4-Day In-Depth Self-Drive Hiking Tour of Suburban Beijing's Mountains, Waters, and Ancient Temples
Exploration
Pick up car at Beijing South Station and depart
Book an economy car on the platform in advance. After arriving at the station, walk to the car rental counter to complete the procedures, check the car condition, and install the phone mount.
Tour of Hongluo Temple
A millennium-old temple built in the Eastern Jin dynasty, famous for its three wonders: Imperial Bamboo Forest, Male-female Ginkgo Trees, and Wisteria Clinging to Pine. Along the central axis, visit the Mahavira Hall and the Three Saints Hall. The rear mountain has a walking trail to Guanyin Temple. Suitable for photographing details of ancient architecture and autumn leaves.
Homestay check-in & Farmhouse Dinner
Check in to a pre-booked mountain-view homestay in Huairou (about 150 yuan/night). Enjoy farmhouse stewed dishes, rainbow trout, wild vegetables, etc. for dinner, at about 60 yuan per person.
Exploration
Guesthouse Breakfast & Departure
Simple farm breakfast: porridge, steamed buns, eggs, and pickles to replenish energy.
Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking (Western Route)
Enter through the North Ticket Checkpoint, take the cable car (optional, not included) or hike up to the western section (toward Zhengguan Tower). The wall has steep undulations, suitable for hiking and photography. Capture silhouettes of watchtowers and distant mountains. It is recommended to return the same way after reaching the 4th watchtower.
Farmhouse Lunch at the Foot of the Great Wall
Enjoy lunch at a farmhouse outside the scenic area. Recommended dishes include chestnut braised chicken, stir-fried free-range eggs, and wild vegetable pies. Average cost is about 40 yuan per person.
返回民宿休息
Exploration
Breakfast & Checkout
Enjoy breakfast before checkout, take your luggage to the car, and move to a B&B near Yanqi Lake tonight.
Yanqi Lake Lakeside Hiking
Enter from the southwest gate of Yanqi Lake and follow the wooden boardwalk along the lake, covering a total distance of about 8 km. Capture the lake surface, distant mountains, and the APEC Conference Center buildings after sunrise. In autumn, reed flowers also make a good foreground.
Lakeside Lunch
Find a farmhouse restaurant in Baiyachang Village, order a fish head with pancake and seasonal vegetables, about 45 yuan per person.
Hiking on Shentangyu Plank Road
A free open-air plank road along the stream, about 7 km long, winding with multiple small waterfalls and pools. Suitable for hiking and slow shutter photography of flowing water. Watch out for slippery footing.
Exploration
B&B Breakfast & Departure
After a simple breakfast, pack up and check out.
Dajue Temple Visit & Photography
Visit the ancient Liao Dynasty temple, focusing on photographing the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree (golden in autumn) in front of the Wuliangshoufo Hall, the pagoda forest, and the temple gate. Then you can hike the Jiufeng Mountain Trail (free) for a panoramic view.
Dajue Temple Vegetarian Lunch
Have a vegetarian meal at Minghui Tea House within the temple. Recommended: vegetarian noodles, vegetarian buns, and cold wild vegetable salad. About 40 yuan per person. Peaceful environment.