Yanqing

In October, temperatures in Yanqing vary considerably between morning and evening, so bring a warm jacket when heading into the mountains.

Yanqing lies in northwestern Beijing. Autumn is ideal for driving through its mountains, waterways, sections of the Great Wall and rural landscapes, with time to enjoy local farmhouse dishes. The itinerary below covers the main attractions, food, accommodation and transport information.

• Badaling Great Wall: A classic section of the Great Wall. Arrive early to avoid the crowds. You can take the cable car or slideway up and down. North Tower 8 is at a higher elevation and offers good views of the surrounding mountains.

• Longqing Gorge: A beautiful gorge known as the “Little Li River Beyond the Great Wall.” Take a boat through the gorge to admire its steep cliffs. It is pleasantly cool in summer and hosts an ice-lantern festival in winter.

• Baili Landscape Gallery: One of the best self-drive scenic routes in northern Beijing, extending for 112 li. Geological attractions along the route include the Petrified Wood National Geopark, Wulong Gorge and Dishuihu. In autumn, the hills are ablaze with color.

• Yeya Lake National Wetland Park: One of Beijing’s larger wetlands, where migratory birds can be seen in autumn and winter. Reed-filled waters are linked by wooden boardwalks, making the park suitable for walking or cycling.

• Yongning Ancient City: The layout of this Ming dynasty walled town is relatively well preserved, with restrained commercial development. Yuhuang Pavilion is its landmark building. You can also browse the market and try local foods such as Yongning huoshao and Yongning tofu.

• Beijing Expo Park: The site of the 2019 Horticultural Exhibition, with buildings including the China Pavilion, International Pavilion and Yongning Pavilion. The park is spacious and well suited to family walks and cycling.

Classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary

• Day 1: Badaling Great Wall and Beijing Expo Park
  • Morning: Head to Badaling Great Wall and aim to arrive before 7:30 a.m., when temperatures are lower and the crowds are lighter. Take the north route: ride the cable car to North Tower 7, then continue to North Tower 8 for views of the Great Wall and the valleys.
  • Noon: Eat at the foot of the Great Wall. Farmhouse options include savory crepes with free-range chicken eggs and braised reservoir fish with tofu.
  • Afternoon: Visit Beijing Expo Park, see the China Pavilion and Yongning Pavilion, and climb up for a panoramic view of the Guichuan Valley. The park is especially colorful in autumn and rewards a leisurely visit.
  • Evening: Stay in central Yanqing or near Beijing Expo Park. For dinner, try a huopen-guo tofu feast.
• Day 2: Longqing Gorge and Baili Landscape Gallery
  • Morning: Drive to Longqing Gorge and take a boat through about 7 kilometers of canyon, enjoying the mountain scenery. You can also walk along the cliffside walkway or take the elevator up.
  • Noon: Eat at a farmhouse restaurant outside the scenic area. Options include grilled rainbow trout skewers, fried river shrimp and chicken with wild mushrooms.
  • Afternoon: Drive the Baili Landscape Gallery along Luan-Chi Road, stopping at viewpoints. You can visit the Petrified Wood National Geopark or Dishuihu Waterfall.
  • Evening: Stay at a guesthouse in Qianjiadian Town, or return to central Yanqing for a quiet evening in the mountains.
• Day 3: Yongning Ancient City and Yeya Lake
  • Morning: Visit Yongning Ancient City to browse the market, see Yuhuang Pavilion, and try freshly baked Yongning huoshao and Yongning tofu set with sour whey.
  • Noon: Head to Liugou Folk Culture Village for a huopen-guo tofu feast and a look at the character of a Ming- and Qing-era village.
  • Afternoon: Visit Yeya Lake National Wetland Park. Rent a bicycle to circle the lake and observe the reed beds and migratory birds. Return after the visit.

Yanqing food recommendations

• Liugou tofu feast: Originating in Liugou Village, J井zhuang Town, this specialty features “three-color tofu” made from soybeans, black beans and mung beans. The tofu is set with sour whey and slowly simmered in a clay pot over a brazier, with cabbage and smoked pork belly. Expect to pay around 60 yuan per person.

• Yongning huoshao: A Yanqing intangible cultural heritage food with a crisp exterior and soft interior. The common filling is pepper-salt sesame paste; it can also be filled with pig’s head meat or braised pork knuckle. At local markets, it costs about 2.5 yuan each.

• Taihou meat pie: Crisp and fragrant pastry with savory meat filling. Arrive before 11 a.m. if possible. It can be served with chili oil and vinegar.

• Springwater Fragrant Duck: A local Yanqing dish made with laying ducks from Zhenzhuquan Township that feed on fish and shrimp from the river. The meat is tender with a clean, delicate flavor.

• Li Ji fried cakes: This shop dates back to the 1950s. Its fried cakes have crisp shells, soft centers and a sweet aroma, making them a traditional Yanqing snack.

Choosing accommodation

• Family getaway: Hyatt Regency Beijing Shiyuan is across the street from Beijing Expo Park. Its spacious rooms, hot springs and Qibabu Kids’ Land make it suitable for families, and its packages are relatively good value.

• Upscale comfort: DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing Badaling offers a pleasant environment and good service, making it suitable for families who prioritize accommodation quality. Dinner at the hotel is relatively expensive.

• Guesthouse experience: Consider guesthouses in Qianjiadian Town or around Yudu Mountain, costing 150–300 yuan per night. Some courtyards offer BBQs and stargazing. Check guest reviews and the property details before booking.

Transportation

• Driving: From central Beijing, take the Jingzang Expressway (G6) or Jingli Expressway; the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Baili Landscape Gallery and Gulong Road are well suited to driving tours, but mountain roads have many bends, so drive carefully.
• High-speed rail: Take a high-speed train from Beijing North or Qinghe Station to Yanqing Station; the journey takes about 30–50 minutes. From there, take a taxi or a Y-route bus to the scenic areas.
• Bus: Take Route 919 from Deshengmen to central Yanqing, then transfer to Route Y40 for Longqing Gorge or Route Y21 for Badaling, among other routes.

Travel tips

• Yeya Lake admission: The on-site adult ticket is 50 yuan. Beijing Park Annual Passes usually cannot be used, though some Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei passes are accepted. Parking costs a flat 20 yuan. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended.
• Temperature and clothing: October mornings in Yanqing can be only a few degrees above freezing, with a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Bring a heavy jacket. Mountain sunlight is strong, so consider bringing a sun hat and sunglasses.
• Great Wall routes: The “Hero’s Slope” at Badaling is at South Tower 4, not North Tower 8. To avoid heavier crowds, consider the Badaling Ancient Great Wall or Shuiguan Great Wall.
• Driving safety: Some sections of Baili Landscape Gallery and Gulong Road run close to cliffs and have many tight bends. Do not stop to take photos on bends, and watch for oncoming vehicles.
• Restaurant queues: Taihou Meat Pie and similar restaurants may have queues at lunchtime, so arrive before 11 a.m. Before ordering a tofu feast, confirm the menu and prices or check for group-buy deals.