If you are looking for a ski resort within an hour’s driving distance from Beijing that has a lot of interesting scenery, Badaling Ski Resort is a good pick because it is near the Great Wall of China. It is only three kilometers away from the Wall. There are also hot springs for enjoyment nearby and an American style restaurant. This ski park is one of the newest in the Beijing area. It is about 2.5 square kilometers in size. It’s in Yanqing District and is about 75 kilometers north of downtown Beijing. Unlike in other resorts, basic instruction is free. More personal instruction is available from foreign and Chinese coaches. The foreign coaches charge more. See China Highlights' skiing tours to experience China's ski resorts. 

​Features The resort features two 800 meter elementary ski runs. There are also two 600 meter intermediate ski runs and one 800 meter high-level ski run. There is also a 2,300 meter motor run. However, the intermediate and advanced slopes are not so difficult. The park isn’t designed for advanced skiers. It is more of a ski park meant for easy fun. There is an American style restaurant called Grandma's Kitchen. It offers fast food starting at just RMB 25 (about 3.50 USD). There are also various kinds of sandwiches, milk shakes, and pies, as well as heavier fare such as fried chicken, steak, and mashed potatoes, etc.

Songshan Forest Tourist Area is a part of the Songshan Natural Protection Region. It is situated in the northwest of Yanqing District, Beijing, in the middle of the Jundu Mountain region. It is more than 90 kilometers away from the city. The tourist area is a specially administered region. It has an exceptional natural environment with rich plant and animal resources.

In 1986, the area was designated a National Nature Protection Area by the State Council. In 2000, it was designated as a Municipal Tourist Attraction. The protection area covers 4,660 hectares in total. The core area is 1,819 hectares, the experimental area is 1,578 hectares, and the tourist area is 1,263 hectares. There is a lot of wildlife within the park. The forest is lush and dense, and there are more than 180 types of vertebrate animals and 700 types of plants in the area. There are more than 50 hectares of Chinese pines that have been well preserved. Stele inscriptions from the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty recorded about this area read as follows, “Green pines and cypresses show off their beautiful dark green.” In the spring and autumn, hundreds of wild flowers are in full bloom and the birds tune their singing voices here. The area thrives with natural vitality.

The Haituo Mountain Peak within the beautiful park has an elevation of 2,199.6 meters, and is the second highest peak in the Beijing area. There are also more than 30 scenic spots such as the Natural Chinese Pines, the One-Hundred Waterfall Spring, The Eight Immortals Cave, Flying Dragon Cliff, and other natural splendors, each of which has its own special characteristics. The Songshan Tourist Area enjoys a classical mountain climate. Because of the high elevation and its geographic features, the climate is extremely easy for people to bear. It is one of the few parts of Beijing that has a lower-than-normal temperature. The average annual temperature here is 7°C, 4 degrees lower than Beijing and 2.9 degrees lower than in Chengde.

The hot springs of Songshan Mountain are popular for people of all ages, and the area has been a destination for medical pilgrimages since a long time ago. The temperature of the hot springs is 45°C. Every day more than 2,000 cubic meters of water pours from the springs. The water contains 37 different natural elements such as potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and others. The fluorine content in the water is as high as 12mg/liter, making the spring particularly effective for the treatment of skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatism and neuralgia. Over the ages, a great many people have been attracted to the baths.

Songshan Natural Protection Zone is an ideal place for scientific research or educational practices. It is also a great place to pass a vacation, seek medical treatment, write poetry or paint, or enjoy the splendor of the wilderness. After a few years of development, the facilities here are quite extensive.

Featured Attractions: It has 713 kinds of plants among which medicinal plants accounts for a large proportion of them, about 300 kinds; there are 184 kinds of vertebrate animals, 125 kinds of birds and 80 kinds of breeding birds. It has natural pines, Baibu waterfall, Baxian Cave and more than 30 attractions which have distinguishing features. Songshan Spring was famous since more than 1,500 years ago, during a period of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The area was made into a pond for women to bathe in. It was honored by the people of the Qing Dynasty as "the best place for the body", and a "holy land for cultivating the body".

Badaling National Forest Park is located at an altitude slightly higher than other Beijing attractions and is well known for the red leaf festival that takes place annually. The duration of the Red Leaf Festival at Badaling Forest Park is usually about 2 weeks long. The best time for joining the festival is from September 28 to the October 25.

In the past, favorable weather has permitted up to 8,000 visitors each day admitted to the parkl, 30 percent more than that of the same period last year. Badaling Forest Park is a very suitable destination for weekend getaways or for vacations at any time of the year, except the winter. The park will be closed during the winter season for security purposes. If you plan to enjoy the Beijing tours in the winter, it is very unfortunate that you cannot enjoy the breathtaking scenery that can be found within the park. If you have the chance to visit Beijing during the summer, then you should consider Badaling Forest Park as a gateway that connects you to nature.

Featured Attractions: Red Leaves Scenic Area is a unique area for the purpose of enjoying the the park’s highlight--its red leaves--in an area of about one thousand mu which boasts about 50,000 red leaf trees. The best time to visit the area is from late September to early November, especially in October when the red leaves are at their most vivid state. Red leaves in the area have three characteristics. First of all, the area boasts the most gorgeous red leaves, due to the relatively low temperatures and the large temperature differences between day and night, favoring of pigmentation. Additionally, the clean and uncontaminated air contributes to the red leaves’ healthy growth. Secondly, the red leaves turn red very early, about half a month earlier than those downtown, in fact. Thirdly, the area boasts an original ecological rural landscape. Fourthly, visitors can get close to red leaves and inspect them closely rather than appreciating them from a distance.

Guyaju Scenic Area (Ancient Cliff Side Residence) is located about 20 kilometers to the northwestern side of Badaling Great Wall. Similar to Badaling Great Wall, Guyaju also plays a very important role as a site of mysterious cultural heritage of the ancients and is known as an unsolved mystery throughout the nation. Guyaju is considered the largest cliff side residence that has ever been discovered in China.

It is really amazing that 147 man-made hollowed stone rooms are found along the 10 meter-wide cliff, covering an area of reaching 100,000 square meters. The size of the rooms are not uniform and come in different shapes. Amongst them all, the largest one is a two-story room with side rooms attached. Some researchers believe that it would be the meeting hall for the owners of this huge cliff side residence. Moreover, all these stone residences are fully equipped with doors, windows, stone beds, stone shelves and cooking areas.

After a few years of development, Guyaju Scenic Area is now a modern tourist attraction which is able to provide multiple services such as residences, restaurant, travel and entertainment for each and every visitor. With the convenience of tourists in mind, walkways with safety handrails have been made as well as barrier-free access for handicapped visitors. Guyaju is now ready to receive more and more tourists each day.

Featured Attractions: The origin of Guyaju is still a mystery even to this day. No one knows who, how and when it was built. However, its unique construction techniques have become one of the most significant sources of evidence for mythical achievements in ancient architecture. The most unique point of these 147 stone residences is the multiple-story structures without any usage of pillars. Moreover, there are no staircases or wooden structures but there are many layers of floors that inter-connected with one another.

The Yunmeng Mountain National Forest Park is located in the northwestern part of Miyun District, and the park gate is at the 81.5-kilometer point of the Jingfeng (Beijing-Fengning) highway. Yunmeng Mountain is one of the most well-known, picturesque mountains in suburban Beijing, and the topography of the forest park is extremely unique. In the park, the mountains are high and towering, the valleys and ravines are steep and deep, the peaks and stones are weirdly shaped, there are many waterfalls and gushing springs, the clouds and mist are beautiful and mysterious, and forests, flowers and grasses are vibrant and blanketing the area. All these form a picturesque natural scenery features, lend the mountain its nickname the “small Huang Mountain of Beijing.”

Yunmeng Mountain National Forest Park occupies a total area of 2,208 hectares and the elevation of its main peak is 1,414 meters. The forest park has rich scenic resources, thick forests and plenty of animal and plant varieties, including 711 species of green plants. From April to October, the bushes and flowers are in full blossom, making for a vibrant and beautiful picture. According to weather statistics, the temperatures in Yunmeng Mountain are generally 6-7 degrees Celsius lower than that on the plains, and the content of negative ion oxygen in the air is 6-12 times greater than that of the cities The air humidity and breeze are also both favorable. The national forest park is the first choice for escaping from the summer heat and for carrying out forest ecological tourism.

In the Yunmeng Mountain National Forest Park, there is a legend that Sun Bin and Pang Juan kowtowed to Guiguzi to become his martial arts disciples, and this legend is evidenced by the ruins of the Temple of Sun Bin at the main peak of Yunmeng Mountain. These add greatly to the atmosphere of mystery that permeates Yunmeng Mountain. The strange peaks, grotesque rocks, ponds and waterfalls, seas of clouds, forests and ancient ruins all form otherworldly, vivid landscapes. Yunmeng Mountain integrates the functions of sightseeing and tourism, letting one escape from the summer heat and vacation, all while attaining fitness and mentally recuperating. The site also allows for scientific exploration, expeditions, all at the same time. Likewise, it is a perfect place for children from elementary schools, middle school, and higher levels of education, alike, to conduct field studies on wild animals and plants, and to gather specimens.

Featured Attractions: It is a sequestered place with rummy hills, characterized as being majestic, steep, fantastic, secluded and open. The experts conferred “Mt. Huangshan’s miniature” after their on-the-spot investigation. The most striking characteristic which make the site superior to Mt. Huangshan is its misty clouds and exuberant forests. The wonder of “The Three Seas” (the sea of forests, clouds and flowers) is rare in Beijing. Yunmeng Mountain has 6 scenic features: strange peaks, grotesque rocks, clouds, forest, waterfall, ancient sites, forming a constantly changing vista. There are flower viewing activities in April and May, Cloud Tours in July and August, and Fruits Harvests in September and October.

Yunfeng Mountain Scenic Area is located on the northern bank of the Miyun Reservoir in Bulaotun Township in Beijing’s Miyun District. It is within the embrace of two great landmarks – the Simatai portion of the Great Wall to the east and Yunmengshan National Forest Park to the west. Yunfeng Mountain has a pleasant climate all year-round, and the average temperature is 7-9 degrees Celsius below that of the city. In the summer, the climate is cool and mild, making the mountain a popular vacation destination.

The mountain's unusual elevation features a large variety of oddly shaped stones. Lush grass and trees cover Yunfeng hill during virtually all year round. Its peak is steep and wondrous, jutting directly upwards into the sky. At the top of the mountain, Miyun Reservoir is in clear view shining like a bright pearl. Other compelling sights in the scenic area include Chaosheng Temple, the Moya Stone Inscriptions, and the Cave of Guanyin (also Kwan-yin, the East Asian bodhisattva). The ancient temple was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is situated in the midst of a forest and makes for a harmonious scene – a rarity in the bustling Beijing. Behind the temple lies the oldest and largest Moya Stone Inscriptions in Beijing, the text of which refer to the characters carved on the natural rocks. The imposing inscriptions are well preserved, reflecting the great value of the art of calligraphy and the appreciation of cultural relics. Guanyin Cave is a natural granite cave, 12 meters deep, six meters wide, and seven meters high. In the middle of the cave sits the Guanyin statue, accompanied by two smaller statues of fairies. Guanyin is an infinitely merciful Bodhisattva in Chinese culture and is believed to help people escape the sufferings of this world.

Featured Attractions: Chaosheng Nunnery (Exceeding Wonder Nunnery) is a must-see spot for visitors, as it embodies the spirit of Yunfeng Mountain. As one of the most well-known ancient nunneries in Beijing, Chaosheng Nunnery was first built in the Tang Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago. Later, it was rebuilt during the Jin, Ming and Qing Dynasties. However, the majority of the construction was demolished by the Japanese during their invasion into China in 1943.

Qingliang Valley, also referred to by its literal name "Cool Valley", is a scenic area in Miyun District on the outskirts of Beijing. It is located in the Yunmeng Mountains and features a picturesque natural landscape. It also includes the Waterfall Cave, with the ever-flowing Baishui River passing in front of it. Its unique location and environment creates a favorable climate, as temperatures in the nearby Qingliang Valley are usually 5-6 degrees Celsius lower than in the city.

The waterfalls and ponds are the essence of the valley. In wet or dry seasons, the falls are always abundant in water and the ponds are crystal clear throughout the year. A four-km course is dotted with five waterfalls and 13 ponds, varied in size and shape. The famous Waterfall Cave is 230 meters deep, with the waterfall cascades beside it concealing the entrance of the cave like a colossal water curtain. The cave itself is at an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.

Visitors can select tourist activities to enjoy at the "travel supermarket" and pay at the "cash register" at the exit gate when leaving; as its motto goes, "enjoy first and pay later." Visitors can also choose activities such as bamboo rafting, boating and water fighting. In addition, about 2,000 kg of fish have been released into the water for fishing and general appreciation. Anyone who catches a fish can keep it free of charge. Qingliang Valley is also fully equipped with dining and lodging facilities and is specially known for its local rural cuisine.

Featured Attractions: The scenic area is characterized by various waterfalls and pools. Whether on rainy days, or during dry seasons, the magnificent waterfalls offer you unusual discoveries. About 5 kilometers from the entrance of the valley lies the imposing Pearl Waterfall. Water rushes down from a high cliff and resembles a splendid curtain of pearls. A glimpse into the distinctive cave behind the Pearl Waterfall will impress you deeply.

Shouyun Iron Ore Park belongs to the Shouyun Iron Ore Co., LTD, 67 kilometers outside the capital city. It was established in 2005 and covers an area of 3.62 km2. So far, it is an unusual, national mining tourist theme park and is also one of the most important industrial tourism attractions east of Miyun District.

Shouyun Iron Ore Park is the first park in China to synergize iron ore mining and theme tourism. The park has successfully built four major theme sightseeing areas: The Iron Ore Museum, the open pit mines, granite geological relics, the tailings dam and another iron themed sightseeing area along with a live CS field. One can also discover the iron clad men training at a camp and several other themed recreational experiences within this district. The park also offers a mini golf course, a pottery museum, an archery pavilion, KTV and other themed-based forms of entertainment. Shouyun Iron Ore Park is an "AAA scenic spot" with fresh air, a pleasant environment and variety plants; it is an ideal place for exploring scientific knowledge, sightseeing, entertainment and for planning business affairs within the greater conference rooms.

Featured Attractions: The park has successfully built four major theme sightseeing districts: The Iron Ore Museum, the open pit mines, the granite geological relics, the tailings dam and the other themed iron sightseeing district as well as a live CS field. The park also offers a mini golf course, a pottery museum, an archery pavilion, KTV and other themed-based forms of entertainment.

Located in Huaibei Town of Huairou District, Jiugukou Natural Scenic Spot is adjacent to Qinglong Gorge and eighty kilometers from Beijing. The scenic spot covers an area of more than 700 hectares with forest coverage of over 85%.

According to historical records, it was strategically important in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and guarded by massive forces. In addition, the beacon tower named "Jiabian Building" is an elaborate work in terms of the history of the Great Wall’s history, detailed records of which are to be found at Badaling Museum. The Jiugukou Natural Scenic Spot nestles under a mountain and near a river with the Great Wall nearby. You will have a barbecue, fish and do some grass skiing after pitching your tent. You will escape from the noise of the city and have the sweetest sleep with the stars and the moon up above you at night and numerous birds as an alarming clock in the morning. All of this is in within an accessible distance from the capital.

Eighteen Ponds lies within the borders of Anjiazhuang of Wangping Town in Mentougou District, and features a deep valley, unique stones, special streams and uncommon flowers as one of the rare natural scenic spots of Northern China.

Features:

The group of pools is backed by the Qingshuijian which is one of the top 4 peaks of Beijing. There are roaring streams stretching along peaks, water falls down from each cliff, ravines form pools in the valley, contributing to the famous natural landscape of "three-waterfalls, six-scenes and Eighteen Ponds" which is distinct across the seasons. While, another kind of scenery is revealed at the mouth of the valley: two door-like mountains overlooking the valley, zigzagging peaks, peculiar cliffs and stones, flying spring waters hitting against cliffs. There is also a great amount of birds, animals and flowers.

Shibatan (Eighteen Ponds) is scattered along the Yongding River, to the south of 109 National Highway. This natural landscape is only about 50 km away from the center of Beijing and is easy to reach with convenient transportation and clear road signs.

Two traditional activities at the ponds are very popular and attract many tourists each year. One is “Mulberry Picking Festival” and the other is the “Red leaves Scenery Festival”. The “Mulberry Picking Festival” takes place every June and July and tourists can taste mulberries whilst watching the birds and fish. The “Red leaves Scenery Festival” begins on September 15 and lasts till the end of November. Tourists can enjoy the wonderful and splendid view of the red autumn leaves.