Pedal power

If you ask a Beijinger to recommend a cycling route that will take you by storied landmarks of history and culture, most will mention the celebrated bike paths winding through the famous Shichahai neighborhood. This area features picturesque Hehua Chi, or Lotus Lake, and allows cyclists a chance to disembark briefly for a boating trip on Houhai Lake or a bite at one of the many lakeside restaurants and bars.

There are two spots you should not miss in this area. One is the Yindingqiao Bridge linking the Qianhai and Houhai lakes. The stone bridge, built around 500 years ago, looks like a shoe-shaped silver ingot in ancient China. It has long been a favorite location for taking romantic wedding photos.

Another one is the Gongwangfu, former residence of Qing Dynasty Prince Gong. Hailed as a pearl of Qing architecture, the mansion is of great cultural, historical and architectural value. Some believe it provided the blueprint for the Grand View Garden described in the classic novel A Dream of the Red Mansions. It is located on Liuyin Street, on the northwestern corner of Shichahai.