From Nanjing to Beijing, from humid heat to dry heat, the evening glow only seems a bit clearer. By 9 PM, the heat finally starts to dissipate, but Shichahai is still teeming with people. Bars targeting solo travelers are still rampant in their efforts to attract customers. I suddenly discover that the photos posted on Ingress at Yinding Bridge portal were actually taken by me years ago. It’s been several years since I last came, and I have no memory of this; even the name of the nearby Yandaixie Street took me a long time to recall.

There are quite a few new portals of Ingress in Shichahai, so I walked for UPC around both Houhai and Qianhai. Although it was late at night, I kept thinking of the song, “Yinding Bridge can no longer clearly see the western mountains.” It’s this very song that has made this place a must-visit every time I come to Beijing.

Returning to Qianhai, I walked past bars where folk music played, and the “moon in the reflection” was still “negotiating with the streetlight.” The lotus flowers were about to bloom, and the dragon lantern in the street lit up, creating a dance of light and shadows with the tourists under the moonlight. This place remains a wonderful spot for those seeking both noise and tranquility.