The combination of people-watching and sightseeing offered by Beihai Park, which sits just northwest of the Forbidden City, makes it an excellent destination for long, meandering strolls at almost any time of the year.

The lake here － Beihei roughly translates as "North Sea" occupies half of the park and forms an attractive setting for a variety of pleasant outdoor activities. You can't help but smile when you see the duck-shaped paddleboats ambling by, and chances are you'll be tempted to take to the water yourself.

If you do, you can take some time out to ponder from a different perspective a place that was once a playground of emperors. It's easy to understand why as there's so much to see in this excellent example of a classical garden － after you drag your eyes away from the courting couples cuddling cosily along the banks of the lake!

When you reach the Light Receiving Hall (Chengguang Dian), look out for the white jade Buddha that is inlaid with jewels and was a gift to Empress Dowager Cixi. As you wander around you'll be tempted to poke your head into a variety of pavilions, temples, walkways and halls, all seemingly with a story to tell.

You can't miss the 36-metre high White Dagoba (Bai Ta) which is something of a local landmark. It dates from 1651 and it's believed that sacred objects are encased therein. It's found on Jade Islet, which is also home to the Painted Gallery (Huafang Zhai) walkway.

If all that outdoor exercise makes you feel hungry, there's no shortage of delicious local snacks to choose from.

Around 27 metres long and 5 metres high, the Nine-Dragon Screen (Jiulong Bi) is one of the park's most popular attractions. Constructed largely of colored glazed tiles, the screen was once the entrance to a temple and was intended to scare off evil spirits. Talking of these mythical beasts, the Five-Dragon Pavilion is no stranger to sightseers looking to take a break and admire the view.

If you're blessed with green fingers, or simply like pottering around in your garden, you're going to love the so-called Gardens within Gardens. This series of waterside pavilions, rockeries and twisting corridors were very popular with members of the imperial family, particularly in summer when they － like everyone else in the city － were preoccupied with the tricky task of trying to keep cool! And what a lovely place to do it!

If you're looking for some relief from the noise of the city, where better to go? Structures like the Painted Gallery and the Studio of Mental Calmness are just as relaxing as they sound.

Whether spending some quality time cuddled on a park bench with the love of your life or wandering around the hills and pavilions, Beihai remains a classic day out close to the very heart of the city.

[Pictured: Built in 1757, the Haopu Pavillion stands northeast of the Jade Islet.]

Beijing - The Magnificent City 2004-2005.

Hardback, 271 glorious pictures on 157 full-colour glossy pages, 235x315mm.

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