At the turn of autumn and winter, migratory birds heading south for the winter have begun their journey. Beijing is one of the world's eight major migratory bird passages, and with the snow season approaching, are ski enthusiasts ready to hit the slopes? On the weekend, consider visiting Yanqing to experience the limited winter fun—
Play Section
01 Yeya Lake National Wetland Park
In autumn, Yeya Lake is adorned with the gentle dance of reed flowers and the swaying of Miscanthus flowers, offering a view of the vast expanse described as "reed catkins are green, and dew turns to frost," and the vibrant scene of "sunset and solitary ducks fly together, autumn waters blend with the sky."
Tourist Route: Entrance Avenue—Photography Trail of Flora and Fauna—Waterfront Platform—Lakeside Boardwalk (right side)—Reed Wooden Walkway—Home of Waterfowl—Guanting Reservoir—Windmill
Yeya Lake National Wetland Park Nature Reserve is an important transit station on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and a significant wintering site for migratory birds in Beijing. Every year, tens of thousands of migratory birds stop and rest here. The best viewing period for migratory birds is now and will last until mid to late November.
Currently, more than 20 species of wintering migratory birds, including grey cranes, gulls with red beaks, and Siberian silver gulls, have arrived. In the near future, a large number of wintering migratory birds will continue to arrive, including rare species such as black storks, swans, and red-billed gull, which will rest and refuel at Yeyahu Wetland before their long journey.
02 Guanting Reservoir National Wetland Park
Recently, birds such as swans, geese, bean geese, red-breasted ducks, and avocets have landed and rested in large numbers in the reservoir area. It is expected that the peak of this year's migratory bird migration will be around November 15th.
Autumn Birdwatching Tour Route:
West Entrance Visitor Service Center—Wetland Museum (30 minutes)—Near the Lake at Mirror Lake Green Shadow Station (40 minutes)—Lotus Pond Moonlight Viewing Tower (30 minutes)—West Entrance Visitor Service Center
Tour Duration: Approximately 2-3 hours
Tour Mode: Hiking for a healthy outing, slowly enjoying the beauty of wetland birds
Note: This route is suitable for nature and photography enthusiasts. Visitors can appreciate the postures of various flora and fauna, capture novel scenes such as withered lotus and flying birds, and feel the life and vitality of nature in different seasons.
03 Yanqing Olympic Zone
Yanqing Olympic Zone was the venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics' alpine skiing and bobsleigh events, as well as the Winter Olympic Village. The National Alpine Skiing Center of Yanqing Olympic Park is located in the Xiaohaituo Valley with the highest altitude of 2198 meters. It is expected that the ski slopes will be opened to the public in batches from mid to late November to welcome ski enthusiasts for the 2024-2025 snow season. The operation period will last from November 18, 2024, to March 18, 2025, a total of 120 days. The park has newly built a snowboard terrain slope and will open the "Rui Snow Avenue," originally used for the Beijing Winter Olympics' downhill training, for the first time to the public, providing an excellent experience opportunity for ice and snow sports enthusiasts. Starting from December this year, the National Alpine Skiing Center will host international events such as the FIS Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom World Cup A-level event and the Beijing Youth Alpine Skiing Championships.
Address: Xi Dazhuangke Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing, Beijing
04 Vanke • Shi Jinglong Ski Resort
Vanke • Shi Jinglong Ski Resort is the first ski resort with the largest scale and most complete facilities in the surrounding areas of Beijing. It is the first in the country to use artificial snowmaking. The ski resort covers an area of 600 acres and can accommodate 5000 people for snow entertainment activities at the same time. Ski enthusiasts of all levels can find the joy that this outdoor sport brings here.
This winter, Vanke Shi Jinglong Ski Resort will have 10 sun-facing ski slopes. It is expected that the beginner and intermediate slopes will open first in mid-November, and all 10 slopes will be open by mid-December. In addition, the ski resort has opened two ice and snow direct buses on the East Third Ring Road and West Second Ring Road, with multiple stops along the way, making it more convenient for citizens and tourists to come skiing.
Address: Intersection of Jiuxiao Road and Mi Huang Road, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing, Beijing
05 Badaling Ski Resort
Badaling Ski Resort has a snow-making area of 180,000 square meters and a comprehensive service club of 8,000 square meters. With its unique European-style ski hall and authentic Western cuisine, it has become a highlight of the suburban ski resorts in Beijing.
The ski resort has 8 ski slopes for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers, equipped with four-person cable cars, magic carpets, and tow ropes. The ski resort operates in a full-teaching mode, and visitors can only access the corresponding ski slopes after being assessed by the coach at the pass, making it safer as a winter camp ski teaching venue.
Address: No. 66 Economic Development Zone, Badaling Town, Yanqing, Beijing
06 Yongning Ancient City
Yongning Town has a long history and is the second batch of "Historical and Cultural Protection Blocks" in Beijing. It has 13 national, municipal, and district-level intangible cultural heritages, such as Nanguan Zhuma, Huoshao, and tofu. Yongning Ancient City was first built during the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. There are 12 city-level cultural relics, 13 intangible cultural heritages, and 14 temples within the city. Centered around the Jade Emperor Pavilion, they are distributed in a "field" pattern.
When night falls, the ancient city is brightly lit, and the night market is full of snack stalls. Visitors can taste local specialties such as Yongning tofu and Huoshao, feeling the human atmosphere of the ancient city. The ancient city also performs wonderful folk performances such as Nanguan Zhuma, stilts, and dragon lanterns, allowing visitors to feel the diverse charm of traditional culture up close.
Address: Changchi Road, Yongning Town, Yanqing, Beijing
Gourmet Section
01 Yanqing Huoshao
Yanqing Huoshao is acclaimed as one of the "Top Ten Intangible Cultural Heritages" in Yanqing District. Baked in a natural fireplace, it contains a filling of pepper salt, emphasizing the principle of "tender filling and crispy skin." A bite into the freshly baked Yanqing Huoshao reveals a rich aroma of wheat and the fragrance of pepper salt that stimulates the taste buds.
With the culinary rule of "everything can be stuffed," the Huoshao can be paired with various fillings such as pork cheek, fried bean skin, and ham sausage, offering an increasingly diverse range of ways to enjoy it. Its unique taste and texture have made it a cultural symbol of Yanqing cuisine.
02 Liugou Huopen Tofu
The Huopen pot tofu feast in Jingzhuang Town has a history of 20 years. It is filled with marinated pork belly, cabbage, and various tofu, creating a harmonious combination of meat and vegetables that is oily yet not greasy. Today's tofu feast retains the "essence" of the traditional Huopen pot while introducing new ways of enjoying it, such as Huizhou-style and seafood Huopen pots.
In addition, Jingzhuang Town also offers other delicacies like the Duiou Stone Whole Fish Feast, San Si Cypress Smoked Meat Feast, Xiangyang Fish Feast, and Beef Tripe Feast, each with its own delicious appeal.
03 He's Braised Pig's Face
The intangible cultural heritage delicacy of "braised pig's face" from Shixia Village at Shi Guang Great Wall is seasoned with over twenty kinds of Chinese herbs and simmered in an old broth. The pig's face is rich yet not greasy, lean yet not woody, with a soft, glutinous, and mellow texture. When paired with Huoshao, it leaves a lingering aroma in the mouth.
Accommodation Section
01 Yanqing Olympic Village Resort Hotel
One of the Winter Olympic venues, the hotel is located in the Haituo Mountain Forest Nature Reserve. The architectural style adopts a low-rise, high-density "mountain village" layout with semi-open architectural courtyards. Built against the mountain, the hotel also showcases the cultural characteristics of Beijing's Siheyuan.
The hotel has over 700 warm and comfortable rooms, each rationally planned according to the landscape and size of different orientations. Each room stands by the window, offering a panoramic view of the Yanshan Mountain range, with its blue skies, forests, and snowy fields.
Address: Xidazhuangke Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing, Beijing
02 Wuwang Mountain Great Wall • Suiji
Wuwuwang Mountain Great Wall • Suiji is located at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, with 20 detached villas, each courtyard named after the 24 solar terms. Each room is equipped with a semi-outdoor constant temperature private hot spring, allowing guests to admire the starry sky in the rose hot spring pool and enjoy a dual feast for the eyes and taste buds at the White Deer Restaurant and White Kiln Café.
Address: Chengjiao Village, Badaling Town, Yanqing, Beijing
03 Yuanxiangli • Sansi Homestay
Located at the foot of the ancient Great Wall, this 600-year-old stone village is a comprehensive homestay that integrates accommodation, dining, leisure, family activities, cultural creativity, intangible cultural heritage, and public welfare. Public spaces such as the reception center and cultural space experience hall are open to tourists and villagers for free. In September of this year, the "Great Wall Living Museum" in Yanqing was inaugurated in Sansi Village.
The homestay consists of a rural bar and six independent courtyards, surrounded by scenic spots such as Liugou Phoenix Ancient City, Yongning Ancient City, and Badaling Great Wall.
Address: Sansi Village, Jingzhuang Town, Yanqing, Beijing
