Citywalk Early Autumn at Shichahai, Beijing

With the start of the new school year, the number of tourists in the capital has sharply decreased, and Beijing has quieted down. In the early morning, the sky is azure blue, with clouds rolling and unrolling. The famous dragon mascot of Shichahai still stands tall and majestic. The weeping willows by the water sway gently, their reflections rippling, with lotus flowers blooming, wild ducks weaving through, and the distant Bell and Drum Towers faintly visible through the dense foliage. The boatmen of the rowing boats await tourists, while rows of red-roofed rickshaws carry visitors through the streets and alleys. These days, most of the tourists are locals, enjoying the picturesque and tranquil early autumn at Shichahai. The Shichahai scenic area in Beijing includes the three water bodies of Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai, as well as the surrounding areas. The term 'hai' here means lake in Mongolian. In ancient times, the surrounding area was filled with numerous Buddhist and Taoist temples, ancestral halls, princely mansions, shops, and densely packed courtyard houses, including many former residences of famous people. More prevalent is the grassroots market atmosphere, with the local Beijing dialect and charm, continuing the cultural history of the capital. Divided by the Yinding Bridge into Qianhai and Houhai, Qianhai is generally referred to as Shichahai or Lotus Market, and is the most bustling.