Yeshanpo, Baoding, Hebei｜Escape the City Bustle

🌟【Introduction】
Yeshanpo, located in Laishui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, is a popular natural scenic area and summer retreat near Beijing.

🚌【Transportation Guide】
Self-driving:
- From Beijing: Take G4 Jinggang'ao Expressway → Langzhuo Expressway → Zhangzhuo Expressway directly to Yeshanpo, about 100 km in total.
- From Tianjin: Take S6 Jincang Expressway → G18 Rongwu Expressway → Daguang Expressway → Langzhuo Expressway → Zhangzhuo Expressway.
Public transport:
- Train: Take train 6437 from Beijing West Station (departs at 17:45) to Baili Gorge Station (arrives at 20:44), hard seat ticket 7.5 yuan.
- Direct bus: There's a direct bus from Beijing Liuliqiao to Baili Gorge, about 3 hours one way, round-trip fare 88 yuan, operating only from May to October and during holidays.

🌲【Best Travel Season】
- May-October: Pleasant spring and autumn climate; average summer temperature in canyons is 23°C, making it an ideal summer retreat; autumn offers stunning red foliage.
- June: Daily temperatures 18-28°C, cool in canyons, great for summer escape, but beware of sun protection and temperature differences between day and night.

🎈【Top Attractions】
🌿Baili Gorge (Must-visit)
- Features: "The First Gorge Under Heaven" with 25 km of canyon landform, summer temperature only 17°C, perfect for hiking.
- Ticket: 100 yuan (2025 price), half price for students (requires physical student ID + CHSI verification screenshot).
- Activities: Hike Haitang Valley and Shixuan Gorge loop (about 4 hours), experience sights like "One-Line Sky" and "Refreshing Waterfall"; cable car recommended (one-way 50 yuan, round-trip 90 yuan) to save energy.
- Photo spot: Wild grapevine cave to the left of "Looking-back Guanyin" for dreamy shots of Tyndall effect beams and mist.
🌿Yugu Cave
- Features: Fantastic stalactites in the cave, constant 13°C in summer, with the "Yugu Spring" wonder at the entrance.
- Ticket: 65 yuan, half price for students.
- Hidden gem: Shoot "Spirited Away"-style morning mist photos on abandoned railway tracks at 5 am.
🌿Baicaopan
- Features: Alpine meadow at 1,983m elevation with stunning sea of clouds and rime scenery; Mayi Ridge Cableway traverses clouds (one-way 35 yuan).
- Ticket: 60 yuan, half price for students.
🌿Juma River Rafting
- Features: "No.1 Rafting in North China" with 3,000m course and 400m drop, passing wild rose walls, with canyon swing (120 yuan/person) at the end.
- Combo ticket: Baili Gorge + Yugu Cave + Rafting combo 298 yuan, saving 60 yuan compared to on-site purchase.
🌿Longmen Pass
- Features: Combines natural scenery with entertainment like high-altitude swings and suspension bridges; magnificent cliff inscriptions corridor.
- Ticket: 50 yuan, half price for students.

🏮【Accommodation】
Budget:
- Rongxin Inn: Under 100 yuan/person including breakfast, with children's playground, 7 km from Baili Gorge.
- Lanqiaoxuan Homestay: Quiet courtyard at mountain foot, family-friendly, near grilled rainbow trout stalls.
Luxury:
- Yeshanpo Arcadia International Resort Hotel: 5-star standard with hot springs and children's playground, offering intangible cultural heritage workshops and parent-child zongzi-making during 2025 Dragon Boat Festival.
- Keye·Luming Boutique Tent Camp: Glamping site with private bathrooms, AC, BBQ, and outdoor movies, adjacent to Yugu Cave.
Special homestays:
- Shanse Homestay: Huizhou-style courtyard with kitchen, mahjong, and stargazing equipment, 5-minute walk to Qingshan Mountain Scenic Area with 50% off tickets.

🍲【Dining】
- Roast whole lamb: Crispy skin and tender meat, recommend selecting live lamb for on-site slaughter and roasting.
- Rainbow trout: Juma River specialty, recommend stalls near Lanqiaoxuan Homestay, 15 yuan/fish, best with wild pepper powder.
- Wild mountain vegetables: Fried pepper buds, garlic-mixed river vegetables, pickled water celery, refreshing and appetizing.
- Brine tofu: Rich bean flavor, pairs well with farmer's stew or pan-fried small river fish.

🚶【Itinerary Suggestions】
Classic 2-day trip:
- Day1: Arrive at Baili Gorge in the morning, hike (4 hours), visit Yugu Cave in the afternoon, watch "Impressions of Yeshanpo" show in the evening (Zone B ticket 160 yuan).
- Day2: Hike Baicaopan for sea of clouds in the morning, Juma River rafting in the afternoon, enjoy roast lamb before departure.
In-depth 3-day trip:
- Day1: Full-day Baili Gorge exploration, stargazing camping at night.
- Day2: Yugu Cave + Longmen Pass, bonfire BBQ by Juma River in the evening.
- Day3: Baicaopan hike, visit Colorful Art Town for mountain products before departure.

🗺️【Nearby Attractions】
- Shidu Scenic Area: About 30 km from Yeshanpo, offering bamboo rafting and bungee jumping with picturesque views.
- Laishui Station HSR: Only 1 hour from Beijing West (45 yuan ticket), convenient transfer to Yeshanpo.

💡【Tips】
1. Ticket discounts:
- Free for children under 1.2m and seniors over 70; half price for seniors 60-70 and students (ID required).
- May 19 "China Tourism Day" offers half-price single tickets (excluding combo tickets).
2. Scenic transport:
- Baili Gorge battery car 10 yuan one-way, 18 yuan round-trip; Baicaopan Mayi Ridge Cableway 35 yuan one-way.
- Traffic control may be implemented during holidays, arrive early or use backup parking.
3. Gear suggestions:
- Wear anti-slip shoes (canyon paths can be slippery), breathable clothing, and bring a jacket (large day-night temperature difference).
- Bring change of clothes for rafting; long sleeves recommended for caves.
4. Safety notes:
- Follow instructor guidance during rafting, secure valuables.
- Weak signal in mountains, download offline maps in advance.