hou hai is a lake in the first ring (dead center region) of beijing. it's adjacent to the famous bei hai. although a man-made lake, people can still be found fishing around the edges of the lake. in fact, although the water looks really polluted, locals still seem to enjoy taking a dip in it. at the very front, right past the gate, the first building is a starbuck's adorned with old-style chinese architecture. restaurants are plentiful, many with tables right along the lakeside. once past the restaurant area, one reaches the bar district. with a plethora of jiu ba (bars), the lake is known for its aggressive bar workers who try to coerce you into entering their bar. for those uninterested in the questionably authentic alcohol and shoddy nightlife scene, there are motor boats and sparklers available. recently, hou hai has become a tourist hotspot and less so of a local night scene. however, the lotus blossoms are beautiful and it is worth it to pay a visit to hou hai at least once on your trip.