After hibernating through the winter, do you long for the sea, to cleanse your vision and soul with shades of blue? Hidden deep in the mountains of Changping District lies a secret spot where you can "see the sea." Vast rippling waters blend seamlessly with the sky, whisking you away to the coastline in an instant. Come to Changping and embark on your own "sea-gazing" journey!
Travel Guide
01/ Ming Tombs Reservoir
Nestled among the mountains of Changping, Beijing, Ming Tombs Reservoir lies in serene beauty, mirroring the grandeur of the Ming Tombs like a radiant pearl.
Here, the sky and water merge into one, while distant mountains stretch endlessly, offering a breathtaking view. Looking down, you'll see shimmering emerald waters, as if a jade gemstone were embedded within the mountains. Take a stroll along the lakeshore in early spring, feel the gentle breeze, and immerse yourself in the romance of Beijing's very own "seaside" escape.
Come to Changping for a scenic adventure! Explore the wonders surrounding Ming Tombs Reservoir—there's so much waiting to be discovered.
Location: Ming Tombs Scenic Area, Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
02/ Beijing Ming Tombs National Forest Park - Mangshan Scenic Area
On March 1st, the Mangshan Scenic Area of Beijing Ming Tombs National Forest Park will officially reopen. Before the official reopening, from February 26th to 27th, the scenic area will hold a two-day trial operation, offering free access to the public.
Situated to the east of Ming Tombs Reservoir, Mangshan Scenic Area is the largest national forest park in Beijing. The area is named after Mangshan Mountain, which resembles a giant python due to its undulating terrain.
The highlights of Mangshan include the Stone Buddha, the forest boardwalk, and the Prayer Corridor. At the foot of the mountain, on a platform surrounded by the mountain's embrace, sits a giant Stone Maitreya Buddha. The statue stands at 9.9 meters tall and weighs over 1,500 tons, carved from 200 pieces of granite, each weighing 5 to 10 tons.
There are two main paths to reach the summit. One is a relatively steep stone staircase, offering a direct and quick ascent, while the other is a more gradual wooden boardwalk, winding along the mountain with no shelter, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of Ming Tombs Reservoir along the way.
At the top, the view from the Observation Platform allows you to take in the beautiful landscape of the surrounding mountains and the entire Changping district. Looking back at Mangshan, its majestic grandeur fills your view.
This early spring, especially in the Year of the Snake, let's head to Mangshan Scenic Area and get moving!
Location: No. 2, Mangshan Lu (Rd), Changping, Beijing
03/ The Ming Tombs
The Ming Tombs are a vast collection of tombs for the emperors of the Ming Dynasty in China. In July 2003, they were officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Not only is this a 5A-level national scenic spot, but it is also an excellent place to immerse oneself in Ming culture.
Most visitors begin their tour of the Ming Tombs from the Sacred Way, which starts at the Stone Archway in the south and extends north to the Changling Tomb Gate. The Sacred Way stretches about 7.3 kilometers, and its most notable feature is the stone statues that line the path.
Here, you'll find China's largest and best-preserved collection of stone statues, which represent the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sculptural art. The statues hold immeasurable artistic and cultural value.
Currently, six tombs, including Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling, Kangling, Yongling, and Siling, are open to the public. You can take a leisurely walk along the Sacred Way to appreciate the exquisite stone carvings, visit the Shrine of Grace in Changling to marvel at its grand architectural scale, explore the underground palace of Dingling, and experience the profound legacy of Ming culture.
Visitors who have come to the Ming Tombs say, "The Ming Tombs are truly worth a visit. It's a real opportunity to feel the connection between history and reality. You can learn about history and expand your imagination. The view of the Tianshou Mountain in the distance is crystal clear, and the color of the nearby reservoir is so soothing!"
Location: Changchi Lu (Rd), Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
04/ Strawberry Picking
At the foot of the Yan Mountains, at 40° north latitude, lies the best region for strawberry cultivation. Here, under the sun, strawberries ripen and shine, their vibrant color and sweetness captivating all who see them. Changping, with its unique natural advantages, produces strawberries of exceptional flavor.
Step into the warm greenhouse, where "Hongyan" strawberries are plump and tempting, "Suizhu" strawberries are as sweet as honey, and "Snow White" strawberries are pure and flawless. Each fruit is full, releasing an irresistible fragrance. As you stroll through the rows, gently picking and savoring the fruit, the soft flesh bursts with juice and sweetness the moment you bite down.
With children's laughter filling the air, families enjoy the joy of the farm together. At the Changping strawberry picking gardens, you can indulge in a leisurely and sweet experience.
Changping Strawberry Landmark Authorized Enterprises List
Picking Tips
When picking strawberries, look for the larger, evenly red ones with big green caps. Don't rush to pick at the entrance; venture deeper into the greenhouse where you'll find even larger, sweeter strawberries!
Pay attention to the color of the strawberry seeds. Naturally ripened strawberries have seeds that are yellow-green, while those with white-green seeds are not fully ripe yet.
When picking, be gentle to avoid damaging the strawberry cap, as this helps with preservation. When storing strawberries, avoid getting the surface wet, as water droplets can accelerate spoilage. Keep them dry for the best storage.
Gastronomy Guide
01/ Shisanling Spring Pancake Feast
Spring is the perfect time to enjoy spring pancakes, and when you're visiting Changping, don't miss the chance to experience the Spring Pancake Feast in Shisanling Town.
The spring pancakes are as thin as a cicada's wings, rolled with fried eggs, bean sprouts, and vermicelli, then complemented by a variety of side dishes. The offerings are plentiful, ensuring that you won't regret the visit.
Dishes like Pork with salted vegetable, stewed chicken, iron pot stewed fish, scrambled eggs, braised tofu, braised kelp, and steamed pumpkin...
Each plate of food tempts your taste buds, and the portions are generous. More importantly, the flavors are exceptional, leaving visitors who came from afar utterly satisfied.
Location: Kangling Folk Village, Ming Tombs Scenic Area, Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
02/ Changling Village Yongle Hele Feast
Changling Village is named after the Changling Tomb, the burial site of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) and his empress Xu, and it is the earliest and largest tomb in the Ming Tombs complex.
One of the signature dishes of Changling Village's Hele Feast is Hele noodles. Made from cornmeal, millet flour, buckwheat flour, or other mixed bean flours, the dough is pressed through round holes to form small, round strips. These noodles are thicker than regular ones, and while they are eaten much like noodles, they have a hearty, chewy texture. The soup base is flavorful and perfectly balanced.
The feast includes a variety of dishes like river vegetables, candied pumpkin, bean flour Hele, fried sweet potatoes, stewed chicken, braised pork, hometown sausages, and more. Many of these are traditional farmhouse flavors that you won't find in the city.
If you're only a couple of people, you can opt for a single bowl of Hele noodles and pair it with two classic side dishes. You'll have your fill without wasting any food!
Location: Changling Village, Ming Tombs Scenic Area, Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
03/ Xianrendong Village Vegetarian Feast
If you're a vegetarian enthusiast, you must not miss the vegetarian feast at Xianrendong Village in Shisanling Town.
Dishes like sauerkraut with white meat, pork ribs stewed with yam, rice noodles with meat, stir-fried chicken cubes, and Four Happiness Meatballs... If not informed in advance, you might struggle to tell that this entire banquet is vegetarian, just by looking or tasting. The main ingredients include fresh beans, noodles, vegetables, mushrooms, and taro, all crafted into a feast that is as visually appealing as it is flavorful.
The "vegetarian stir-fried sausage," "Buddha jumps over the wall," and "roast duck" are particularly famous in the Xianrendong Village Vegetarian Feast. Made from gluten and soy protein, these dishes have a rich, meaty flavor, making them must-try items on the vegetarian menu.
Location: Xianrendong Village, Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
Accommodation Guide
01/ BBMG Fengshan Hotel & Resort
BBMG Fengshan Hotel & Resort is nestled between the beautiful Mangshan Scenic Area and the serene Shisanling Reservoir, offering a peaceful retreat far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The resort sources its hot spring water from a depth of 3,800 meters underground, rich in various trace elements and minerals beneficial to the body.
With a 21,000-square-meter hot spring park and 72 unique hot spring pools, along with extensive entertainment facilities and a self-service restaurant, the resort provides a comprehensive and relaxing hot spring experience for all visitors. The resort features 306 standard rooms, 28 hot spring rooms, and 12 villas, offering a variety of room types to cater to the needs of all guests.
Location: No. 10, Mangshan Lu (Rd), Changping, Beijing
02/ Chunshangcun SU
Chunshangcun SU is themed around Jingxiu (Beijing embroidery), offering an accommodation experience filled with artistic flair. Here, you can personally experience the charm of Jingxiu and feel the perfect blend of traditional art and modern living.
This is not just a place to stay, but a sanctuary for art. The five rooms—Woyun, Zhuyin, Zhonghe, Zuowang, and Yuanjue—are each uniquely decorated with distinctive characteristics and a creative touch.
Location: No. 47, Mayufang Village, Shili Lu (Rd), Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
03/ Yuanye · Bamboo Rest Mountain House
Yuanye · Bamboo Rest Mountain House is renowned for its courtyard surrounded by bamboo forests, offering a tranquil space far from the hustle and bustle. Here, you can enjoy tea, engage in lively conversations, or bask in the sun, creating the perfect setting for a healing weekend.
Location: No. 199, Xiaogongmen Village, Shisanling Town, Changping, Beijing
With the temperatures gradually rising, it's the perfect time to step outside and embrace the budding spring while enjoying the beauty of mountains and waters!
Translators: BAI Jing
Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan
