Waterfront locations: Yanqi Hu Scenic Area, Yanqi Hu amusement park, Sunrise Kempinski Hotel Beijing
Yanqi Hu is located at the southern part of Huairou District in Beijing, at the mouth of Yanqi River. The Yanqi River, formerly known as "Yanxi River," is a perennial tributary of the Chaobai River system.
The lake, named after the Yanxi Hu(Lake), consists of two parts: the East Lake and the West Lake. The East Lake is about 2 kilometers long from north to south and about 1 kilometer wide from east to west. The shape of its water surface resembles a penguin, with its belly facing east and its head facing west, creating an elegant and lifelike posture. The West Lake is shaped like coral, with winding and winding shores, and its surface is as smooth as a mirror. No matter which mountain around Yanqi Hu you stand on, you can enjoy the beautiful view where the Hu and mountains merge, showcasing a stunning scene of lakes and mountains in harmony.
Standing by Yanqi Hu and looking north towards He Fangkou, the 3,500-meter-long Great Wall stretches out in a magnificent and winding curve, creating a spectacular view. The Great Wall starts from Yuhuangding (commonly known as Beidou Peak) and extends westward, featuring 25 watchtowers along its route. This section of the Great Wall is a notable cultural landmark near Yanqi Hu. It is said that this part of the Great Wall was originally built by the famous Qi Jiguang in Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago. However, due to aging and neglect in the late Qing Dynasty, many parts of the Great Wall at He Fangkou collapsed or were damaged. The current visible section of the wall was restored as part of the surrounding developments for Yanqi Hu. Visitors at Yanqi Hu can easily spot the magnificent remains of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
In 2014, the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Informal Leaders' Meeting held at Yanqi Hu brought global attention to the core island of Yanqi Hu, and the area is gradually being developed into an international hub for high-level conferences.
From the Huairou exit on the Jingcheng Expressway, a 6-kilometer stretch along the connecting road to Yanqi Hu features the "Eight New Sceneries of Yanqi," which include: Songyun Yao Yue (Pine Clouds and Moonlight), Wufeng Qiuwen (Autumn Charm of Five Peaks), Yanba Lan Sheng (Scenic Views of the Wild Goose Dam), Yanliu Xun You (Wandering Through Willow Paths), Luoshan Xia Zhuang (Rosy Clouds on Spiral Mountain), Cui Yin Yan Dai (Green Shades Hidden in the Mist), Yanqi Chang Guan (Expansive Views of Yanqi), and Gu Huai Xi Yu (Whispers of Ancient Elms by the Creek). These eight scenic spots, like pearls scattered across the landscape, adorn the international conference city and are complemented by the 15-kilometer Huside walking path and the ecological forest area to the northwest, forming a beautiful picture.
The Yanqi Hu Scenic Area has a vegetation coverage rate of 90%, with mountains on three sides creating a natural barrier. The Hu is shielded from sandstorms, and the air is humid throughout the year. To the north lies the military-protective mountain range, where towering peaks stretch as far as the eye can see, and the Great Wall meanders through the mountains, with over a dozen watchtowers clearly visible. To the west stands the majestic Hongluo Mountain, with its steep slopes and impressive views, while the ancient Hongluo Temple's morning bell and evening drum resonate in harmony with the natural beauty of Yanqi Hu. To the east, the historically significant Jindeng Mountain and Yuanbao Mountain sit like two dazzling gems on the eastern shore of the Hu. Historical records show that on top of Jindeng Mountain stood the Jindeng Temple, built during the Tang Dynasty, and at the foot of the mountain lies the Puzhao Temple, built in the Ming Dynasty. Together, these temples were known as "Jindeng Puzhao" (Golden Lantern and Universal Light).
Yanqi Hu is a picturesque water resort with a wide expanse of clear water, often referred to as the "Little Xi Hu of Northern Beijing." The lake boasts pure water quality and is home to dozens of aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, turtles, and more. It is also a popular habitat for rare migratory birds such as geese, cranes, swans, and freshwater gulls, all of which thrive here due to the high water quality. Every spring and autumn, flocks of geese come to rest by the lake, which is how the Hu got its name.
The Yanqi Hu Resort is known for its beautiful environment and is a popular destination for fitness, leisure, and vacationing in the suburbs of Beijing. The resort offers a wide variety of recreational facilities, with more than 40 water and land-based activities available for visitors of all ages. Popular attractions include parasailing, water scooters, water motorcycles, water skydiving, water screen movies, rocket bungee jumping, flying trapeze, white-water rafting, rock climbing, archery, and splash pools, all of which are favored by tourists.
Huairou is one of the districts in Beijing that is particularly rich in boutique guesthouses. Not only around Yanqi Hu, but also near Hongluo Temple, Mutianyu, and Bohai Town, you can find many boutique guesthouses. For those who prefer high-end resorts, the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel Beijing near Yanqi Hu, Yanqi Hotel on the island, and Yanqi Lakeview Hotel of China State Construction are excellent choices. Whether you're strolling around Yanqi Hu, staying at a guesthouse and enjoying fish and farmhouse meals, or staying at a hotel for afternoon tea and western cuisine, there's something for everyone.
