Tucked away among the mountains and waterways on Beijing's outskirts, these hidden gems each offer a unique way to enjoy the moon this Mid-Autumn Festival. Let's take a look!
Mentougou District: Cuandixia Village
At Cuanshe Homestay (爨舍民宿) in Cuandixia Village, the Mid-Autumn festivities unfold amid the fragrance of pears and the glow of lanterns in the ancient village. Activities include exploring the ancient village, making lanterns, creating intangible cultural heritage rubbings and painting roof tiles.
When the moon is high, visitors can gather under the trees for a moon-viewing feast, enjoying pears and mooncakes while sharing stories.
Recommended nearby venues:
Cuanshe Homestay: Its spacious courtyards retain the original layout of the traditional residence, making it an ideal spot for moon viewing.
Zheye Coffee: Converted from an ancient dwelling, the café retains the original character of the old residence. Its elegant courtyard serves coffee, specialty drinks and light meals.
Miyun District: Beijing WTown
During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the entire water town will come alive with immersive nighttime experiences. Visitors can take an evening boat ride under the moonlight, solve lantern riddles, release handmade river lanterns and interact with NPCs, all while relaxing in the festive atmosphere.
Recommended nearby venues:
Muyin Homestay Cluster: A pet-friendly accommodation complex with modern design and courtyard swimming pools. Ideal for families or groups of friends, it also welcomes pets.
In the Cloud Coffee: Perched at the highest point in the water town, it offers panoramic views. By day, visitors can look out over the town's traditional buildings; by night, they can take in the lights and full moon.
Yanqing District: Beijing Shi Yuan International Tourism Resort
The resort will host a Mid-Autumn garden party featuring intangible cultural heritage workshops, live music and flash-mob performances. After nightfall, visitors can head to a high vantage point with friends to admire the moon and soak up the romantic Mid-Autumn atmosphere.
Recommended nearby venues:
Beijing Dazizai Homestay: A neo-Chinese-style courtyard homestay with a water feature and viewing terraces. The terraces are ideal for stargazing and moon viewing, while the spacious courtyard suits small family gatherings.
SU Yu Tea& Bar: It serves tea brewed over a small stove, along with desserts and light meals. Its cozy autumn atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for afternoon tea or a casual get-together with friends.
Huairou District: Beigou Village
In Huairou, autumn comes alive in the chestnut groves at the foot of the Great Wall. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, visitors can head into the hills with long poles to harvest chestnuts. In the afternoon, families can join village workshops to make mooncakes and craft lanterns. After dark, they can unwind to live music at a moon-viewing concert under the stars for a wonderfully laid-back end to the day.
Recommended nearby venues:
Brickyard Retreat: A boutique hotel converted from a former glazed-tile factory. Its distinctive red-brick and glazed-tile architecture features large windows framing views of the Great Wall and surrounding mountains. Pets are welcome.
Waterfall Café: A rustic outdoor café surrounded by nature, with seating overlooking the woods. It's an ideal stop for a coffee during a hike or a relaxing break with your pet.
Changping District: Xinzhuang Village
Event date: September 26
Climb Juyongguan Pass, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven," and watch the full moon rise. After descending, there is no need to head straight home: drive to Xinzhuang International Art Village for an autumn sunset concert and enjoy a relaxed evening filled with music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Recommended nearby venues:
Zhenshun Huakai Homestay: A European pastoral-style courtyard homestay with flower arches and a garden. Pets are welcome. It is ideal for taking photos and enjoying a family getaway.
7 Sevening Coffee: An art-themed café featuring vintage pieces and playful cultural and creative products. It's a convenient place to stop for coffee and a break while exploring the art village.
Pinggu District: Jinhai Lake Scenic Area
During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Jinhai Lake Scenic Area will host a lawn concert featuring live performances by professional bands. Visitors can enjoy the lakeside scenery and live music, then gather with family and friends on the lawn to admire the moon and sample Pinggu peaches and mooncakes – a quintessential autumn experience.
Recommended nearby venues:
Beijing Bushe Shangzhai Homestay: A gold-rated rural homestay with grey-brick courtyards, located near Jinhai Lake. Pets are welcome.
Floating Mountain Coffee: Perched on a mountaintop above Jinhai Lake, it offers sweeping views of the lake and surrounding scenery.
Shunyi District: Beijing International Flower Port
The 2026 Beijing Chrysanthemum Cultural Event and the Beijing International Flower Port Chrysanthemum Cultural Festival are underway in Shunyi. Cosmos, zinnias and sulphur cosmos are in full bloom throughout the park. A packed program of events, including a public talent competition and flower-goddess performances, adds to the festive atmosphere. The park also offers specialty food and cultural and creative handicraft activities, alongside pet interactions, equestrian experiences and camping, making for a fun-filled Mid-Autumn outing.
Recommended nearby venues:
Xiangzhu Banshanyaji Homestay: A modern, minimalist rural-style courtyard homestay with a spacious terrace and courtyard. Pets are welcome.
Hold On Coffee: A cozy neighborhood café serving coffee, desserts and light meals – ideal for a relaxing break.
Daxing District: World Rose Theme Park
The themed event Central Axis Weishan–Fun Culture Expo Garden Party (中轴魏善·趣玩文博) is taking place from September 25 to October 7. It brings together museum exhibitions, interactive games and intangible cultural heritage craft workshops. By day, visitors can stroll through the park, admire the flowers, explore museum exhibits and watch performances and parades. After dark, they can take part in an immersive murder-mystery game among the flowers, following interactive storylines with NPCs under the moonlight.
Recommended nearby venues:
Huazhu Yuejishiguang (花筑・月季时光) Homestay: A Mediterranean-style homestay with a courtyard pool and spacious grounds. It's ideal for groups of friends seeking a relaxing getaway.
Café Flatwhite: A spacious café with a clean, minimalist design and a wide selection of light meals, ideal for dining or taking a break.
Fangshan District: Huangshandian Village
In Huangshandian Village, visitors can wander through the hills and woods, admiring the smoke trees as their leaves begin to turn red and taking in the quiet beauty of autumn. They can also stay at a mountain homestay, sipping tea and admiring the moon from the terrace. For a livelier outing, the Harvest Carnival at nearby Tianyu Villa features live singer performances and traditional molten-iron fireworks performances.
Recommended nearby venues:
Dawu Xiaoshe (Huangshandian, Fangshan District): A charming countryside homestay known for its oversized oil-tank photo spot and spacious courtyard. It is pet-friendly and offers a rustic countryside atmosphere.
Yangjuan - Coffee (Huangshandian Village, Fangshan District): A rustic village café converted from a former sheep pen, where visitors can interact with lambs. Its stone-wall architecture also makes it a great spot for photos.
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
