Summer Vacation Ideas: National Parks and Resorts near Beijing 2024

Mount Yunmeng is located at the junction of Huairou District and Miyun County, about 85 kilometers outside of Beijing. The main peak of Mount Yunmeng is 1,414 m above sea level. Mount Yunmeng is also known as the "Little Mount Huangshan in the North" because there are trees extending from the cliff, which are similar to the peculiar pine trees found on Mount Huangshan. Each gorge of Mount Yunmeng is a scenic spot worth visiting, and there are many waterfalls and streams to enjoy. Many outdoor travelers like to come here for the experience of hiking and camping in this beautiful area. Many hiking routes with varied difficulty levels can be found within this picturesque area: Beginners can choose the Mount Yunmeng -Tianxian Waterfall route; The Mount Yunmeng -Yunmeng Gorge is a classic two-day trekking route. The Black Dragon Pool-Jingdu No. 1 Waterfall route is not well known but is a paradise for outdoor athletes.

The Labagoumen Undisturbed Secondary Forest Ecological Scenic Area, located in the northern end of Huairou District, is the largest natural forest region in Beijing with the most forest coverage in the region. In the summer it is very cool and even in July and August, the hottest months of the year, the average temperature is only 22℃, making it a popular summer resort in the suburbs of Beijing. In addition to the vast forest, the Labagoumen also boasts unique summer glacial wonders: The glaciers here are sandwiched between cliffs on both sides. The sunlight rarely touches the ice here. Even if a heat wave strikes in summer months, the thick ice layer accumulated over the years hardly melts, thus forming summer glaciers. There will also be some strange sights as the glaciers that are not completely melted in August and September begin to freeze again in October.

The Shidu Scenic Area is the only large-scale Karst Landform in Northern China, which goes along with the appeal of "Little Guilin in the North". This is a perfect place for recreational activities in the suburbs of Beijing. You can take bamboo rafts and go rafting, ride horses on the riverbank and try your luck at some bungee jumping, if you dare. Of course, the most popular activity in the area is river rafting. There are five main rafting spots from Jiudu to Shibadu. The longest rafting course with the most torrents is by the Juma River, which is located at the junction of Shidu and Yesanpo and has a total length of 4.2 km and has a dozen or so rapids. The Shi'erdu and the Shiwudu are more suitable rafting spots for children, which are shallower with fewer torrents.

Fengning Bashang is named as "Northern Beijing’s No.1 Grassland " and is the closest natural grassland to Beijing. It is divided into three geomorphic areas: the Baxia (downstream area), the Jieba (connecting area), and the Bashang (upstream area). The Jieba is a perfect hunting site and the Bashang is a summer resort. In July and August when Beijing is as hot as a sauna room, the temperature in Bashang grassland is only about 18-20 degrees, making it the best place around Beijing to escape the summer heat. Not only can you find beautiful grassland scenery in the area, but also many recreational activities such as horse riding, dirt bike driving, bonfire parties, enjoying folk songs and dances and you can also attend equestrian performances.

Yuetuo Island is located in the southwest of Leting County, Tangshan City. It is named for its resemblance to a crescent moon and ranks third among the eight most beautiful islands in China. There are many Dutch-style cabins and colorful villas on the island. The cabins are all built above the sea, therefore the island is also known as the "Maldives of China". There are various marine recreational activities on the seashore, including sunbathing, canoeing, windsurfing, rubber boat and motorboat driving. The other must do event on the island is the bonfire party. In addition to the fun, there are also many local delicacies that you should try, such as the seafood, Ganglu Shaobing, Gezha, and Liuhaifu.

Built in 1703, the Chengde Mountain Resort, together with the Summer Palace, Humble Administrator's Garden and Liuyuan Garden, are known as China's four famous gardens. It is also China's largest classical royal garden, with an area twice the size of the Summer Palace. The mountain resort is divided into four major areas, and the palace and lake area in the south is where you will experience the true essence of the resort. To the north is the mountain and the flats lands. The "Yanyu Building" in the lake area is also the location of "Shufangzhai" in the TV series "Princess Huanzhu".

The Beidaihe River is located to the west of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, and is only 2-3 hours' drive from Beijing. The Beidaihe River is China’s most famous summer and convalescent resort. The temperature there seldom exceeds 30 degrees Celsius in the year. The climate is very pleasant without extreme heat in summer or severe cold in winter. As well as the fantastic lodging and scenery, one can also find various delicious seafoods such as crabs, dried scallops, locust fish, mullet, sea snail, and sea cucumber. The roasted prawns and Boluobing are the most famous dishes there. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to taste fresh and delicious seafood.