 minutes for one way trip, two hours for round trip.

Tel: +86 10 8838 4476

Zhuanhe Route: from Beizhan to Deshengmen
Along the route, passengers will pass Xizhimen Railway Station and universities in Haidian District. After 40 minutes, they arrive at their destination, Deshengmen, close to the wharf, where there is a likeness of the Eiffel Tower called Deshengmen. Here they can enjoy snacks and drinks.

Price: 50 yuan for one way trip, 70 yuan for round trip.

Getting there: Buses No.15, 19, 27, 105, 111, 360, 808 and 904 depart from the Beizhan stop. Walk 10 minutes to the north to find Beizhan Wharf.

Kunyuhe Route: from Yuyuantan to Summer Palace
En route, passengers will pass the CCTV Tower and Yong’an Temple Pagoda. Birthday parties, cocktail parties, karaoke and even wedding ceremonies can be held during the cruise.

Price: 60 yuan for one way trip, 80 yuan for round trip.

Getting there: Buses No.1, 4, 52, 57 or No.1 Subway. Dismount at Military Museum Station, walk 10 minutes to the north to Bayi Lake at Yuyuantan.

Tel: +86 10 6852 9429

Boating in City Centre
Boating at Shichahai is widely popular among lovers especially because of the romantic atmosphere. As the largest lake in the city centre, Shichahai is perennially popular and open most of the year. It is always a busy place. But general organization is good, making a hassle-free night out for friends and families. The boats here have a beautiful young girl on board, playing folk music on traditional instruments. Tourists in particular find this service unique and very enjoyable.

As Shichahai is made up of Qianhai, Xihai and Houhai, passengers can board the boats at different locations, such as the Lotus Market and Ingot Bridge. Besides boating, passengers can chat, enjoy food and drink, and sing and dance at restaurants and bars along the banks of Shichahai.

Not far from Shichahai, boating in Beihai Park has since the 1950s achieved a reputation as a romantic venue for passengers, partly because of its serenity. 

There are several other options for people who like boating in Beijing’s parks, favourites being at Yuyuantan, Taoranting, Longtanhu, and Purple Bamboo parks. Boating is also available on historic Kunming Lake, where Qing Dynasty emperors cruised during the summer.