Scenic spots along the rail

Yanqi Lake

A national AAAA scenic spot, the lake sits in the north of Huairou district. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the Mutianyu Great Wall in the north and the Hongluo Temple in the west. The lake became the center of the world's attention in May 2017 when the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held there. It now offers sightseeing, leisure, entertainment and fitness experiences. Visitors can enjoy up to 50 water and land recreational programs at the lake, as well as trout and mutton barbecues.

Hongluo Temple

The Hongluo Temple was built in AD 338 and was renovated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It covers an area of 8 square kilometers and is one of the original sites for the practice of Buddhism in northern China. The temple sits in a mass of land containing ancient pinewoods with a mountain and river in the background. Visitors can visit a forest of bamboos, gingkoes and pine trees at the temple complex.

Yunmeng Mountain

Yunmeng Mountain lies in the west of Miyun district and features lofty mountain peaks, deep valleys, unusual shaped rocks, luxuriant trees and flowers, as well as waterfalls and winding streams. The main peak is more than 1,400 meters high and makes for a popular destination for hikers and climbers. Besides, the mild summer temperature makes the mountain a great resort for those seeking to escape the heat.

Wtown

Beijing WTown is in Gubeikou town, Miyun district, and is right next to the beautiful and precipitous Simatai Great Wall. The scenic resort was built on the site of three villages and features 430,000 square meters of mountainous courtyard dwellings. In WTown, tourists can visit the Simatai Great Wall and experience local folk customs. Barbeques and other typical cuisine and snacks in northern China are also available there.

Jinshanling Great Wall

The Jinshanling Great Wall lies in the mountainous area of Luanping county, Hebei province, and has a total length of 10.5 kilometers. Jinshanling was first built in the 6th century during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581). There are 67 watchtowers in different styles along the section. Viewed from a distance, the Jinshanling Great Wall resembles a giant dragon, carving a path over the mountain peaks whose line it follows.

(China Daily Global 07/30/2019 page15)