120 km from Beijing, the Purple Sea and Vanilla Art Manor is located in the village of Beikou. This is an interesting area to visit generally, located as it is on the Yang River, north of Miyun, adjoining the Simatai section of the Great Wall of China. The garden itself is substantial at 300 acres. As its name suggests, along with lavender and other flowering plants such as vervain and chamomile, the garden plays host to 200 varieties of vanilla, itself beautiful when in bloom. With a longer flowering season, (up to eight months), you need not need be disappointed should you miss out on the lavender season.

If you are concerned about inclement weather, don't worry; the garden has tents along the sea coast in which you can see the blossom, and other enclosed areas scattered around the garden's hilly slopes. Not to be missed is the Xiangti Clubhouse courtyard, with its background of green mountains, broken by a clear, running stream. Popular with foreign tourists, you will find plenty of amenities and distractions. The restaurants have western food as well as traditional Chinese fare, and its hydroponic project is at once beautiful and informative. There's everything you could want here for anything from a romantic day out to an interesting experience for inquiring minds.

Address: Near Tanghe village, Beikou town, north of Miyun District (近郊密云县古北口镇汤河, 近司马台长城)

Self-driving Route: Driving along Beijing-Chengde Expressway to Simatai Great Wall highway tollgate, exit the highway diving towards the signboard of Purple Sea and Vanilla Art Manor for 5 minutes to the destination.

Source: chinahighlights.com