As spring awakens and all things renew, follow this recommended getaway route to soak in the vibrant energy of the mountains this weekend in Huairou District.
DAY 1: Yanqi Lake Spring Festival Garden Party – Lunch – Shentangyu Wooden Boardwalk – Accommodation
Yanqi Lake Spring Festival Garden Party
For the first time, the Yanqi Lake International Tourism Resort is teaming up with two popular franchises, Jian Wang 3 (剑网3) and Eggy Party (蛋仔派对), to present a garden fair set against the stunning landscapes of Yanqi Lake. The event is themed around traditional Chinese New Year aesthetics and divided into three themed zones, offering experiences for visitors of all ages.
Duration: Until March 3 (Lantern Festival)
Lunch: Best Scenery Best Fish / LotUs/ Zhouzhou Diaolu Hotpot
Visitors can choose from Best Scenery Best Fish, known for its fresh local Huairou fish dishes; LotUs, which features Thai food; or Zhouzhou Diaolu Hotpot, offering a rustic countryside dining experience.
Shentangyu Boardwalk
As spring approaches, a stroll along the forested trails on the outskirts of Beijing offers a perfect way to soak up the fresh mountain air and the burgeoning vitality of nature.
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Stretching 7,558 meters in total length, the Shentangyu Boardwalk begins on the north side of the archway at the Buye Valley entrance in Yanqi Town and connects four villages along the way, namely Shentangyu, Guandi, Shangguandi, and Shipian, making it the longest waterfront trail within Beijing's valleys and ravines.
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Along the way, visitors will find charming village cafés like Wandering Cafe and 1402 Coffee, where visitors can truly relax with a cup of coffee amidst the scenic mountains and waters.
Accommodation Recommendations:
Beijing Bolo Hotel & Resort, Lianshi Shanfang, WanderHotel, Jiuliji Homestay
DAY 2: WA Art. Architecture Museum – Lunch – Xiangshuihu Great Wall
WA Art. Architecture Museum
Nestled in Beigou Village at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, WA Art. Architecture Museum features a curated mix of NO2LAND designs, sculptures by Gao Xiaowu, and Traveler Magazine on the first floor. It also showcases local Huairou products like Gaolianghe painted ceramics and "Huairou Gifts", alongside intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and the museum's own creations. These diverse elements are arranged in a way that naturally blends into the themes of village life, travel, and everyday living. Visitors can immerse themselves in art while sipping coffee and enjoying delicate desserts.
Visitors can also head to the second floor for the "Keep Being Lovely: Sustainable Living Exhibition", which inspires reflection on resource recycling and the values of life. From the third-floor terrace, visitors can enjoy an unobstructed view of the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall to the north.
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00-18:00
Recommended Lunch:
Dine at the Brickyard Retreat Hotel's Brickyard Bistro, Bei Gala Hot Pot, or Sansa Vietnamese Cuisine, offering everything from traditional Beijing instant-boiled mutton and Huairou local dishes to delicate Western and Vietnamese cuisine. Alternatively, try the rainbow trout at Shuiyunjian or braised pork ribs at Lvji Shanzhuang.
The 7th Beijing Great Wall Plum Blossom Festival & 10th Xiangshuihu Great Wall Plum Exhibition
The exhibition features both indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor area spans over 1,000 square meters, showcasing more than 1,000 plum blossom bonsai in various artistic forms, highlighting the elegance of the flower.
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The outdoor exhibition will open in mid-March, when a specially designed "Plum Blossom Avenue" will wind along the Great Wall, with thousands of plum trees blooming in succession. Visitors can experience the poetic scene of plum blossoms adorning the Great Wall.
Duration: Until April 6
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
