Every winter, the waterfalls on the outskirts of Beijing will be frozen and become a beautiful landscape, which is a breathtaking gift given by the nature. Every year, the period left for tourists to appreciate the marvelous beauty of ice waterfalls is very short. Those who are interested in the winter natural landscape should not miss it!
Shenquan Gorge [Photo via VCG]
1. Shenquan Gorge
Located in Tanchang Village, Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District, Shenquan Gorge Scenic Area is 50 kilometers away from downtown Beijing. Although some of its landscapes are man-made ice formations through water spraying, its natural beauty still can impress tourists with the landform of mountains and the natural scenes, making it an ideal place not only for sightseeing but also for photographing.
Within an area of 5 square kilometers in the scenic area, the murmuring sound of a stream can be heard but its source is hard to find, hence the name "Shenquan" (Mysterious Mountain Spring). The stream turns and twists in the valley, flows down the mountain and into the Yongding River. Most of the materials used in the construction of the scenic area are obtained locally so that the natural ecology of the region can be adequately maintained. The existing ancient roads and pathways are fully utilized to minimize the damage to the original ecological environment.
Address: Shenquan Gorge Scenic Area, Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District, Beijing
2. Beijing Huyu Natural Scenic Area
As a national level scenic area, Beijing Huyu Natural Scenic Area is located in the north side of Badaling Expressway which is 9 kilometers northwest to Changping District. As a AA level tourist attraction, it boasts the Golden Shine of Tiger Ravine (虎峪辉金), one of the top 8 landscapes in ancient Beijing.
Since the Huyu Natural Scenic Area is located in a mountainous area, the temperature is low. Based on the characteristics of the mountainous area, the scenic area offers tourists the spectacular beauty of ice waterfall in winter. With an area of up to 20,000 square meters, the ice waterfall varies in shapes and impresses tourists with its crystal clearness and magnificence!
Address: North to Huyu Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, Beijing
Changyucheng [Photo via VCG]
3. Changyucheng
The beauty of Changyucheng in Changping District has never let its tourists down. In winter, the murmuring river at the foot of the reservoir dam of Changyucheng is frozen into a spotless white "jade ribbon" dancing in the mountain, which seems to be an art work of nature with its superlative craftsmanship.
Address: Changyucheng Reservoir, Liucun Town, Changping District, Beijing
4. Taoyuan Xiangu Natural Scenic Area
As part of the Yunmeng Mountain region, Taoyuan Xiangu Natural Scenic Area offers a series of landscapes including one lake, six waterfalls, and thirteen ponds, and one mountain spring and four pools. In winter, the waterfalls in the valley and the streams cascading down the mountain are frozen into natural ice sculptures of different shapes and colors, just like handicrafts carved out of a white jade.
Address: (Miguanlu), Shicheng Town, Miyun District, Beijing
Yunpugou Scenic Area [Photo via VCG]
5. Yunpugou Scenic Area
Yunpugou Scenic Area is located at the junction of Yanqing District and Hebei Province, with a height of 1,157 meters above the sea level. There are many streams and waterfalls in the ravine, hence giving it the name "Yunpugou". Despite artificial traces of the ice waterfalls, the natural mountains and perennial streams still give tourists the enjoyment of a mountain tour.
Location: Bankuaidoufushan Mountain, East to Longqing Gorge Scenic Area, Yanqing District, Beijing (Northwestern Side of Yanqing Basin)
(Source: VisitBeijing.com.cn)