Located in Beihai Park in the center of downtown Beijing, it has become an important landmark of the city. It was built in 1651 during the Qing Dynasty.
Standing 35.9 meters high, the inverted-bowl-style Lamaist dagoba on top of Qiong Islet looks beautiful and majestic. On the bottom is a huge cross-shaped Sumeru pedestal made of white marble. On the front of the dagoba there is a kettle-shaped yanguang gate with incantations inscribed in Sanskrit. A lofty steeple was etched on top of the inverted-bowl body of the dagoba. The base of the steeple is a small Sumeru pedestal, also known as the neck of the dagnba. The main structure of the steeple is surrounded by thirteen tiers of discs and surmounted by a canopy decorated with a crescent moon and precious bead.
According to records in Da Qing Hui Dian (Book of the Qing Dynasty), a signal gun used to be installed on the dagoba and an officer was assigned to look after it, so it could give the alarm in case of emergency. In front of the building is a tall terrace on which a glazed chamber was built, called Shanyin Hall The four sides of the chamber are inlaid with a hundred little statues of Buddha made of glazed bricks. A Buddha of a thousand hands and a thousand eyes, who, as legend has it, defends Beihai, is enshrined in the chamber. This chamber is also regarded as part of the White Dagoba.
The view in front of the magnificent White Dagoba on top of White Dagoba Hill is of the golden tiles and red walls of the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park with its five pavilions to the east and the graceful buildings of Tuancheng (the Round City) and the green waves of Zhongnanhai to the south. One can also have a panoramic view of the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of History and many high-rise buildings in Beijing. It is one of the most popular scenic spots in the capital.
