Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Beijing and find a quiet retreat where you can embrace nature and history? This 2-day itinerary in Huairou is just what you need.

Day 1 — Hongluo Temple → Qunsheng Courtyard → Yanqi Lake → C. Straits Café → Bona Film Industry Park → Stay overnight

Hongluo Temple

Hongluo Temple sits on the southern slopes of Hongluo Mountain, north of Huairou town. Follow the mountain's 10-km hiking trail to the viewing platform and you'll be rewarded with ever-changing panoramas of mountains, lakes, and valleys.

Qunsheng Courtyard

Fancy something different for lunch? Don’t miss the authentic donkey-meat feast at Qunsheng Courtyard. Founded in 1986, the brand carries forward Dongba’s centuries-old legacy to offer classic Beijing-style braised donkey meat.

Yanqi Lake

After a hearty meal at Qunsheng Courtyard, you can head to Yanqi Lake. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the area: strolling along the shore for tranquil waterside views, climbing the trails for sweeping panoramas, or cycling around the entire lake.

C. Straits Café 

When you need a break, come to C. Straits Café for a cup of hand-made coffee and a refined light bite.

The "Never-Ending" Music Festival at Bona Film Industry Park 

Just a short walk from the café brings you to the Bona Film Industry Park in Yangsong Town, where you can catch the free 2025 Huairou "Never-Ending" Music Festival. Running from May to December, the festival stages about 20 events covering classical, folk, rock, and pop music. In addition to the concerts, the festival will also host markets for film, technology, intangible cultural heritage, folk customs, food, and cultural-creative products.

Day 2 — Mutianyu Great Wall → Yisonglou Restaurant → Wa Museum

Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu section, stretching about 5,400 meters, is one of the highlights of the Ming Great Wall. Recent upgrades have made the site more visitor-friendly and tech-savvy.

For example, multilingual self-service ticket machines now accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX and major mobile payment options, making purchase much easier for foreign visitors. The site has also introduced an AI robot that interacts via voice within a 5-meter radius — providing information, route guidance or the latest updates; and it can even act as a personalized audio guide.

Yisonglou Restaurant

Located at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall, Yisonglou Restaurant offers an elegant setting and down-to-earth, authentic local dishes — the perfect way to refuel after your Great Wall stroll.

Wa Museum

After meal, stop by the Wa Museum. Set inside a red-brick building, the museum blends local heritage with contemporary art — a nice fusion of tradition and creativity.

Come to Huairou for a refreshing micro-getaway!

(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)