Live Your Best Lives
At the end of June, the midsummer heat had officially taken over the entire city of Beijing. Due to the impact of the epidemic, I couldn’t go to the beach to escape the heat, so I thought of the cool Yanqing, known as the "Summer Capital", and happened to come across this "Self-Travel and Free Car Theme B&B"! The Longqing Gorge is 800 meters away from the B&B, and the forest wetland is a 3-minute walk away. Next to it is an amusement park, the Pingbei Heroes Memorial Hall, and a farmer's picking garden. On the way back to Beijing, we also visited Yudu Mountain and Guyaju. This 2-day and 1-night summer vacation plan is so wonderful~
01 Small Forest Wetland: Walk along the Green Stream and Take Photos
A 5-minute walk from the B&B is an open forest wetland. Streams and pools abound here, and you can find small snails clinging to a stone just by picking it up from the water. Looking up, you'll see trees, tall and short, that have grown for ages, now so thick they're almost impossible for one person to hug! Countless wild apricots and grapes grow by the roadside, and their green fruits are trying hard to grow...
The sunlight is filtered through the branches, and dots of it fall on the pedestrians, the gurgling water, and the wild flowers by the roadside. Whether walking, picking flowers, playing in the water, or having a picnic, every shot is a forest-themed blockbuster!
02 Longqing Gorge: Emerald Mountains and Waters, Perfect for Summer Vacation
Only 800 meters north of the B&B, a 10-minute walk, is the Longqing Gorge Scenic Area, known for its "mountains in the water and caves in the mountains"! Shortly after entering the scenic area, you can see a giant dragon coiling on the mountain wall. From the dragon's mouth is an elevator for tourists to go up. Once you enter Longqing Gorge, a boat tour is a must. The emerald-blue lake, the winding mountain scenery, and the echoing waves between the boat and the mountain walls are truly breathtaking. 
In addition to boat rides, the scenic area also offers cable cars, bungee jumping, and slides, all of which travel through the green mountains and clear waters, allowing you to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of Yanqing! On the way back, you will pass by the Baihua Cave, which was carved out of the mountain. Because it is a cave carved out of the mountain, the cave always emits cool mountain air, which instantly relieves the heat in your body!
03 Pingbei Anti-Japanese War Memorial: Remembering the Revolution and Paying Tribute to the Martyrs
A 5-minute walk south of the B&B, instead of enjoying the beautiful scenery, is the Pingbei Anti-Japanese War Memorial, a solemn and dignified red education base from my childhood. Inside the park, a white marble stele is inlaid with a natural granite rifle bayonet shape, which symbolizes the defense of Pingbei. The towering and solemn monument stands atop the park's highest point, inspiring awe. Nearly 200 artifacts, including weapons and daily necessities used during the war, are displayed in the indoor exhibition hall, recreating the battle scenes. Free Eighth Route Army uniforms are available at Ziyou Zizai B&B, allowing you to embark on a solemn journey through the revolutionary era.
The road outside the B&B is also very beautiful for taking pictures. There are dense locust trees on both sides, and there are relatively few pedestrians and vehicles on the road, making it a suitable place for taking photos and checking in. There are also farm picking gardens and home-raised poultry and livestock on both sides. The villagers grow apricots, plums, apples and some common vegetables, which can be picked or purchased.
04 Guichuan Carnival: Over 30 Rides to Satisfy the Childlike Innocents of Adults
From the B&B terrace, you can overlook Longqing Gorge to the left, and the Guichuan Carnival is just around the corner to the right! From the luxurious double-decker carousel, bungee jumping machine, to the pirate ship... there are over 30 different rides that even adults will enjoy! On our way back, we drove to visit Yudu Mountain and Guyaju. Yudu Mountain, nestled deep in the mountains at the foot of Haituo Mountain and upstream of Longqing Gorge, is a little-known, untouched area in Beijing. It's a pristine, green haven preserved by nature, perfect for fishing and camping. The Ancient Cliff Dwellings, a series of cave dwellings carved into the steep rock faces by ancient people, are among the largest ancient cave settlements in China. Their stunning presence often makes us wonder at the wisdom and diligence of our ancestors, who were able to create structures like the Great Wall, cliff dwellings, and caves. Yanqing also boasts another popular photo-op destination: the World Horticultural Exposition. Even after its grand opening in 2019, it remains a popular check-in spot! The 360-degree, boundless sea of flowers in the Horticultural Town is in full bloom. The Yongning Pavilion and Botanical Garden are also welcoming visitors. The CITIC Bookstore on the second floor of the Botanical Garden boasts over 2,000 nature books and a wealth of interesting cultural and creative products, making it a must-see. The Yongning Pavilion can be seen from the terrace. You can also take a scenic bus to the Gui River for a stroll. Due to time constraints, we weren't able to fully explore the Expo as it's so huge. If we had more time, we could have visited Yongning Ancient Town and Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park, both of which are only half an hour away.
After talking about the surrounding areas, let's return to the center of these attractions, which is also the B&B we stayed in - the Ziyou Zizai Car Theme B&B! Surrounded by the Guishui River, it truly qualifies as a refreshingly cool "mountain and water homestay." The reception staff explained that the owner of this B&B has been passionate about cars for 20 years. His love of driving and his pursuit of freedom led him to create a B&B incorporating automotive elements, which have become a unique symbol of his homestay. As the car slowly pulls into the courtyard, the container-style main building first catches the eye. The steam locomotive-shaped gatehouse instantly transports you back in time. Tire flower beds and car parts adorned the path, and the courtyard itself is truly breathtaking: a 6.2-meter-long copper tire that set a Guinness World Record!
The courtyard has 4 double rooms, 1 loft tatami room, and a loft leisure sharing space. The most distinctive room is the themed round bed room. The 2m diameter round bed is half-hidden by a screen and plum blossoms. A large round bathtub is next to it. The lotus leaves on the ground are also designed with concave and convex shapes to strive for realism, giving a sense of romance of returning home from stepping on lotus flowers... The other three double rooms, ranging from flowing curtains to formal elegance, each feature a 1.8-meter bed, each accommodating two adults and one child. The loft features a tatami mat, allowing for flexible use of the two beds, which can be separated or joined.
Gatherings often involve food, and the homestay's car-themed restaurant features a public dining room on the first floor that can accommodate 100 people and four private rooms. The second floor offers a larger rooftop terrace, perfect for barbecues and games. As the saying goes, "Five flavors are harmonized with salt first, and healthy steaming of five grains is the key." The highlight of Ziyou Zizai Cuisine is undoubtedly the "Watt Healthy Steamer Banquet"! Two super-large steamers can prepare a special healthy steamed banquet for 100 people at once. I happened to arrive just in time for a team-building event, so I got to see this luxurious feast! We ordered our meals individually and enjoyed fusion dishes that combined local cooking techniques. The hand-pressed Longqingxia spring water tofu is fresh and plump; the wonderful double-steamed dish with shredded papaya and potato is salty and fragrant; the gear meat pie leaves a lingering fragrance; there are also Huotang lamb squares, Yipintashi spicy shrimp balls, and pheasant stewed with wild mushrooms... Not only are the delicacies beautiful and tasty, but the utensils are also dazzling. There's the fairy-like Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, a cool truck, and a long plate with an exquisite license plate... Every dish served draws a crowd of people's amazement.
The buffet breakfast in the morning has a full range of options, from whole grains to fruits, from milk and rice porridge to steamed buns and side dishes, making the day start beautifully from the beginning~
Our two-day, one-night get-together concluded just like that. Although we couldn't leave Beijing, the scenery outside the capital was truly captivating! The kids hadn't been to school in ages, so it was rare for them to see their peers and get back to nature. They had a blast! I'd love to rent a small courtyard for a couple of days with the whole family sometime soon!
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