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Back Lakes (Hou Hai)


TripAdvisor Traveller Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #9 of 197 attractions in Beijing
Traveller Description: This area of Beijing contains some of the most extensive old hutong neighborhoods and the three lakes of Xihai, Houhai and Oianhai.
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Attraction type: Lake, Bar/club, Neighbourhood
Activities: Nightlife, Dining, Walking
Address: Dianmen Outer Avenue Beijing
China

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
Malaysia
14 Dec 2009

and u will find so much to see there. We saw Buddhist volunteers chanting some mantra while releasing fishes into the lake, locals doing Latin dance in the park, old folks exercising and even an old couple taking a swim in the lake - in winter!! Though surrounded by bars and restaurants, we were too full from breakfast to drop... more

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4 of 5 stars
San Francisco, California
20 Jul 2009

I visited this area with friends. We had dinner at QuanJuDe for duck, and then walked along the lake as the nightclubs were starting with music. As noted in another review, there is a Starbucks. There are a lot of bars, but most were high-priced and had staff outside actively recruiting customers. We went to one on the south section... more

11 Jun 2009
1
person found this review helpful

The Hou Hai lakes were very close to where our hotel was and as a result we ate there most evenings. The food was fantastic and very good value for money at most of the restaurants but the drinks (especially soft drinks) were horribly over priced and more expensive than you would pay in most european restaurants. There were many... more

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4 of 5 stars
Chapel Hill, NC
25 May 2009

I stopped by the Houhai area twice during my trip to Beijing -- first and night and then during the afternoon. Don't bother going in the afternoon, but don't miss it for dinner a boat ride and maybe a bar or two. We ate at the Quanjude Roast Duck restaurant, and enjoyed both the food and show there before heading... more

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5 of 5 stars
Denville, New Jersey
10 Mar 2009
1
person found this review helpful

A suggested way to spend the evening at Hou Hai: Arrive a little early and hit the "Kao Rou Ji" restaurant. You can't miss it, it's right next to Yinding Bridge, a huge building that serves unbelievably good lamb. Order the special lamb dish (that everyone else orders), a plate of sheep stomach (amazingly good), and whatever else that looks... more

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4 of 5 stars
Tampa, Florida
14 Aug 2008
1
person found this review helpful

A visit to this area is very nice and pleasant. We enjoyed a very nice stroll along the water and then decided to rent a pedal boat for an hour. It was very pleasant and was reasonable too. Even if you see a few souls in the water, I think I'd stay in the boat and not take any chances... more

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5 of 5 stars
Washington DC, District of Columbia
2 Jul 2008
2
people found this review helpful

Hou Hai is the new hot spot in Beijing's night life scene. Many bars/restaurants are located here with a very Chinese atmosphere. The buildings are of the old Beijing style, giving you a sense of history and culture of the Middle Kingdom (i.e. the direct translation of China). Many of the bars/restaurants have live performance. Compared to the night life... more

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4 of 5 stars
Los Angeles, California
4 Jan 2007
5
people found this review helpful

The Back Lakes are easily the most photogenic part of Beijing, save the old Forbidden City. While the modern city of Wangfujing Street is unspectacular and the even-more-modern city of the new CBD bears little resemblance to the China you imagine, the Back Lakes offer great restaurants, a lively bar scene and interesting scenery. Go for dinner, stay for a... more

19 Nov 2009

いついっても損はしないと思いますが、暗くなってからの后海は更にオススメです。ひとりで行くのはすこし怖いかもしれませんが、... more

14 Nov 2009

前海とちがって、后海はのんびりした地元度の高く、池の周りをぶらぶら歩きするのにピッタリです。宋慶齢旧居あとなど文化的な香... more

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Back Lakes (Hou Hai) Address

Dianmen Outer Avenue, Beijing, China