After living in Beijing for a while we tend to visit the same places weekend after weekend. Sanlitun? Guolou? 798? After a few years, things tend to seem a bit dull. But venture just about an hour outside of the city and you’ll feel like you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re actually still in Beijing.
Hiking in the Ecological Corridor
Starting from the Ming Tombs Reservoir in the north and ending at the Shahe Reservoir in the south, Xincheng riverside forest park linked the whole water system of Changping, including forests, grasslands, lakes, and over ten kilometers of hiking trails. Over the years, it has gradually become an ecological corridor in the north of Beijing, and the north part (located in Changping) and south part (located in Shahe) will also be completely connected soon, forming the largest forest park in Changping district.
Admission is free. The Xincheng riverside forest park creates a perfect environment for sports for the family. The 3km/5km hiking trail with plastic runways is the most popular choice for exercise, surrounded by a lake view and fields of flowers. For kids, a lot of courts for ball games are provided, along with a professional skatepark. Camping and barbecue are not allowed in most woods, but flying kites or picnics on the lawn might be a good choice especially in spring.
Since the development of Changping’s cultural and creative industry, the natural scenes are combined with cultural attractions, which means you can also find other scenery spots close to the park such as forest festivals in Mangshan hill, and Ming dynasty culture tourism including Ming Tombs and Gonghuacheng palace.
Changping Xincheng Riverside Forest Park 昌平新城滨河森林公园
Address: North part (Changping town): Nanhuan Street, Changping district
北区（昌平镇）：昌平区南环路
Transportation: Take subway Chpangping Line to Nanshao or Changpingdongguan station
South part (Shahe town): Nanmen road, Shahe town, Changping district
Transportation: take subway Chpangping Line to Gonghuacheng station
交通方式：地铁昌平线至巩华城站
Opening hours: All day
Price: Free
Amenities: accessibility facilities, parking lots, exercise equipment, toilets, rest area, skatepark, basketball courts, tennis courts, table tennis courts
Spend a Weekend at a Quiet Lake Resort
For a long time, Changping has been famous for hot springs. In addition to the Xiaotangshan resort, another resort as a collection of natural scenery, hot springs, and recreation gradually come into the view of the public these years, known as the Quiet Lake Resort. The resort is located in Xingshou town of Changping, surrounded by Dayangshan mountain and Taoyukou reservoir.
The quiet, beautiful resort worth taking several days wandering in it, either hiking in the mountain or visiting the flower field. An amusement park and a mini zoo are for kids, and the ski resort opens from December to February each year. The resort provides two kinds of hot springs, the open one is open to the public by admission ticket, while the private hot spring can be enjoyed in the wooden village.
The resort offers accommodations from halfway up the mountain to the lake below. Halfway mountain pavilion has the best mountain view, while the mid-lake hotel is by the lake. Lots of wooden villas are located throughout the resort. Besides, there are eight children’s suites designed in different themes.
Quiet Lake Resort 静之湖度假区
Address: Taoyukou village, Xingshou town, Changping District 昌平区兴寿镇桃峪口村
Transportation:
Subway and bus: Take subway Chpangping Line to Beishaowa station then transfer to bus No.80 to Taoyukou station
Railway: Beijing Suburban Railway to Changping North station, then take bus No.80 to Taoyukou station
Self-driving is highly recommended.
Opening hours: Daily, 8-5pm
Price: RMB 20 for entry, the price of entertainment and accommodation depends on the season
Amenities: parking lots, restaurants, accommodation, amusement park, zoo, ski resort, hot springs(open and private), wedding venue, fruit picking
KEEP READING: Throwback Thursday: What’s Fun In – Hot ‘n’ Cold: Book a private hot spring getaway in Changping
Images: Dianping, Pexels, Pixabay, Amaps, Jingzhihui.com
