Northern "Little Guilin," a day of relaxing at the real-life ink painting Yishui Lake

Just a two-hour drive from Beijing, when the navigation said "arrived," I really thought I had traveled to Guilin! 🗺️

The tragic scene of "the wind is bleak and the Yishui is cold" from the textbooks turns into gentleness here—Yishui Lake’s water is a clear green, embraced by mountains. When you take a boat across, the cliffs and greenery on both sides reflect in the water, making you feel like you’re drifting on the Li River~ ⛰️

The ticket package including the boat ride is super cost-effective! For 140 yuan, you can take a boat around the lake and also visit the Laozi Peak plank road 🌿. The plank road is very friendly, mostly gentle slopes and steps, perfect for elderly and children. There are viewing platforms every few steps, and every snapshot looks like a masterpiece of mountains and water, no need to find angles! 📸

When hungry at noon, just head to the nearby Taihang Water Town, only a ten-minute drive from the dock~ The town is full of Hebei-style houses with blue bricks and gray tiles. I recommend trying donkey meat sandwiches and pan-fried flatbread stewed with mixed fish, freshly made and piping hot. Sitting in a riverside small restaurant, the air is filled with the scent of home cooking 😋

Honestly, summer here is so comfortable! The sky is a clear blue, clouds drift slowly, and on the plank road, the breeze, water sounds, and bird calls feel much better than air conditioning in the city~ 💨

Tips:
✅ Wear comfortable shoes! The plank road is easy but takes about two hours to explore
✅ Choose the second deck on the boat for the best view
✅ The water town is less crowded in the evening; after eating, you can browse the intangible cultural heritage craft shops
✅ For self-driving, park at Jingu Dock parking lot, 20 yuan per day

I’m really amazed by this hidden gem near Beijing! No need to squeeze into a high-speed train to Guilin, just a two-hour drive to dive into the mountains and waters. Next time, I’ll bring my parents here; just sitting by the lake daydreaming is worth the gas money~ ✨

Post by Grace.Roberts.28 | Jul 14, 2025