Built in 1602 and renovated several times during Qing dynasty, the Five-Dragon Pavilions are located in the west end of Beihai Park. Taisu Palace was located here under Ming Dynasty rule, only to be torn down in 1651 and later replaced by the Five-Dragon Pavilions. In the past, Longze Pavilion was a special place for emperors and their concubines to fish, admire the glorious full moon, and enjoy beautiful fireworks, accompanied by civil and military officials sitting in the other four pavilions.
The five square-shaped pavilions are built out over the water with white-marble-railed bridges connecting them in the shape of the letter “S.” The name “Five-Dragon Pavilions” stems from the resemblance of the shape of the bridge to a giant dragon. The pavilion in the middle, known as Longze Pavilion, is the largest with multiple eaves. Moving away from the center pavilion, the two on the left are called Chengxiang Pavilion and Zixiang Pavilion. Chengxiang has multiple eaves while Zixiang is built with single eaves. The two on the right are called Songrui Pavilion and Fucui Pavilion, mirroring the architectural style of the two pavilions on the left. The five pavilions are jointly known as the Five-Dragon Pavilions, each with a plaque right under the eaves. With green glazed tile roofs, yellow glazed tile eaves, and colored paintings on the beams, these pavilions are vibrant and splendid. Single-arch stone bridges on the right of Longze, Zixiang and Fucui Pavilions will lead visitors to the north shore of Beihai Park.
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