In the hot summer, the mountains in the suburbs of Beijing are lush and cool. Let's go to the southwest of Beijing to spend the summer together!

1.Taiping Tianchi Natural Scenic Area

Taiping Tianchi Natural Scenic Area is about 3 kilometers long. The pool is surrounded by mountains, like an emerald set in the Taihang Mountains. The mountains on both sides are full of peaks and jagged rocks. In early spring, peach blossoms are in full bloom. In summer, it is full of greenery. In autumn, the maple leaves are red like fire. In winter, it is full of snow.

Taiping Tianchi Natural Scenic Area has beautiful and unique scenery. The water landscape includes Tianchi Wonderland, Jinchan Gorge Waterfall, Stream Trail, and Water Play Square. The mountain landscape includes Taoyuan Valley, Halfway Stone Road, Cave Home, and Yunshi Water Cave. The humanistic landscape includes beautiful legends such as the Samuel Fairy Pointing the Way and the Dragon King Ritual Temple.

Not only can you enjoy the beautiful scenery in Taiping Tianchi Natural Scenic Area, but you can also taste the local dishes in West Taiping Village, bringing you a unique rural vacation experience.

Address: Zhifu Road, West Taiping, Shidu Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

2.Jinshui Lake Scenic Area

Jinshui Lake Scenic Area is surrounded by mountains and is about 400 meters above sea level. The air here is fresh, making it a good place to escape from summer heat and enjoy ice falls in winter. The water area of Jinshui Lake Scenic Area is 228 mu, and a 100-meter cable bridge is built across the lake. The surrounding mountains and the lake reflect each other, adding to the beauty of the landscape.

When night falls, Jinshui Lake is brightly lit. Various colors of neon lights and the landscape reflect each other. If you look up, you will see "stars".

Address: Pigeon Terrace Reservoir, Xiayunling Village, Xiayunling Township, Fangshan District, Beijing

3.Shidu Macaque Grand Canyon

Shidu Macaque Grand Canyon is located in West Taiping Village, within the scenic area of Shidu National Geopark named "Hundred Miles Gallery" in Fangshan. Surrounded by mountains, the terrain is dangerous, with springs trickling and rich vegetation.

There are ancient living sites and many vivid legends from 100,000 years ago, as well as General Xiao Ke's anti-Japanese base and many little-known stories in the Shidu Macaque Grand Canyon. The landscape includes stone monkeys enjoying the moon, orangutans watching the stream, phoenixes opening the screen, and Yunv Peak. There are exotic flowers, rare birds and beasts, 10,000 mu of pine forests and wild macaques. In spring, the flowers are in full bloom; in summer, the shades are thick; in autumn, the fruits are abundant; and in winter, the glaciers are like mirrors.

Address: West Taiping Monkey Mountain, West Taiping Village, Shidufeng Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

4. Sacred Lotus Mountain Scenic Area

Sacred Lotus Mountain Scenic Area is located in Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing (more than 90 kilometers from the city center). At an altitude of 1030 meters, Sacred Lotus Mountain is also known as Lotus Mountain. It is named because the whole mountain resembles a lotus petal. The natural scenery is a combination of majesty, danger, mystery, extinction and beauty. It is called the "No. 1 Wondrous Mountain in Beijing" because of its excellent vegetation and mysterious geological wonders.

Sacred Lotus Mountain Scenic Area is located in Fangshan District, Beijing, about 70 kilometers away from downtown Beijing by car. There are also many farmhouses around the scenic area, where you can taste the fresh air and authentic farmhouse food. It is a good choice for a relaxing weekend outing in the suburbs of Beijing. There is a distance from the parking lot to the foot of the mountain, and it takes about 1 hour to walk. There is a round-trip electric car, and the ticket is 20 RMB. The full walking climb takes about 5 hours. You can also take the cable car for 40 RMB each way.

The scenery of the mountain is very beautiful, with many steep rock walls and strange pines and rocks. There is also a huge statue of Laozi at the top of the mountain, and it is very spectacular. Visitors can take a photo with it.

Address: Liulinshui Village, Shijiaying Township, northwest of Fangshan District, Beijing

Translator: LIU Yu

Reviewer: WANG Jiahui