Beihai Park, Tuancheng

Beihai Park's Tuancheng is not large in size, but it is rich in treasures. Chengguang Hall is the main building of Tuancheng. During the Yuan dynasty, it was known as the Yitian Hall. It was rebuilt in the Ming dynasty and renamed Chengguang Hall. Inside the hall, there is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, commonly known as the White Jade Buddha. Legend has it that during the Guangxu period, Monk Ming Kuan brought it from Myanmar as an offering to Empress Dowager Cixi. The jade statue of the Buddha has a kind and serene face, with a body pure white. The crown and the folds of the robes are inlaid with red and green gemstones, dazzling to behold. In front of the hall, there is a courtyard where the Dushan Great Jade Sea is placed. It is said to be a wine vessel specially made by Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Yuan, to reward his soldiers. There are many ancient trees in the courtyard, among which two are the most remarkable: one is a white pine and the other is a black pine, both planted during the Jin dynasty and respectively honored by Emperor Qianlong with the titles 'White Robe General' and 'Shade Marquis'.