A Fairyland on Earth: Yudu Mountain | Featuring Mountains, Rocks, Forests, Springs, and Waterfalls

Beijing Yudu Mountain Natural Scenic Area is located 10 kilometers northwest of Yanqing urban area, situated upstream of Longqing Gorge and at the foot of Haituo Mountain. Covering an area of about 100 square kilometers with nearly 100% vegetation coverage, it boasts multiple landscapes including mountains, rocks, forests, springs, and waterfalls. Its serene and tranquil environment has earned it the titles of "Beijing's Backyard Garden" and "Natural Northern Botanical Garden." It is an excellent choice for summer retreats, camping, and hiking near Beijing.

Best Travel Time
- Summer (June to August): The core cooling period, with average temperatures in the scenic area 3-4°C lower than Yanqing urban area. The meadows are lush and green, and the streams are cool and clear. It’s ideal for cooling off in the forest or wading in the water by the creek, making it a perfect escape from the city heat.
- Autumn (September to October): The peak season for autumn foliage. Leaves on the mountains gradually turn red and yellow, with alpine meadows and Wangyou Lake complementing each other beautifully. Rainbows occasionally appear near Heyi Waterfall, creating picturesque autumn scenes. The best autumn colors appear in mid to late October.
- Spring (April to May): The blooming season for mountain flowers such as lilac and wild peach. Migratory birds return to the forest, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It’s perfect for spring outings, exploring quiet spots, and experiencing nature’s revival.

Core Attractions and Activities
Must-Visit Core Areas
- Alpine Meadow: The largest natural camping site in Beijing, with a flat green carpet where you can freely pitch tents, lay picnic mats, fly kites, play frisbee, or simply lie down and watch the clouds. A wooden boardwalk at the meadow’s edge leads to Wangyou Lake, with babbling streams along the way where you can wear slippers to wade and catch tadpoles. The small hill in the center of the meadow is a perfect photo spot, with blue skies and white clouds as the backdrop, creating scenes reminiscent of Studio Ghibli animations. The backlight at 5:00 PM is ideal for silhouette photography.
- Wangyou Lake: A healing lake hidden in the mountains, with a wooden boardwalk around it taking about an hour to walk. The heart-shaped island in the center is a popular spot for couples, while the reed beds on the north side are great for taking fresh, Japanese-style photos. Early morning mist over the lake creates a fairyland atmosphere. During the May Day holiday, cartoon-shaped pedal boats are available for family fun.
- Heyi Waterfall: A 15-minute walk from Parking Lot 1 through a pine forest leads to this 10-meter-high waterfall. The water crashing against the rocks creates mist, lowering the perceived temperature by over 5°C in summer. Using slow shutter speed photography captures the silky texture of the water. Wearing bright clothes and standing on the rocks with the waterfall as a backdrop creates a strong atmospheric effect.

Recommended Hiking Routes
- Family Easy Route: Parking Lot 2 → Alpine Meadow → Wangyou Lake → Return. About 2 kilometers, mostly flat, taking 1.5 hours. Scenic and easy, suitable for families with children.
- Advanced Exploration Route: Parking Lot 1 → Heyi Waterfall → Sanquan Xieyu (stream trekking) → Yudu Mountain Main Peak. About 5 kilometers, taking 3 hours. The 860-meter-high peak offers panoramic views of the scenic area. The route includes stream trekking, suitable for hikers with some experience.

Transportation and Route Planning
Transportation Options
- Self-driving (recommended): From the city, take the Jingzang Expressway (G6) or Jingli Expressway to the Yudu Mountain exit. The drive takes about 2 hours. Multiple parking lots are available in the scenic area, with mostly paved roads suitable for regular cars.
- Public Transportation: From Deshengmen, take the 919 express bus to Yanqing Dongguan Station or Nancaiyuan Station, then transfer to bus Y40 or Y45 to Yudu Mountain Road Entrance Station. From there, walk or take a taxi to the scenic area. The total trip takes about 3 hours. Be mindful of the last bus schedule.

Classic Itinerary Suggestions
1-Day Leisure Tour
Arrive in the morning and head straight to the Alpine Meadow to set up tents and have a picnic. In the afternoon, stroll along the boardwalk to Wangyou Lake and enjoy pedal boating. Before evening, hike to Heyi Waterfall for photos and admire the mountain sunset before returning.

In-Depth Experience Tour (for camping enthusiasts)
Arrive in the morning and set up camp in the meadow, then hike around Wangyou Lake. In the afternoon, explore Heyi Waterfall and wade in the stream. Capture backlit silhouette photos in the meadow at dusk, and enjoy stargazing at night (confirm camping regulations in advance). On the next morning, watch the morning mist over Wangyou Lake before heading back.

Accommodation and Dining
Accommodation Recommendations
- Local Homestays: Preferably choose rural homestays in Zhangshanying Town. Some offer authentic farmhouse experiences in a quiet environment, allowing immersive rural charm. Most are within a 30-minute drive to the scenic area.
- Yanqing Urban Area Hotels: For more comfortable accommodations, hotels in Yanqing urban area offer better value and convenience. It’s about a 20-30 minute drive to the scenic area, with easier access to dining and supplies.

Dining Guide
- Bring Your Own Food: The Alpine Meadow is ideal for picnics. It’s recommended to bring sandwiches, fruits, snacks, and portable tea sets to enjoy tea in nature. Please take all trash with you to keep the environment clean.
- Local Cuisine: Nearby villages and Yanqing urban area offer local specialties such as Yanqing hot spoon stew, free-range chicken stewed with mushrooms, and stir-fried wild vegetables with eggs. These farmhouse flavors are authentic and cost-effective.