Located in central Beijing, Shichahai consists of three lakes called Qianhai (¡°Front Sea¡± Lake), Houhai (¡°Back Sea¡± Lake) and Xihai (¡°West Sea¡± Lake) which extend from the southeast to northwest respectively. It covers an area of 5.4 million square meters, including drainage area of 340,000 square meters. With convenient transportation and favorable environment, it is a well-known scenic attraction of Beijing.

In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Shichahai was the terminal of the Grand Canal, along which were abundant teahouses and businesses. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, the canal stopped operation. Shichahai changed from a bustling hub to a quiet place of leisure, regarded as ¡°the best water scenic spot in the city¡±, having a great appeal to numerous literary people who came here writing poems or essays, as well as nobles and officials who built their houses here. This resulted in the building of mansions, gardens and temples circling the waters. As to the name ¡°Shichahai¡±, some people believe that it comes from the fact that there were ten temples around the lake in the Ming Dynasty. ¡°Ten¡± is identical in sound with the word ¡°Shi¡± in Chinese. Other people hold that the name originated from a temple called ¡°Shichahai Temple¡± to the northwest bank of Shichahai. Today¡¯s Shichahai is spiritually nurturing the people who come here, adding new flavor of gentleness and beauty to this powerful, ancient Chinese capital.

Along the lake¡¯s zigzagging bank are bars, restaurants, shops and residential houses. The absence of fences separating the buildings gives everyone the access to the beauty of Shichahai. Also, this rare drainage area provides many opportunities for the residents and visitors to hold colorful activities. Pedestrians and bike-riders can enjoy the leafy shade given by the arbors such as willows, white poplars and pagoda trees alongside the lake. In the gardens and on the benches, people socialize and rest. There are a variety of open-air activities in every season, such as skating, boating, playing chess, flying kites, kicking shuttlecock, etc. In the dusk, many people gather together in the parks alongside the lake, dancing and singing. Shichahai is like a green tie representing the community spirit to encourage people to sense the vigor of this humane city.