Mutianyu, Yanqi Lake, and Other Popular Tourist Sites Reopen
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First it was Badaling, then it was Beijing Zoo, then the Ming Tombs, and now it's time for Mutianyu and Yanqi Lake to finally reopen to the public. Yes, spring is here and Beijing's tourist hotspots are gradually coming back to life.
In addition to Mutianyu and Yanqi Lake, Hongluo Temple, Huanghuacheng, and Qinglongxia have also joined in the fun. As always, remember that as with most parks and tourism sites, some restrictions apply: visitor capacity may be capped, temperatures will be checked and masks must be worn throughout your visit, and you must maintain a one-meter distance with others.
All of the below sites are located in Beijing's northeasterly Huairou District, making them perfect should you want to try and fit in a couple in a day. There are also several ways to reach each of these attractions, so it's a good idea to do some digging to see which is best for you.Tell me more! How do I get there?
Mutianyu Great Wall
Mutianyu, one of the most popular stretches of the Great Wall, is also one of the best-preserved. Having first been built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, the Mutianyu section is older than Badaling and served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It does get crowded (go in the morning), but most opt or the cable-car to ascent, leaving you plenty of room to hike up instead. Go there for the scenic surrounding forests, and a bit of a hike, then enjoy the cheater's way back down in the form of a winding toboggan.
Yanqi Lake
The bucolic scenery of Yanqi Lake makes it perfect for a pleasant stroll, bike ride, or a weekend stay at the unique and ping-pong paddle-shaped Sunrise Kempinski Hotel. There are plenty of activities in the park for kids as well as a romantic boat tour for the grown-ups, giving you a full view of the surrounding mountains, which are lit up at night.
Hongluo Temple
Set at the foot of the Hongluo Mountain directly north of Huairou, Hongluo Temple (Red Shells Temple) was first established during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) but rebuilt many times since, including most extensively during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). It is one of the largest and most extensive Buddhist temples in the Beijing area.
How to get there: Take bus 867 from Dongzhimen Bus Station and alight at Hongluo Temple.
Huanghuacheng
Another of the more scenic portions of the Great Wall, Huanghuacheng (Yellow Flower Wall) is best known for how the wall dips and enters the reservoir below before rising out on the other side and snaking back up the mountain. As the name suggests, the nearby village is awash with blooming yellow flowers come spring, and the area is perfect for hikes given that it's pretty quiet compared to other parts of the wall.
Qinglongxia
According to local legend, Qinglongxia (Green Dragon Gorge) was once home to a docile green dragon. However, since the establishment of the Dashuiyu Reservoir in 1972, you're more likely to spot tourists ogling the area's greenery, Ming dynasty-era Great Wall, springs and ponds, and climbing on the nearby Qinglong Mountain.
READ: Great Wall Creates Tourist Blacklist After Visitor Caught Defacing Badaling
Images: Get Your Guide, Wikimedia, China Discovery, Nouah's Ark
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