The North Mountain Trail at Jinhai Lake in Pinggu District is among the first 52 tourism and leisure greenways designated in Beijing. The trail is free to access. The 3km short loop is ideal for a family outing, while the 10km longer loop offers a wilder hiking experience. From the summit, hikers can enjoy a full 360-degree view of Jinhai Lake, with autumn foliage adding a splash of red to the lakeside scenery.
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3km Short Loop: Family-Friendly Hiking
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Route
Sanquan Temple Parking Lot → entrance (100 meters west of the parking lot, next to the Zhaojiafen bus stop) → viewing platform (overlooking Jinhai Lake) → mountain-echo point → Huangcaowa → back to the parking lot
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A walker-friendly route: The route consists mainly of stone-paved paths and steps, with just a short steep slope at the entrance. Along the way, you can learn to identify leaves and listen to birdsong, turning the walk into an outdoor nature lesson.
Views from the first platform: Hike to the first viewing platform, and you can look out over most of Jinhai Lake, with Huguang Pavilion and Bibo Island faintly visible in the distance.
A lakeside bonus: Opposite the parking lot, a path leads down to the lakeside, where the kids can play in the sand and watch the tour boats. Allow another hour for some lakeside fun after the hike, and let the children burn off their excess energy!
Friendly reminder
There are no toilets or shops along the entire route, so use the restrooms at the parking lot before you set off, and bring plenty of water and light snacks. Some sections have tiled steps, which can be slippery, so take care underfoot!
10km Long Loop: A Wilder Hiking Experience
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Route
Sanquan Temple Parking Lot → entrance → multicolored forest → Jiangjunguan Great Wall Ruins (distant view) → Heishuiwan Gold-Panning Cultural Area (distant view) → Sanquan Temple → back to the parking lot
Into the wild: The second half of the trail is mostly dirt paths winding through colorful forests. In autumn, smoke trees and maples turn the hillsides red, creating scenery reminiscent of "Little Switzerland" on Beijing's outskirts.
Cultural experience: Along the way, hikers can see the Ming Dynasty Great Wall (Jiangjunguan section) from a distance and pass the Heishuiwan Gold-Panning Cultural Area, where they can learn about the traditional gold-panning practices recognized as intangible cultural heritage.
Panoramic views: At the highest point, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Jinhai Lake and the surrounding mountains. At dusk, the setting sun casts a red glow over the water. Snap a beautiful sunset-over-the-lake shot, which looks like a movie scene!
What to Bring
Wear quick-drying clothing and slip-resistant hiking shoes, and bring trekking poles. In autumn, pack a light jacket, along with water and high-calorie snacks. The dirt-path sections can be tough going, so make sure to replenish your energy along the way.
Nearby Attractions
Shangzhai Culture Exhibition Hall
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Shangzhai Culture Exhibition Hall is Beijing's first thematic museum devoted to Neolithic culture. Its exhibits include stone tools and pottery dating back 7,000 years, offering a window onto the lives of the early inhabitants along the Ju River.
Jinhai Lake Scenic Area
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Jinhai Lake is a national 4A-level scenic area, and Bibo Island is known as "Little Switzerland" on Beijing's outskirts, which is surrounded by mountains on all sides and the lake on three sides, with 300,000 square meters of rolling green lawns. The island also offers a rich range of experiences such as cruises, kayaking, a petting zoo, and a children's playground with non-motorized equipment.
Huangcaowa Village
Huangcaowa Village in Pinggu District is a nationally recognized key village for rural tourism, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. Here, you can enjoy fresh air, relax in distinctive homestays, savor grilled rainbow trout and chicken braised with chestnuts. At night, you can gaze at the stars while experiencing the slow pace of country life.
Practical Information
By car: Navigate to "Sanquan Temple Parking Lot" (三泉寺停车场). Parking is free;
By public transport: Take Bus Route 852 from Sanyuanqiao (三元桥) to Pinggu Bus Station (平谷汽车站), transfer to Bus Route Ping 45 or Bus Route Ping 28 to "Zhaojiafen Stop" (赵家坟站), then walk 180 meters to the entrance.
The trail is free and does not require a reservation. Mobile phone signal is weak in some sections of the longer loop, so download an offline map before setting off to help avoid getting lost.
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)