Live Your Best Lives
What's so fun about Beijing? Everyone probably mentions the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Old Summer Palace. But Beijing, a vast city (roughly the size of Slovenia), offers more than just the famous attractions of the six districts. There are also many other worthwhile destinations around the city!
The Simatai Great Wall under the setting sun, the mountains are winding, and the ancient city walls stretch on the ridges of the peaks. The Great Wall is one of the symbols of China. Many people have climbed it, but there are not many places that can be climbed at night. The Simatai Great Wall located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing is one of them.
As night fell, I climbed the Simatai Great Wall. The sky was turning a deep blue, and the Great Wall was illuminated by lanterns. The illuminated Gubei Water Town lay at the foot of the mountain. Construction on the Simatai Great Wall began during the Hongwu reign of the early Ming Dynasty. Later, the renowned general Qi Jiguang rebuilt and reinforced this area, making it a vital part of the Ming Great Wall.
Looking down from the Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town at night seems even more captivating, its lights aglow and the water rippling. Originally just an ordinary village at the foot of the Great Wall, a few years ago, developers invested a massive 4.5 billion yuan to transform it into a "northern Jiangnan ancient town," now a popular online destination.
Although the Great Wall is located on the mountain ridge, climbing Simatai Great Wall at night is actually not difficult. The cable car can transport tourists to a location not far from the Great Wall, and the wall can be reached in a few minutes' walk.
Looking at the Simatai Great Wall from the foot of the mountain, the wall at night looks like a long strip of light stretching over the mountain ridge.
The Gubei Water Town at the foot of the mountain is crisscrossed with waterways, and it is so quiet... If it weren't for the Great Wall on the top of the mountain that can be seen in the distance, you might even have the illusion that you are in a water town somewhere in the south of the Yangtze River, where there is singing and dancing.
The Tanghe River in the town is dotted with bridges, and the lights sparkle at night, making Gubei Water Town even more colorful at night. Although Gubei Water Town is a newly built town, the architecture is completely in traditional Chinese style, giving the town an antique feel.
The drone Kongming lantern show is a performance that is worth seeing in Gubei Water Town. Under the deep blue night sky, drones carrying Kongming lanterns take off one after another, forming patterns in the sky... It is really quite romantic.
The glittering lights of Gubei Water Town are reflected on the water, a riot of colour - this is the Jiangnan of the north, a water town on a summer night.
The Great Wall is a symbol of the ancient capital of Beijing and indeed of all of China. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World and a must-see for many visitors to Beijing. Of the several sections of the Great Wall in and around Beijing, Badaling, opened to tourists in 1958, is the most famous. However, the most popular section for international tourists is Mutianyu in Huairou, not Badaling.
Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Huairou, north of Beijing, approximately 73 kilometers from the city center. Visitors can reach the scenic area in just over an hour by taking the Zanbus direct bus from the Qianmen Tourist Distribution Center and Heping West Bridge Metro Station. Mutianyu Great Wall's predecessor, the Northern Qi Great Wall, dates back over 1,000 years and dates back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Later, in the early Ming Dynasty, Xu Da, a general under Zhu Yuanzhang, built upon the foundations of the Northern Qi Great Wall. As part of the Ming Great Wall, it became a crucial component of the Ming dynasty's northern defenses.
The foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall has now become a well-equipped Great Wall town. A cable car ride takes you quickly to the top. Compared to the often bustling Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu is much more relaxed. Foreigners are especially numerous here, and you can see faces of various nationalities everywhere. A rough estimate shows that the ratio of domestic tourists to international visitors is roughly 1:1. It seems the "most popular Great Wall for foreign tourists" truly lives up to its reputation.
The reason for this is likely that Badaling has been open the longest and is crowded with tourists, while Mutianyu is much quieter, with well-equipped facilities and a gentler slope, making the climb less tiring. At the same time, the majestic grandeur of the Great Wall remains undimmed. Furthermore, this section has become an internet sensation. The scene in Feng Xiaogang's film "If You Are the One 2" where Ge You proposes to Xiaoxiao, played by Shu Qi, was filmed at Mutianyu.
For all these reasons, it is no wonder that foreign tourists prefer to visit Mutianyu Great Wall. Former British Prime Minister Major, former US President Clinton, Obama and other foreign dignitaries have also visited Mutianyu. It is said that foreign tourists account for 40% of the tourists received here throughout the year!
The magnificent Great Wall is a vital military defense project of ancient China. For thousands of years, from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Qin and Han Dynasties, and even into the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall has spun like a giant dragon. Its presence can be seen everywhere, from the shores of the Bohai Sea to the peaks of the Yanshan Mountains, through towering mountains and even the Gobi Desert. The Great Wall has witnessed the passage of time and the transformation of the world, and its grandeur and majesty remain awe-inspiring. The vast stretch of the Great Wall, much of it built on the precipitous mountains of northern China, nestled alongside rivers and even extending into the water. Have you ever seen a "Water Great Wall"? Just north of Beijing, at Jiudu in Huairou, lies one such amazing section!
The Water Great Wall, officially known as the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall, is a section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall constructed during the Yongle reign. This stretch boasts a history of over 600 years, almost as old as the renowned Forbidden City. At the time of its construction, this section served as a crucial barrier protecting the northern flank of the capital and a fortified gateway to the Ming Dynasty's "Thirteen Tombs." Like other renowned sections of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, Mutianyu, and Badaling, the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall is constructed from massive stone slabs, towering over the peaks of the Yanshan Mountains and winding its way through the mountains. This is considered the unique feature of the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall.
The Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall appears to be similar to other Great Walls, but how did this section become associated with water? Initially, this section wasn't submerged in water. Later, a reservoir—the Xishuiyu Reservoir—was built there, which today forms Haoming Lake below the "Water Great Wall." During the construction of the reservoir, the dam blocked the flow, raising the water level and submerging the lower-lying sections of the wall, creating the "Water Great Wall." This "Great Wall playing in the water" spectacle is unique in China and is known as the "Second Wonder" of the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall.
After the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the "Son of Heaven guarded the national gate." For hundreds of years after its completion, the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall served as a crucial line of defense protecting the northern gate of the capital. The Ming soldiers stationed here, self-sufficient, planted numerous chestnut trees around the Great Wall. Six hundred years later, these ancient trees remain lush and leafy, their intertwined roots forming a diverse array of shapes. Walking among them, one cannot help but marvel at the passage of time and the transformation of things and people. The hundreds of acres of Ming Dynasty chestnut orchards, home to over 40 surviving ancient trees, are considered one of the "three wonders" of the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall.
The spectacular sight of the Great Wall plunging into the water is quite captivating. A magnetic cable car ride takes you to the beacon tower at the top of the mountain, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Surrounded by lush green hills, the water is of exceptional quality. From the summit, the Great Wall overlooks the small island in Haoming Lake, a breathtaking spectacle of lake and mountain scenery.
Interestingly, near the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall, some of the ancient forts once inhabited by soldiers guarding the Great Wall still remain. We visited one called Yaoziyu. Although small, it boasts towering trees and retains its old city walls. Within lies a quiet village—perhaps the villagers who have lived here for generations are descendants of those soldiers who once guarded the border.
Autumn is arguably the most comfortable time of the year in Beijing—bright sunshine, gentle breezes, and a perfect balance between cold and heat. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, I took my family on a road trip to Yanqing's Wild Duck Lake, a popular online photo spot in Beijing! The wetland lake, winding plank roads, and flocks of wild ducks swimming in the water are all incredibly refreshing! The view from Wanghu Tower, nestled in the wetlands, is especially captivating. From the high observation deck, the vast expanses of reeds are breathtakingly beautiful!
Wild Duck Lake is located in northwest Yanqing, Beijing, right next to the Guanting Reservoir and not far from the Expo. Driving from downtown Beijing to Wild Duck Lake takes about two hours, accessible via the Beijing-Tibet Expressway or the Beijing-Li Expressway. We left a little after 10 AM and arrived around 1 PM.
The Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park is quite large, and there are two main recommended routes:
Tips:
1. After entering the main gate, turn right and rent a bicycle or electric scooter to reach the bird-watching pavilion deep in the wetland, then circle back. This route offers beautiful scenery, with reeds and wildflowers along the roadside, perfect for photos. If you're more physically fit, you can also walk; the autumn weather is perfect for a stroll.
2. Once you enter, turn right and continue along the wooden plank path. At the end, turn right again and you'll reach the Wanghu Tower in the wetland. From the high observation deck, take a bird's-eye view of the vast expanses of reeds—it's so beautiful! Every shot is a masterpiece! This is a must-visit!
With turquoise skies and vibrant red leaves, autumn in Beijing is one of the most captivating seasons of the year. Northeast of Beijing, in Pinggu, lies a breathtaking spot for enjoying the autumn scenery. Clear waters and crimson foliage create a scene reminiscent of Switzerland – this is Jinhai Lake. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the warm sunshine casts a deep blue expanse, while the surrounding hills, covered in vibrant red, evoke a rich autumn atmosphere.
The mountains around Jinhai Lake are now a perfect time to see the crimson and golden leaves. After a lake cruise, hiking in the mountains is also a great way to enjoy the autumn scenery! The waters of Jinhai Lake are crystal clear, and you can choose to cruise on the lake by boat, speedboat, or sailboat, and even climb the lakeside peninsula to see the crimson leaves up close. There's also a large lawn below the Jinhai Lake Dam, perfect for camping!
When you arrive at Jinhai Lake, you can take a cruise or sailboat to the other side of the lake. One side is Daxishui, which is mainly a small animal farm with some alpacas, donkeys, sheep, cows and other animals. It is a good place to bring children to play.
Another spot is the Sawtooth Cliff. Climbing the stone path to the top of the hill offers an unparalleled view! Crimson leaves adorn the hilltop, while at the foot of the hill lies the azure lake, with white sailboats slowly sailing by... It feels like a little Switzerland! Every shot is a masterpiece! The stone path leading up to the Sawtooth Cliff of Jinhai Lake. At dusk, the warm sunlight paints the forest a golden color.
From the hilltop of Jinhai Lake's jagged cliffs, you can see fiery red leaves in the foreground and the clear waters of the lake in the distance. There are many nice hotels and golf courses along the lake, and many people come here to play golf on weekends. The scenery is also quite beautiful.
I’d like to share with you some of these niche tourist spots around Beijing. It’s a great idea to visit them on weekends.
