The small island is connected with the Circular City by Yong'an Bridge, A giant white pagoda rises on top of it. In summer lotus blossoms bloom in the lake surrounding the island.
The small castle outside the southern gate of Beihai Park was built on a base of 4.6 meters high. It is surrounded by a circular wall of 276 meters long. The seclusive garden is decorated with palatial halls and pavilions and ancient trees.
The main structure in the Circular City has a square platform in front and a roof of several tiers of flying eaves. The roof is covered with glazed yellow tiles and edged with green glazed tiles. During the Ming Dynasty the emperor liked to come here to watch fireworks. It was converted into a Buddha hall during the Qing Dynasty. Now there is a Buddha statue of white jade in it.
It was originally built in 1651 but collapsed in an earthquake. The present structure was a later reconstruction. The lamaist pagoda is 35.9 meters high with a tiered base and a body like an upturned bowl. Sutras in Tibetan language are carved inside the front gate. Fourteen copper bells hang from its copper canopy on top of which is a gilt ball like a flame.
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