Five-dragon Pavilion

Five-dragon Pavilion is located in the west of the northern shore of Beihai. It was built in the 30th year of Wanli of the Ming Dynasty (1602), and it was repaired repeatedly in the Qing Dynasty. This place was originally the site of the Taisu Hall in the Ming Dynasty. In the eighth year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (AD 1651), the Taisu Hall was demolished and converted into five pavilions.

The Five-dragon Pavilion stretches into the water and consists of five pavilions, all of which are square in shape and arranged in a staggered manner. The jade pavilions are connected by a bridge and a white jade railing in an S shape, like a giant dragon, so it is called the dragon pavilion.

The largest pavilion in the middle, called Longze Pavilion, was used by the emperor when he rested. The roof is a double-edged spire, and the bottom is square, the upper is rounded, which means "a place with a round sky and square earth", symbolizing that the emperor’s power is supreme; the two pavilions on the left are named "Chengxiang" and "Zixiang", and the Chengxiang Pavilion is the double-edged eaves. The Zixiang Pavilion is a single eave; the two pavilions on the right are named "SongRui" and "Fucui", which are the same as those on the left. Collectively known as the Five Dragon Pavilion. The entire group of buildings are arranged in a symmetrical way, and the setting of different architectural forms also fully shows the distinction of imperial power.

The five pavilions are all green glazed tile roofs, with yellow glazed roof tiles trimmed, and the beams under the eaves are painted with small golden spines, which are colorful and brilliant. There is a single-hole stone bridge under the three pavilions of Longze, Zixiang, and Fucui, leading to the north bank. Each pavilion has a plaque hanging under the eaves.