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Parks
Beihai
Beihai (North Sea Lake), supposedly created by Kublai Khan, is actually a
man-made lake with a big island in the middle. Most of the buildings in
the park sit on the island including a White Dagoba, an onion-shaped
Tibetan pagoda that was erected in honor of the fifth Dalai Lama on his
visit to Bejing in 1651.
 On
the north side of the lake is the Jiulongbi (Nine-Dragon Screen). Like the
one in the Forbidden City, this screen, too, is made from colored, glazed
tiles. At 27 meters, it's also one of China's longest. Once used to
protect a temple (that no longer stands) from invading evil spirits, today
it is an important art piece and one of the best examples of its kind.
 Near
the Nine-Dragon Screen are the Five-Dragon Pavilions, constructed during
the Ming Dynasty. The pavilions together are supposed to be in the shape
of a dragon's spine.
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