Shidu

The place gets its name because it is said to be the 10th water crossing (shidu). There are plenty of shallow rivers flowing between peaks, with pebble beaches. The 10th crossing is the most developed, with restaurants, boating, punting, a cable route up onto a mountain, and sight-seeing inside the mountains. But if you go further, where there would be less people, you'll discover there are more than 20 similar crossings, with similar features such as a suspension bridge leading onto stairs winding inside the mountains. Great place to enjoy water and mountain sights.

Location: Shidu and Zhangfang in Fangshan District, 96 kilometers from city.

To get there: take bus 917's Shidu route at Tianqiao to arrive directly. Or take tour bus No 10 at Qianmen, Fuchengmen, or Xuanwumen during weekend and holidays. Or take Suburbs No 7 train at Beijing South Railway Station to arrive at Shidu. Drive on Jingshi Expressway to get off at Liulihe exit Liulihe Yueli Lu Yuegezhuang Yunjusi Lu Zhouzhang Lu Zhangbao Lu Shidu .

Jiankou Great Wall

This part of the Wall is famous because of the steep-turning mountains shaped like a W. It is also photographers' favorite. Shanzi Village at the bottom of the mountain is a regular residence for many tourists. There is a trout-raising base at the bottom of the Wall, where the fish can be tailor-made according to tourist's requirement.

Location: Badaohe, northwest of Huairou, less than 100 kilometers from Beijing.

To get there: Take bus 916 at Dongzhimen, change to bus heading Mutianyu, to arrive at Xinying , then change to mini-bus to go to Zhenzhuquan . Or take bus 916 to get to Huairou, take minivan to get to Xizhazi Village . Drive on Jingcheng Expressway, get off at 6th Ring Road to head east. Get out at Liuyuan Qiao to drive on Jingshun Lu Huairou Kaifang traffic isle Fule traffic isle Yanqi traffic isle Badaohe bridge Xizhazi Village.

Xiangshui Lake

Plenty of water flows at this serene resort, the "ringing water" lake. Besides the lake a stream basically follows the path into the mountains. There is also a section of un-renovated Great Wall.

Location: to the west of Mutianyu Great Wall in Huairou District. 78 kilometers from Beijing.

To get there: Take suburb train No 1 at 8:32am at Beijing Railway Station, or take suburb train No 3 at 7:13am at Xizhimen Railway Station, get off at Beizhaiya , there is a bus waiting to send you to Xiangshuihu. If you buy entry ticket at the railway station, train ticket is free single-way. Or take bus 916, 936 at Dongzhimen and get off at Huairou International Convention Center, and change to another bus. Drive on Airport Expressway Jingmi Lu Huairou Mutianyu traffic isle go west for 8 kilometers to arrive.

Longqing Gorge

The valley is dubbed "small Lijiang river", or "small three gorges" in North China. Boats take tourists to go deep into mountains on a big river between valleys, till you need to walk up a hill, with a temple at mid-way. The trail continues much further into the mountains, for the more adventurous. This place is much colder than inside the city, and has ice lamps and sculptures to see in winter.

Location: 15 kilometers northeast of Yanqing County, and 80 kilometers from Beijing city center.

How to get there: Take bus 919 at Deshengmen to get to Yanqing County, change to bus to arrive, or take tour bus No 8 at Qianmen, or Andingmen to arrive. Drive on Badaling Expressway to get to Yanqing, go further on Jingzhang (Beijing-Zhangjiakou) Highway to arrive.

Baiwang Mountain

Located just three kilometers to the north of Summer Palace, Baiwangshan is the closest forest park to Beijing. With vegetation coverage of more than 95 percent, this park is known as Beijing's oxygen source. Now is the perfect time to go climb the mountain, and appreciate green trees and spring flowers.

Location: three kilometers northwest of Summer Palace

To get there: take buses No 330, 716, 718, 722, 752, 903, 933, or Yuntong 112 to get to Baiwangshan, or Heishanhu Beikou . Drive to get to Xiaoying traffic isle , or Shangdi traffic isle , head west to arrive.

Miaofeng Mountain

This mountain range is known for ancient temples, specially shaped pine trees and rocks, as well as a great variety of plants and flowers. There are more than 600 different kinds of trees, and plenty of peach trees, cloves and mountain lilies. It is especially known for large patches of roses.

Location: Mentougou, 55 kilometers west of Beijing

To get there: take bus 326, or 336 at Pingguoyuan Station of subway Line 1, get off at Hetan and change to long-distance bus to arrive. There is also mini-bus at Pingguoyuan which can get to the mountain directly. Drive on Fushi Lu Longquan Hotel Danli Village Miaofengshan.

Kangxi Grassland

This is the nearest grassland to Beijing. You can stay in Mongolian style yurts, barbeque, fish, and attend a bonfire party. The place is one of the 1st to set up a professional horse-riding field measuring more than 100,000 square meters. It is also near Guanting reservoir.

Location: 15 kilometers west of Badaling Great Wall, 80 kilometers from Beijing.

To get there: take bus 919 at Deshengmen from 7-9am to arrive directly. Bus comes back from 2-5pm. Or take trains No 575, 577, 581 to get to Kangzhuang Station . Drive on Badaling Expressway Kangzhuang exit turn left at three-way crossroad to head for Kangxi Grassland and Wild Duck Lake turn right to arrive.

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