Huairou

Temperatures vary considerably between morning and evening in the mountains, so bringing a light jacket is recommended.

Located in northern Beijing, Huairou brings together the Great Wall, lakes, ancient temples, and primeval forests, making it ideal for a relaxing weekend or short holiday trip.

• Mutianyu Great Wall: Less crowded than Badaling, with beautiful scenery and abundant vegetation. In autumn, you can enjoy the colorful foliage. Take the cable car up and the toboggan down; the stretch from watchtowers 14 to 20 is the main area to explore.

• Yanqi Lake Xishan Trail: The lakeside trail is free to access and about 8 km long, with mostly gentle slopes. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the viewing platform, where you can look down from above on Yanqi Lake and the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel in a 270° panorama. The trail is also suitable for watching the sunset in the evening.

• Hongluo Temple: Known by the saying, “Putuo in the south, Hongluo in the north,” it attracts many visitors praying for love and children. The temple grounds include a 600-year-old imperial bamboo grove and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree. You can also take an easy hike along Guanyin Road, then save energy on the way down by riding the mountain coaster.

• Shentangyu Wooden Walkway: This free 7.5 km wooden walkway follows a stream through the mountains, passing caves and footbridges along the way. The water is clear, making it suitable for wading and catching small fish, and convenient for families with children or pets. In summer, temperatures are 5°C lower than in the urban area.

• Labagoumen Primeval Forest Park: Located at Beijing’s northernmost point, the park preserves primeval secondary forest. In autumn, the birch forest turns golden yellow, earning it the nickname “Beijing’s Little Khingan Mountains” for its distinctive scenery. The park is far from the urban area, so it is best to set aside a full day.

• Chestnut Village: Located in Bohai Town, Huairou, this is a rustic village with thousand-year-old chestnut trees and Chestnut Flower Valley. You can visit a wooden cabin café and gather wild chestnuts. The mountain setting is ideal for taking nature-inspired photos.

Food Recommendations

Huairou’s signature foods include rainbow trout and chestnuts, while the local farmhouse dishes are also distinctive.

Accommodation Recommendations

Huairou offers many types of accommodation, from reasonably priced hotels to mountain guesthouses with private hot-spring pools.

• Beijing Baolu Hotel: Near Yanqi Lake, the hotel features Japanese wabi-sabi design and is surrounded by mountain views. Its good privacy makes it suitable for a quiet getaway.

• Yancheng Hotel: Close to Yanqi Lake, the hotel offers free parking for guests. Guests can use the small Chinese-style garden and koi pond, and the hotel also provides free breakfast, making it good value overall.
• Qihu Hotel: Located beside Yanqi Lake, the hotel allows guests to visit Yanqi Island during their stay. Coffee in the lobby pairs well with the lake view, making it a good place for afternoon tea and a slower pace.

• Mutianyu Sanzhou Guesthouse: Set among the mountain forests of Beigou Village, the guesthouse combines red brick and tiled buildings with a minimalist art-gallery style. Its understated wabi-sabi aesthetic is well suited to photography and quiet relaxation.

Itinerary

Choose a one-day or two-day plan according to the length of your stay.

• One-day trip (easy and relaxed): Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall in the morning, taking the cable car up and the toboggan down; enjoy rainbow trout for lunch; visit Hongluo Temple and pray for blessings in the afternoon, then take the coaster down; head to the Yanqi Lake Xishan Trail at dusk to watch the sunset, and return in the evening.
• Two-day trip (a deeper dose of fresh air):
  • Day 1: Sleep in and arrive at the hotel around noon to check in. In the afternoon, stroll along the Yanqi Lake Xishan Trail and enjoy the lake views, then have farmhouse dishes nearby in the evening.
  • Day 2: Visit Hongluo Temple to pray for blessings in the morning, or go to the Shentangyu Wooden Walkway instead to wade and follow the stream; visit Chestnut Village in the afternoon to gather chestnuts and have coffee, then return at dusk.

Getting There

• Driving: From downtown, take the Jingcheng Expressway to Huairou. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. During holidays, leaving before 8 a.m. is recommended to reduce traffic delays.
• Public transportation: Take the 916 Express from Dongzhimen Transport Hub to Huairou town, then transfer to buses such as H24 or H36 for Mutianyu or Hongluo Temple.
• Suburban railway: Take the Huaimi Line from Beijing North Railway Station or Qinghe Station and get off at Yanqi Lake Station. The full journey takes about 1 hour and is suitable for visiting the area around Yanqi Lake.

Travel Tips

• Sun and mosquito protection: Mountain UV exposure is strong and mosquitoes are common, so bring enough sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Wear non-slip shoes: Parts of the Shentangyu walkway and Great Wall can be slippery after rain, so wear non-slip sneakers or hiking shoes.
• Bring enough drinking water: There are few shops in the mountains, especially along the Xishan Trail and wooden walkway, so prepare plenty of water in advance.
• Check opening status in advance: Some attractions, such as Yanqi Lake’s central island, may temporarily close for maintenance. Check the latest opening status on official platforms before setting out.
• Leave as early as possible: When visiting Chestnut Village or the Mutianyu Great Wall during holidays, leave early and plan for parking to avoid congestion on the mountain roads.