Yanqing

Yanqing combines its role as Beijing’s “summer capital” with its Winter Olympic heritage: summers are cooler than central Beijing, autumn brings colorful foliage, and winter offers a range of snow and ice activities. With stretches of the Great Wall, gorges, wetlands and Winter Olympic venues, it is well suited to a weekend or short holiday.

• Badaling Great Wall: This is one of the most representative sections of the Great Wall open to visitors. You can walk the northern route or take a cable car to North Tower 7 before climbing to North Tower 8. Weekends are busy, so arrive early. For fewer crowds, consider the Badaling Ancient Great Wall.

• Longqing Gorge: Known as the “Little Li River beyond the Great Wall,” this gorge offers boat trips between steep cliffs. Summer is a good time to cool off by the water, while winter brings the Ice Lantern Art Festival.

• Wild Duck Lake National Wetland Park: Beijing’s largest wetland nature reserve is a good place to see reeds and southbound migratory birds in autumn. Walk along the lakeside boardwalk or rent a bicycle to explore. The wetland scenery is well suited to photography.

• Baili Landscape Gallery: This scenic driving route north of Beijing stretches for about 50 kilometers through mountain and river landscapes. Stops along the way include the Petrified Wood Geopark, Wulong Gorge and Dishuihu, all featuring geological sights. In autumn, colorful foliage along the Bai River is another major attraction.

• Yudu Mountain: With lush woodland, fresh air and Beijing’s largest natural alpine meadow, this is a place for camping or a picnic. Wangyou Lake and the waterfalls are also worth visiting. The approach involves a long, winding mountain road, so visitors prone to motion sickness should prepare in advance.

• Beijing Expo Park: Developed from the site of the 2019 International Horticultural Exhibition, the park features large buildings such as the China Pavilion, International Pavilion and Yongning Pavilion. Visit for flowers in spring, or head to higher ground in autumn and winter for panoramic views of the Guichuan area. It is also suitable for family outings and photography.

• Yongning Ancient Town: The Jade Emperor Pavilion is the landmark of this Ming-dynasty town. Browse Yongning Market, try Yongning huoshao flatbreads and Yongning tofu, and get a feel for everyday local life in the market and streets.

• Yanqing Olympic Park: The main attractions are Winter Olympic venue tours and mountain activities. Visitors can take China’s longest sightseeing cable car to a summit at 2,198 meters, visit the “Sky Mirror,” and ride a 3-kilometer alpine coaster.

Local Flavors of Yanqing

Beyond farmhouse cooking, Yanqing offers a variety of distinctive local breads, snacks and banquet meals.

• Yongning Huoshao: This traditional local flatbread has a history of more than 500 years. Partially leavened dough is filled with pepper salt, then griddled and baked to create a crisp crust. It can be stuffed with pork knuckle, pork head meat or tofu skin.

• Liugou Tofu Banquet: Centered on a traditional charcoal-heated tofu hotpot, this meal includes soybeans, green soybeans, smoked tofu and other bean products, with both meat and vegetable dishes. The flavors are rich without being overly greasy. Expect to pay about RMB 50–60 per person.

• Spring Water Duck: One of Yanqing’s eight signature culinary specialties, this dish uses egg-laying ducks from Zhenzhuquan Township that feed on fish and shrimp from the river. The cooked meat is tender. Local food traditions describe it as helping to clear internal heat and remove toxins, but these claims should not be treated as medical benefits.

• Taihou Meat Pie: A representative Yanqing specialty, this meat pie has a crisp base and a savory meat filling. To reduce your wait, try to arrive before 11 a.m.

• Li Ji Fried Cakes: This popular local snack dates back to the 1950s. The cakes are crisp on the outside and soft inside, with a sweet flavor.

Where to Stay in Yanqing

Yanqing has both upscale resort hotels and mountain guesthouses. Choose accommodation that fits conveniently with your sightseeing route.

• Crowne Plaza Beijing Badaling: Close to the Badaling Great Wall and Longqing Gorge, this hotel offers spacious rooms, a large thermal bathing area and family facilities, making it suitable for a family getaway.

• Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Yanqing: Formerly a Marriott hotel, this property offers good value. Mountain-view rooms overlook the surrounding ranges, the pool water is well maintained, and breakfast offers a broad selection.

• Yanqing Winter Olympic Village Resort Hotel: Located within the Olympic Park, this hotel makes it easy to include the 10-kilometer sightseeing cable car and alpine coaster in your stay. It suits travelers interested in sports activities and Winter Olympic venue tours.

• Qumo Shanli Chuanzhu Guesthouse: Set in a valley in Zhenzhuquan Township, this guesthouse has a cream-toned courtyard and a quiet atmosphere. Guests can watch outdoor projections in the courtyard and stargaze at night. It suits gatherings with friends or a peaceful break.
• ARVO1630 Guesthouse: This Moroccan-style property is especially photogenic when afternoon sunlight falls on the pool. Rooms have private soaking pools, and pets are welcome.

Classic Two-Day Itinerary

If time allows, spend two days and one night linking the main sights without rushing between stops.

• Day 1: The Great Wall and Expo Park
  • Morning: Visit the Badaling Great Wall. Walk the northern route or take the cable car for views of the wall.
  • Lunch: Have a farmhouse meal at the foot of the Great Wall, trying pancakes made with free-range eggs and fish from the reservoir.
  • Afternoon: Continue to Beijing Expo Park to visit the China Pavilion and Yongning Pavilion, then head to higher ground for panoramic views of the Guichuan area.
  • Evening: Check into your accommodation in central Yanqing and have a Liugou tofu banquet for dinner.
• Day 2: Natural Scenery or Winter Olympic Activities
  • Option A (Nature and Scenery): Take a morning boat trip through Longqing Gorge. In the afternoon, visit Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park to see reeds and migratory birds.
  • Option B (Winter Olympic Experience): Visit Yanqing Olympic Park, take the sightseeing cable car to the summit, see the “Sky Mirror,” then ride the alpine coaster downhill.
  • Afternoon: Begin your return journey after sightseeing.

Transport and Travel Tips

• Getting There:
  • High-speed train (recommended): Take a high-speed train from Beijing Qinghe Station or Beijing North Station to Yanqing Station. The journey takes about 30–50 minutes. On arrival, take a taxi or a local bus to the attractions.
  • Driving: Take the Beijing–Tibet Expressway (G6) or the Beijing–Chongli Expressway. The drive takes about 1.5–2 hours. The Beijing–Tibet Expressway is prone to congestion on weekends and public holidays, so leave early or travel outside peak times.
  • Bus: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen to central Yanqing, then transfer to a Y-prefixed bus, such as Y40 for Longqing Gorge or Y21 for Badaling.
• Travel Tips:
  • Temperature Changes and Warm Clothing: Yanqing is usually 2–5°C cooler than central Beijing, with noticeable temperature changes between day and night. The Olympic Park summit and Wild Duck Lake can be windy, so bring a thick coat or down jacket.
  • Mountain Driving: The roads along the Baili Landscape Gallery and the approach to Yudu Mountain are narrow and have many bends. Less experienced drivers should be especially cautious. Slow down, use your horn where needed, and do not stop or park in a traffic lane.
  • Advance Reservations: Book tickets in advance through official channels for popular sites such as the Badaling Great Wall and Winter Olympic venues to avoid being turned away on arrival.
  • Water and Food: Dining options are limited at Wild Duck Lake and along the Baili Landscape Gallery. Bring enough drinking water and snacks.