Huairou

The mountains of Huairou are cool and breezy in late autumn, so bring a windproof jacket.

Huairou in Beijing combines mountain and lake scenery with historic architecture. Early November is a good time to see autumn foliage and walk the Great Wall. Below is a guide to local sights, dining, accommodation and itineraries.

• Mutianyu Great Wall: Less crowded than Badaling, this section has dense vegetation and colorful autumn foliage. You can take a cable car up and a toboggan slide down. Watchtowers 14 to 20 form the main sightseeing section.

• Yanqi Lake: A former host venue for APEC meetings, this lake has clear water. The free lakeside greenway is suitable for walking or cycling. Follow the West Hill Trail to the Lingyan Huiming Viewing Platform for views over the lake. The distinctive, shell-like Sunrise Kempinski Hotel also makes a good photography subject.

• Hongluo Temple: Traditionally paired with Putuo in southern China, this temple is a place where people pray for blessings and a happy relationship. Highlights include the Imperial Bamboo Grove and thousand-year-old ginkgo trees, whose leaves turn golden in autumn. To reduce the uphill walking, you can take the slide car both ways.

• Shentangyu Trail: This free waterfront boardwalk runs for about 7.5 kilometers along the Yanqi River. In autumn, the trees on both banks gradually turn yellow beside clear streams. The walk is relatively gentle and manageable for older visitors and children.

• Banli Village: Free to visit, the village has the 8.1-kilometer Chestnut Blossom Valley and century-old chestnut trees. There are cafés and hands-on craft activities in the village, while the woodland and village setting offer opportunities for natural-style photos.

• Qinglong Gorge: A reservoir, waterfalls and the Great Wall make up the scenery here, with open views from the dam. Activities include bungee jumping and rappelling, making this a choice for visitors interested in high-adrenaline outdoor activities.

Local Dining in Huairou

Huairou's food is known for farmhouse cooking and local mountain ingredients. The following restaurants are options to consider.

• Zhaoyu Restaurant: On Fanqi Road, this restaurant has a rustic mountain setting, with greenery and a small stream in its spacious courtyard. It is suitable for both dining and taking photos. Dishes to consider include charcoal-grilled rainbow trout and braised pork with chestnuts.

• Qunsheng Dayuan: Featured on dining lists for several consecutive years, this restaurant specializes in farmhouse flavors. Its signature Old Beijing-style braised donkey meat is tender and richly seasoned, and can be paired with freshly baked, crisp huoshao flatbread.

• Ershibadao Restaurant: Near Hongluo Temple, this restaurant is well regarded for its grilled rainbow trout. Tables turn over fairly quickly, with peak-time waits usually around 15 minutes.

• Huaijiu Niuwu: Popular dishes include the grilled meat platter and red-label beef ribs. The beef is tender without feeling too greasy. A few stray cats also spend time in the restaurant, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

• Yangmen Jiangshui Tofu: This shop uses a fermented-liquid tofu-making method passed down from the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty, without chemical agents, producing a pronounced soybean flavor. For food gifts, consider dried tofu, tofu skin or fried tofu.

Where to Stay in Huairou

Most accommodation is concentrated in central Huairou, around Yanqi Lake and at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall. Facilities and services vary by area.

• Beijing Huairou Marriott Hotel: With an opening date in late June 2026, this hotel is in the heart of the Science City area. Family rooms and a temperature-controlled swimming pool make it an option for families who prioritize accommodation quality.

• Yanqi Hotel: On an island in Yanqi Lake, this hotel offers state-guest-level hospitality. Staff can help install bed rails and similar equipment, making it worth considering for families with young children.

• Aloft Huairou: Accommodation options include treehouse rooms, and there is a children's club for family stays. Rooms with views overlook Yanqi Lake, breakfast offers a wide selection, and the hotel provides good overall value.

• Super 8 Select Hotel (Huairou Kaifang Road): Close to the railway station and main bus terminal, this hotel has convenient transport connections. Room rates are in the hundreds of yuan, and family rooms include free breakfast for children under 17, making it suitable for budget-conscious guests.
• Banli Village Courtyard Guesthouses: For a closer experience of village life, stay in a courtyard guesthouse in Banli Village and wake to the scent of chestnut blossoms and birdsong.

Classic Itineraries

Choose between these one-day and two-day itineraries according to the time you have available.

• One-Day Trip (Leisurely Route):
  • Morning: Explore the Yanqi Lake West Hill Trail. Enter through Entrance 2, follow the woodland boardwalk and enjoy views of the lake and surrounding mountains from the Lingyan Huiming Viewing Platform.
  • Lunch: Eat at a nearby farmhouse restaurant. Options include charcoal-grilled rainbow trout and braised pork with chestnuts.
  • Afternoon: Walk beside the stream on the Shentangyu Trail, or visit Banli Village for coffee and woodland photos instead.
  • Evening: Finish sightseeing and head back.
• Two-Day Trip (More In-Depth Route):
  • Day 1: Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall in the morning, taking the cable car up and the toboggan slide down. Head to Yanqi Lake in the afternoon to cycle along the lakeside greenway. In the evening, enjoy the night views by the lake or stay at a lake-view hotel.
  • Day 2: Visit Hongluo Temple in the morning to pray for blessings and see the thousand-year-old ginkgo trees and Imperial Bamboo Grove. Have farmhouse food for lunch, then visit Shentangyu or Qinglong Gorge in the afternoon before heading back.

Transport and Travel Tips

• Driving: The drive from central Beijing takes about 1.5 hours via the Jingcheng Expressway, exiting at Kuangou or Huairou. Driving makes it easier to link several sights and enjoy the scenery along the way.
• Public Transport: Take Express Bus 916 from Dongzhimen Transport Hub to central Huairou, then transfer to a local bus such as H24 or H36 for the scenic areas. Alternatively, take the Huaimi Line from Beijing North or Qinghe station and get off at Yanqi Lake station.
• Before You Go:
  • Queues for the Mutianyu Great Wall toboggan slide can be long in peak season. If you plan to ride it, aim to arrive before 8 a.m.
  • Incense at Hongluo Temple has clearly marked prices, so there is no need to buy expensive incense at the foot of the mountain beforehand.
  • The Yanqi Lake dam can be very windy. For a November visit, dress warmly, protect yourself from the wind and bring an extra jacket.
  • Rainbow trout can be prepared fresh to order. Grilled trout suits most people's tastes better than sashimi.
  • November through March is the forest fire prevention season, and some trails may close temporarily. Check opening status before setting out.