A Luxe Camping Journey in the "Little Guilin of the North"!
by Butler Katherine Kath
May 29, 2025
## 🌊【3 Days & 4 Nights】Yishui Lake Hidden Gem: A Poetic Escape Under the Taihang Mountains for Just $115 per Person!
Looking for an ink-wash paradise just 2 hours from Beijing? Yishui Lake in Baoding, dubbed the "Little Guilin of the North" nestled beneath the Taihang Mountains, boasts 27 square kilometers of azure waters, lake views more pristine than Baiyangdian, and Instagram-famous cliffside hotels... This 3-day, 4-night guide unlocks the most poetic lakeside getaway near Beijing on an $115 budget!
**🚣 Day 1: Gliding into a Painting**
Check into [Yang Sheng Island Hotel] ($43/night incl. breakfast) upon afternoon arrival, then cruise via painted boat to [Laozi Peak] ($12 for tickets + boat ride). At dusk, capture "Mirror of the Sky" shots on the [Lakeside Boardwalk], and don’t miss dinner’s star—[Braised Bighead Carp in Iron Pot] ($9/person). Fall asleep to lapping waves in your lakeview room.
**⛰️ Day 2: Immersed in Nature**
Morning visit to free-entry [Taihang Water Town] for folk workshops and donkey burger snacks ($1.50 each). Choose between [Highline Slacklining] ($7) or [Lakeside Fishing] ($5 gear rental). Lunch features [Wild River Greens Salad] and [Deep-Fried Zanthoxylum Buds] ($6/person). Hike the free [Little Guilin Trail] by day; by night, cozy up in a [Starry Sky Tent] ($30/tent) roasting sweet potatoes by the bonfire.
**🎣 Day 3: Rustic Lake Adventures**
Charter a boat to explore [Lake Island Cluster] ($15/boat) with picnic on a deserted isle. Have locals cook your fresh catch at noon ($3 processing fee). Afternoon options: [Traditional Weaving] ($6) or [Reed Art Crafting]. Stock up on [Wild Water Chestnuts] and [Peppercorn Sauce] ($7 for plenty!) before departure.
**💡 Pro Tips:**
1️⃣ Best Seasons: May-June (alpine blooms) or Sept-Oct (autumn foliage)
2️⃣ Transport: High-speed rail from Beijing West to Baoding East (40min), then 1hr taxi
3️⃣ Hidden Perk: Weekday hotel rates drop 30%
4️⃣ Must-Try Trio: Bighead carp, zanthoxylum buds, donkey burgers
When dawn mist drapes the ink-wash peaks like gauze and boats slice through glassy waters, Yishui Lake redefines northern landscape aesthetics with Jiangnan-esque grace. Tag your travel buddy below 👇—save this guide and set off this weekend!
Post by Butler Katherine Kath | May 29, 2025















