Departure from Beijing hours I thought I had arrived in Guilin

Preparation

• Documents: Bring valid documents such as ID cards.

• Clothing: Choose appropriate clothing according to the season. Prepare sun-protective clothing and swimsuits in summer, long-sleeve jackets in spring and autumn, and keep warm in winter.

• Other items: Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, umbrellas or raincoats, mosquito repellent, power banks, etc.

Transportation Guide

• Self-driving: From Beijing via Jingkun/Jinggang'ao - Lailai Expressway, about 1.5-2 hours; from Tianjin via Rongwu-Jingkun-Lailai Expressway, about 2.5 hours; from Xiong'an via Rongwu-Jingkun-Lailai Expressway, about 1.5 hours; from Baoding via Jingkun-Lailai Expressway or via Rongyi Line-Longxi Road, about 1.5 hours.

• Public transportation: Take a train or long-distance bus to Baoding, then transfer to a shuttle bus from Baoding to Yixian. After arriving in Yixian, take local buses or taxis to the scenic area.

Sightseeing

• Boat tour: Take a boat at Jingu Pier or Dam Pier to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and feel the breeze.

• Laozi Peak hiking: The whole route is about 3 kilometers with 12 viewing platforms. You can overlook the lake from the Taiji Diagram viewing platform.

• Photo spots: The Laozi Peak skywalk is suitable for drone photography; the Tianmen Cloud Ladder can be shot with a wide-angle lens to capture the cloud stairs; the Dongtian plank road offers lake silhouette shots; Zhixu Terrace is perfect for shooting the "Orange Sea" at sunset.

Food Recommendations

• Specialty dishes: Firewood stove fish head with pancakes, crispy fried white shrimp, farmhouse pepper pancakes, Jinghua honey roasted sweet potatoes, iron pot stewed fathead fish, fried river shrimp, pepper sprout jiaocha.

• Restaurant recommendations: Jinpo Fish Restaurant, Yishui Lake Anjia Courtyard, etc.

Accommodation

• Hotels: You can choose star-rated hotels around Yishui Lake, such as Yishui Lake Holiday Hotel, which offers complete facilities and quality service.

• Homestays: Recommended are Yuehu Xingchen and Tingsong Courtyard, where you can experience the rural atmosphere and enjoy peaceful nights.

• Camping: The lakeside starry tent camp is suitable for summer camping, where you can gaze at the stars and listen to the sounds of insects and frogs.

Nearby Attractions

• Taihang Water Town: About 8-15 kilometers from Yishui Lake, where you can experience intangible cultural heritage projects such as tie-dyeing and pottery.

• Qingxi Mausoleum: About 25-30 kilometers from Yishui Lake, where you can feel the grandeur of the Qing Dynasty royal tombs.