Miaofengshan Scenic Area is more than 50 kilometers away from the city center and covers 20 square meters. Miaofengshan Scenic Area is famous for its ancient temples, strangely-shaped pines and rocks. Miaofengshan is a part of Taihang Mountain and consists of igneous rock.

Features: Visitors can appreciate different sightseeing here in Miaofengshan during different seasons. You can enjoy the peach flowers in spring, roses in summer, maple in autumn and snow in winter. The highlight or the most valuable asset of Miao Feng Shan is the Miao Feng Shan Goddess Temple, or locally referred to as Niang Niang Miao (娘娘庙). The Goddess Temple at Miao Feng Shan is dedicated to Bixia Yuanjun (碧霞元君), also known as the “Heavenly Jade Maiden” (天仙玉女) or the “Empress of Mount Tai” (泰山娘娘). According to one of the legends, she is the daughter of the Emperor Lord of Mount Tai. Statues of Bixia Yuanjun often depict her holding a tablet with the Big Dipper as a symbol of her authority. Bixia Yuanjun has given Mt. Miao Feng Shan a reputation in the entire China. The legend has it that the pilgrims come to have their petitions before their goddess, the lame can be made to walk, the ill can be cured, prosperity can be brought to merchants, and longed for children can be given. For every year from the first to fifteenth of the “fourth month” of the Chinese lunar calendar, there is a pilgrimage. During these 15 days, a great number of pilgrims flock to the shrine in the temple. There is a direct tar-road leading to the temple. Most of the pilgrims hike along the ancient pilgrimage trail to the Miao Feng Shan Goddess Temple. Some sources say that the daily pilgrimage volume reaches over five hundred thousand. The pilgrimage at Miao Feng Shan can be dated back to 1629 in the late Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The Miao Feng Shan Temple was built in Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368) when the Yuan built Beijing. The pilgrimage was halted both during the Anti-Japanese War (1937 – 1945) and Cultural Revolution (1966 – 1976). The pilgrims are not just from Beijing, they also come from Tianjin, Shanghai and other parts of China. Simultaneously due to mountain Xiongjun, Wufeng, Myoko formations, it is also known as a wonderful peak. Verdant forests, mountains, beautiful scenery, ancient multi temples, sunrise, sunset, rime, Hill Miaofengshan scenic area is located in the territory of more than 50 kilometers from the city center, an area of 20 square kilometers. The scenic spot is famous for its ancient temples, pines, and rocks. The Miaofengshan Taihang Mountains, igneous rock structure, the main peak of 1,291 meters above sea level, and the mountain Qiaoba Elegant flowers can be found here. Miaofengshan scenic area is located in the territory of more than 50 kilometers from the city center, an area of 20 square kilometers, the scenic spot is famous for its ancient temples, pines, rocks.

Take Bus No. 336, 326 at subway station Pingguoyuan to Hetan station and make a transfer for a middle bus to Miaofengshan.

Beijing Qinglonghu Park (北京青龙湖公园 Beijing Green Dragon Park) which is located about 20 kilometers from Beijing, is easily reached via both public and private transportation. The park has been included in the huge area of Qinglonghu (Green Dragon Lake) into the scenic area and is well known with the clearest water around Beijing. Fresh air, lush greenery, picturesque scenery as well as tall mountains have made up the beautiful images of the park. It was awarded the “Beijing First Class Park” in 2002.

Features: The bathing beach is a European style open air bathing area and the pool is designed in a three-level shape and separated into the shallow, middle and deep pools. Thus, the water automatically flows from up to down and forms a three-level flow of streams. In addition, there are many water amusement activities available here such as parachuting, water scooter, self-driving boats and etc. Water sports are not everything that Beijing Qinglonghu Park can offer. There is an orchard which made up by over 30 species of trees and more than 70 types of fruits. From June to November especially during the fruit ripping season, fruit picking activity will be conducted here and all tourists are welcome to enjoy the happiness of farming. Moreover, there are also unique country villas available for tourists who wish to stay overnight here. The restaurant is able to accommodate 300 persons at a time. BBQ, fireworks, and camping are some favorite activities that take place when night falls. The whole area of the park is very large and is especially very suitable for group activities. Since its opening, the park has managed to successfully organize Dragon Boat competitions, Group Sports, Kite Contests as well as some unique contests within this park.

Take bus No. 321, 983, 339, 458, 459 at Liuliqiao station to Nangong and then make a transfer to No. 978 to Qinglonghu Park.

The Sculpture Garden of the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese War is located in Wanping City of Fengtai District and covers an area of 200,000 square meters. The garden consists of the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese War Monument, sculpture area, central square and ancient wall of Wanping City. It is a combination of a set of historical, cultural, artistic and patriotic education tourist area.

Features: The sunken central square is made of granite bricks with beautiful patterns, and the granite bricks were brought here from the main battlefield of the China Anti-Japanese War. The Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War Monument is 15 meters high, 8 meters wide and 6.6 meters thick. The monument is made of granite bricks and bronze sculpture of wreckage of invaders’ weapons, symbolizing the victory of justice. The sculpture area covers 22,500 square meters, where it is placed in thirty-eight cylindrical bronze sculptures. Each of the sculptures has a diameter of 2 meters, a height of 4.3 meters and a weight of 6 tons. The sculptures show Chinese people's indomitable national spirit and dauntless heroism. The ancient wall of Wanping City has a history of over 360 years. At the top of the wall, tourists can get a panoramic view of the Marco Polo Bridge and the sculpture garden. The War Sculpture Garden holds various education and memorial activities every year, including the famous activities of National Defense Education Day and Lugou Culture.

Take Bus No. 309, 310, 339, 642, 715, 718, 964, 971.

Beijing Longhui Grape Wine Museum is the first grape wine museum and is located at the hundred-year-old underground cellar of the Longhui Company. Beijing Longhui Grape Wine Museum is the only grape wine museum that explains the development and culture of grape wine of Beijing. It opened to the public in June of 2008.

Features: Beijing Longhui Grape Wine Museum was built based on the architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasty and it consists of four parts: the above-ground exhibition hall, underground cellar, the dining hall with grape wine history and the international bar. There are: the origin hall, the exhibition hall of grape wine work crafts, the company development hall, the product hall, and movie and TV room on the ground. There, people can have a clear understanding of the grape wine culture and have the chance to experience the charm of grape wine. Underground, people can view the cellar, wine pond and the long corridor for stocking wine of Longhui. There is a VIP club provided for the VIP members of Longhui and amateurs of grape wine in the cellar. Opposite to the museum, there is a restaurant with its theme being grape wine culture. It is a good place for people to enjoy the exquisite grape wine of Longhui, have western food and appreciate grape wine culture.

Take Bus No. 109, 106, 355, 977, 746, or 336 to Tiancun Station.

Baiwang Mountain Forest Park is located three kilometers north of the Summer Palace and Baiwang Mountain Forest Park and is said to be the nearest one to Beijing.

With more than 95% of vegetation coverage, it is often regarded as the oxygen source of Beijing. The highest peak there is 210 meters above sea level. It offers an excellent view of enchanting red leaves in the autumn, when the mountain is beautifully decorated with splendid red foliage.

Features: There are many steles with themes of protecting nature and promoting a green environment inside the gate of the park. Some pavilions and corridors have been naturally formed by the stele forest, itself! This forest of steles collects inscriptions, poems, verses, paintings and calligraphy by country leaders, celebrities as well as painters and calligraphy artists as part of a "greenification campaign." A memorial hall in the park tells the story of over 200 revolutionary martyrs and has a collection of precious photos and letters of those forerunners therein. Additionally, there are other places of historical interest, such as the Sh'e Temple, a temple built in dedication to an outstanding heroine from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The park also offers tourists various activities to partake in, like rock-climbing, hiking, and a music bar on the top of the mountain. Twelve different rock-climbing routes, ranging from easy to difficult, provide for the enjoyment of those who love the sport.

Take Bus Te 6 at Beijing West Railway Station directly to Baiwang Mountain; take Te 4 at Qianmen directly to Baiwang Mountain; take Bus No. 716, 718, yuntong 112, 903, 933, 968, 330 to Heishanhukou North or Baiwang Mountain.

Located on the northwest bank of Chaoyang Park, Solana is a European-style shopping center blessed with golden sunshine, a tranquil lake, elegant architecture and romantic pathways. But even if you don't feel like shopping, this place is quite worthwhile to go to for a taste of exotic flavors and some refreshing natural scenery.

Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park combines the profound commercial styles and the excellent environment and displays its charm among the vast lake in Chaoyang Park and the clear water of the Liangma River. Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park has the exquisite waterscape, the beautiful air garden and the Solana Brand Forest, which are the rare landscapes among the concrete buildings in cities. The Park has 19 two- to three-story European-style buildings with a rich exotic atmosphere and is divided into various areas such as Meridian Department Store, Solana Mall, Vivid Center, Brand Street, Dinning Street, Landmark Wharf Bar Street and Central Plaza, covering more than 1,000 famous brands, more than 600 famous retail stores, more than 30 restaurants, more than 20 waterfront bars, the Saga Cinema, All-Star Skating club and large KTV complexes with private rooms. Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park is popular, fresh and full of pleasures. People can find the right lifestyle suiting them here. It is also very popular with the entire household, which can enjoy their pleasant time together here. Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park is a place to experience a different type of enjoyment in Beijing.

Take Bus No. 419, 621, 682 to Zaoyinglu north and walk for 79 meters.

Taikoo Li Sanlitun is a budding Omotesando cum Roppongi — a fashion and entertainment centre reminiscent of Tokyo. It boasts cool cafes, bars and clubs, as well as a host of shops with all those brand names we clamor for. Uniqlo, Apple, Nike, Lacoste, Benetton — they're all here. Taikoo Li Sanlitun is constantly being expanded and improved upon. In fact, Taikoo Li Sanlitun, is even home to the largest Adidas store in the world.

After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, the government wanted to move the diplomatic district outside the inner city. This area was picked as the spot and named Sanlitun, which translates as 1.5 kilometers away from Dongzhimen Gate. The area began to blossom once the economic reforms of the late 1970s and early 1980s kicked in. Expat bars opened, and later on the Chinese would also venture into them to hobnob with foreigners. As the years passed more and more bars, restaurants and hotels sprang up on both sides of Gongti Bei Lu, and well-known lanes such as Nan Jie were demolished to make way for new buildings.

Features: Taikoo Li Sanlitun (formerly Sanlitun Village) opened in the summer of 2008, just in time for the Beijing Olympic Games. Today, the shopping mall is a magnet for kids and teens as well as adults. There are numerous boutiques and restaurants to explore, as well as a multiplex cinema where you can enjoy the latest movies.

In the basement, there is a supermarket in which you will more than likely find that breakfast cereal or jar of Vegemite you are missing from home, while on the upper levels of the mall you can find a wide selection of restaurants. If you fancy a Japanese feast, then opt for Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar. It's a great place for lunch or dinner. Hatsune is another Japanese restaurant worth checking out while those more interested in a fusion of eastern and western cuisines might like to venture into Element Fresh. This restaurant offers great salads, fresh juices and various reasonable meal deals. Union Bar & Grille is a popular steakhouse, and those yearning for Chinese food are spoilt for choice. Chaodian comes highly recommended for its dim sum and Hong Kong delicacies, while Karaiya Spice House serves up Hunan cuisine in an intimate environment. Meanwhile, if it's McDonald's you're craving, you'll find a branch here. Those with a sweet tooth have not been overlooked either – you guys might want to check out the great crepes and lunch sets at Jaya Cafe or indulge in some fruity puddings at the Asian dessert shop Mango. Beyond this, you can find Italian, Spanish, French and other delicious cuisines in restaurants that suit all budgets.

Sanlitun has various sides to its personality, but predominantly it boasts two faces – one for daytime and another for night owls. During the day, this is the place to come to and spend, spend and spend, or at the very least do some big-time window shopping. There are some really cool shops here. One of my favorites is Crossover Center, where you can buy the wildest furniture and art for your home. Even if you don't have your own house or flat, or the disposable income to shell out thousands of yuan on a giant-size statue of a pig to hang from your ceiling, it is at least worth browsing around this shop to view the curios on display. I just adore the fiberglass pig that stands on the staircase. It bites into a pearl necklace while injecting a hypodermic needle into a rather huge breast, and is a piece of art I would love to have in my living room.

At the back of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, heading West towards the Poly Theatre, you can find more interesting stores and places to eat. Do check out April Gourmet, situated in the Just Make Building, Xingfuzhongjie. This is a supermarket geared towards expats where you can find all sorts of treats. There is a deli selling everything from Camembert and Feta cheese to salami, hummus and fresh salads. You will find a range of breads and shelf after shelf of all sorts of condiments and specialties that you probably miss from home. April Gourmet is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight. If you are looking for Garam Masala, papadums or some turmeric, then do check out the small grocery store Qi Yuan Mart on Sanlitun 41. It specializes in Indian ingredients.

Also, behind Taikoo Li Sanlitun you will find Comme des Garcon, Giorgio Armani and other boutiques in the throes of being completed. Taikoo Li Sanlitun is an ongoing project. But 3.3 Shopping Mall has been open for business for a while now. Here in the basement you can find a videogame arcade as well as a great massage center where you can enjoy foot massages, full body massages and a range of other relaxation treatments. On other floors there are numerous boutiques selling trendy clothing for both men and women, and on the topmost floor you can even find a couple of tailors who will measure you up and make a suit or dress to suit your own personal taste. Nearby 3.3 Shopping Mall you can find nook-and-cranny shops and roadside stalls that cut keys and do shoe repairs, as well as sell English-language books and DVDs of both Chinese and foreign films. Those who are in the market for "olde worlde" Chinese furniture and ornaments should pop into Flame Tree at 7 Gongti Bei Lu. Here, you will find some gorgeous reproductions of screens, wooden chests and traditional-looking Chinese cabinets as well as a case full of jewelry. If you turn down the side street at Flame Tree, you will see the Xinjiang Muslim Restaurant, a place that has also been highly recommended to me. With its mosque-like dome and front yard, the restaurant looks like a fun place to dine, and the aromas that drift from here in the evening are truly mouthwatering.

Take Bus No. 113, 118, 701 to Sanlitun Station.

Honglingjin Park is a national AAA scenic spot that lies at the junction of East 4th Ring Road and Chaoyang North Road, to the northeast of Honglingjin Bridge, about 10 kilometers from the center of the city. It is the only theme park for children named Red Necktie in the country. It is a place for patriotism and popular science education for teenagers with distinctive characteristics.

Built in 1958, it now covers an area of 389 km, of which 160 km is covered by water, and it has a 96% greenery coverage rate. The lawn surrounding the clear lake is dotted with trees and flowers.

Features: Major attractions include a theme square named the Song of the Red Necktie, Ginkgo Square, a children’s playground, the Practical Road-Safety Education Base, and several groups of artistic sculptures.

Every year the park holds a scientific garden party on June 1st and a cultural festival for twins in Beijing on October 1st. The Song of the Red Necktie-themed square is a 3,000-square-meter square that lies in the west of the south gate of the park. At its north end stands a themed sculpture named the Song of the Red Necktie, which consists of five radial steel columns topped by a glittering golden torch with a semicircle relief sculpture as the backdrop.

On both sides of the square stand the sculptures of young revolutionary martyrs such as Lei Feng, Liu Hulan, Liu Wenxue, and Little Carrot, all of whom are surrounded by flowers and green lawns. The square has a solemn atmosphere. Ginkgo Square is a 5,000 square meter square that lies behind the south gate. It is the most popular spot in the park with 27 large ginkgo trees. The square is paved with terrazzo. On its east side is a 1,920-square-meter tiered flower bed that runs 240 meters along the eastern bank of the lake.

The Practical Road-Safety Education Base for Minors is a location mainly consisting of a central square, a car ground, a small inner ring road, and an outer ring road. Here, learning and playing are blended. Children learn about traffic laws and regulations by driving electric cars on a simulated highway. The children’s playground is divided into two sections: one in the north and the other in the south, which cover a total area of 6.3 km. In the north park there are fruit-worm gliding cars, wave cars, battery cars, a merry-go-round, and dodg'em games.

In the south park there is an artificial sandlot and there are inflated toys and indoor entertainment facilities. The amusement facilities are available all year round.

Finally, the Steps in the Sun are 18 groups of artistic sculptures scattered in the park. They blend very well with their surroundings, offering knowledge, entertainment, and aesthetic education for children and teenagers.

Take Bus No. 611, 721, 808, 858, 120zhi, 306 to Honglingjin Park station; take the subway to Dawanglu station and have a transfer to bus 721; take the subway to Guomao station and have a transfer to bus 808 to Honglingjin Park station.

Tuanjiehu Park (Tuanjie Lake Park) is located in Chaoyang District. The park covers an area of 277 acres and 67 acres of the lake. In 1958, Tuanjiehu Park was built following the Jiangnan style residential gardens. The name "Tuanjie" means "united", which represents the feat people made with their efforts together to build this park.

Features: Water surrounds Tuanjiehu Park and the three bridges with different sculptures are created to reach the island in the center of the park. There is a Wanxiayiwan Pavilion on the island and you can also see wall paintings and carved stones landscapes. At the east gate of Tuanjiehu Park, you can see the stone landscaping. North of the stone landscaping, there is an entertainment facility for children, such as battery-powered cars and small trains etc. At the west gate of Tuanjiehu Park, there is Shuilianshanshi. Tuanjiehu mainly adopts the Jiangnan residential style. All the pavilions and some other architecture are comprised of gray tiles and white walls. The doors and windows are made nanmu-colored, which show the feature of simplicity and elegancy. The bridges and running waters, hills and rivers and various flowers are the main landscapes in Tuanjiehun Park, which display the beauty of nature.

Take Bus No. 115 (electric bus), 718, 825 to Tuanjiehu station; take Bus No. 113, 405, 402, 725, 730, 757, 750, 801, yuntong 107, te 3, te 8 to baijiazhuang station.

Beijing Ritan Park (北京日坛公园) is on Ritan Road North in Chaoyang District, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from the center of the city.

As one of the five famous altars in Beijing, Ritan Park, built in 1530, was the venue where the emperor offered sacrifice to the sun during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911). Ancient buildings in Ritan Park were devastated before 1949. In 1951, the Beijing government began the reconstruction of the relics in the park; and in 1956, Ritan Park was open to the public with an extended area of 206,200 sq meters (246,613 sq yards).

In recent years, new scenic areas are accessible to visitors. An amusement park has been built for children; anglers can have a great time in the fishing zone; music festivals, the flower shows in the spring, the adoption and caring for the ancient trees and other various activities attract lots of people.

Features: At first, the west-facing altar in Beijing Ritan Park was a raised rectangular white stone dais. Its surface was red glazed, symbolizing the sun. In the Qing Dynasty, the altar was rebuilt in brick, with nine-stair steps in the east, west, north, and south, each about 16.7 meters (18.3 yards) long, 16.7 meters wide and 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. The altar we see today in Ritan Park was reconstructed in 1985 in accordance with its form in the Qing Dynasty. Low walls covered with green glazed tiles surround the altar, measuring about 255 meters (279 yards) around and forming a square of about 4,667 sq meters (5,582 sq yards). The wall has six white stone gates on all four sides.

Three gates sit in the west; outside these gates, there are big iron stoves which were used to burn the oblations. The other three sides respectively have one gate. By the northwest of the square a palace called Jufu was built, which originally stands in the south and in 1742 in the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Qianlong made it change its place. The Jufu Palace was a rectangular courtyard. Three main halls face the south and in the east and west sides of the palace separately stand the three other halls. There, the emperor could relax and change his clothes. Shen Ku (Holy Storehouse) and Shen Chu (Holy Kitchen) are located outside the north white stone gate. The west-facing Shen Ku is the place where the enshrined god worship tablets were stored, while the south-facing Shen Chu is where the oblations were made and deposited. Zaisheng Pavilion by the north of Shen Ku and Shen Chu is where animal sacrifices were slaughtered. In the Ritan Park, there are 44 ancient trees, one of which is a 1,100-year-old cypress tree. Its twisting, encircling and upward-pointing branches are just like nine black dragons, so it is named "Nine Dragon Cypress (Jiulong Cypress)". Yuxin Garden Yuxin Garden takes an area of 3,000 sq meters. The scenery is enchanting: walking along the winding path in the garden you can see a sycamore one meter (1.1 yards) in girth. The thick-branched and wide-spreading tree is like a beach umbrella, providing welcome shade for summer visitors.

Southwest Scenic Section: The forest-clad mountain and the beautiful lake complete the scene. The lake covers an area of about 4,700 sq meters (5,621 sq yards), and it sparkles in the sunlight. Ancient-style pavilions, painted stone and boats wait by the side of the lake. Qinghui Pavilion Qinghui Pavilion is located in the southeast side of Ritan Park. You can enjoy the beautiful sunrise here.