A Summer Escape in the Suburbs of Beijing: A Journey into Hayao Miyazaki's Summer!

Number of days：3 days
With whom: couple

It’s scorching hot in the summer, and I can’t help but want to escape the heat, so I dragged Brother Chen to plan this 3-day, 2-night relaxing trip. We drove around Beijing, looking for summer resorts in the suburbs of Beijing, and escaped the city to discover more of the beauty of summer!

This time, our destination is Yanqing, a cozy and relaxing summer resort outside Beijing. You can see lush green meadows, forests, and streams without having to go to Xinjiang. Choose a beautiful weekend road trip and experience a healing summer like that of Hayao Miyazaki~

Route: Beijing City – Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park – Yudu Mountain Scenic Area – Baili Landscape Gallery – Xianashan Village – Wulong Gorge – Back to Beijing City

Day 1: Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park

The joy of traveling is inseparable from the preparation before departure. For this trip outside Beijing, I specially brought light-colored clothes and skirts, packed my luggage, filled up the car with gas, and of course, the most important thing is travel insurance. All these years of traveling have made us more aware of travel safety. When driving, safety is paramount, so before our departure, I purchased the "PICC China People's Insurance Driver and Passenger Accident Insurance - Ruyixing" for Chen, giving him peace of mind from now on.

A pleasant drive without the worry of accidental injuries is the safety guarantee provided by PICC. Regardless of whether you're traveling on holidays or not, if you suffer an accident while using the car, you'll receive compensation as agreed, along with medical and hospitalization services. It's truly wonderful!

I took advantage of a limited-time 10% discount before my departure, saving both money and worry. This added layer of protection and peace of mind for our trip. Download the PICC app and search for "Ruyixing" to purchase. Whether you're driving alone or with a family, we have a policy to ensure peace of mind. The PICC APP also provides users with one-stop services such as policy management, value-added services, online claims, and online customer service. Users can place orders with one click and enjoy peace of mind.

The scenery along the way is endless. From the city to the idyllic scenery outside Beijing, we arrived at our first stop: Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park. Here are large areas of reeds and lotus flowers. During the annual migration season, many birds can be seen stopping here, which is how the Wild Duck Lake got its name.

In the summer, the reeds here are as tall as a person, lush and green, and the vast expanses are truly spectacular! This is a unique green landscape in summer, and it is said that in spring, autumn, and winter, the scenery is even more unique. The best photo spot here is the Wanghu Tower Bird Observation Deck, which is also the best viewing point here! On the way to Wanghu Tower, I couldn’t help taking a lot of photos. It is definitely a holy place for taking photos and checking in. You can take blockbuster photos in minutes!

Let me recommend my favorite camera positions:

1. Standing in the middle of the small path and wooden boardwalk leading to Wanghu Tower for photos—it really recreates Hayao Miyazaki's summer vibe!

2. Photographers can shoot directly from Wanghu Tower, creating a drone-like effect. Then, just stroll along the boardwalk for a few steps and enjoy the panoramic views!

3. Relax and lean back at the corner of the wooden plank road. It is the perfect visual center of the camera~

In the evening, we arrived at the homestay we had booked in advance. It was a very beautiful Japanese-style courtyard house. You can soak in the hot springs here. The fatigue of the journey was swept away in that instant!

Tips:

1. Bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

2. Entrance fee: 50r

3. There are a few small service counters along the way, but there is nothing to eat. If you stay for a long time, it is recommended to bring some food with you.

Day 2: Yudu Mountain Scenic Area

The next day, we headed to Yudu Mountain. Away from the skyscrapers, we were treated to breathtaking natural scenery! However, this area is relatively remote, requiring a long drive up the winding mountain road, so safety was paramount. So, we purchased the "China Insurance Driver and Passenger Accident Insurance - Ruyixing" in advance, which gave me peace of mind.

In the evening, while strolling around, we were pleasantly surprised to encounter a stunning sunset. The sunlight penetrated the clouds, like a pearl covered in dust, yet still shining brightly. There is probably nothing more romantic than watching the sunset with your loved one~

I stayed at a newly opened B&B in Yanqing that night. The small courtyard was clean and relaxing. I had a good night's sleep and was ready to start my journey full of energy the next day!

Tips:

1. If you want to camp or picnic at Yudu Mountain, it is recommended to go early and choose a good spot under the shade of a tree.

2. Tickets: 55 yuan/person if purchased online, or 60 yuan/person if purchased on site.

3. Pets are allowed. We also saw people bringing badminton rackets, kites, etc.

4. The winding road up the mountain is very curved, so please pay attention to safety and walk 30-40 yards. Day 3: Baili Landscape Gallery On the third day, we drove to our next stop: Baili Landscape Gallery. Speaking of suburban road trips, this is probably the place most people choose. With its beautiful mountain and water views, and the cool summer weather, it's a perfect place to escape the heat!

Perhaps the greatest reward of visiting Baili Art Gallery was the sea of flowers we encountered. Walking among the fields of purple verbena and golden sunflowers felt like stepping into a dreamlike movie set. I was completely moved to tears by their beauty! I highly recommend you come and see it in person, it's even more beautiful when you see it with your own eyes~

On the way to Xia Ni Shan Bridge, I took some of the most satisfying photos of my trip. It felt like a real-life Wizard of Oz, with its pristine woods, clean paths, sparkling streams, and country bridges. A paradise on earth, a utopia—these words are absolutely appropriate to describe this place!

There are many small attractions to visit here, including: Dripping Pot, Baihe Canyon, Petrified Wood National Geopark, Wulong Canyon, Yanshan Tianchi, Thousand Acres of Sunflower Sea... This place hides countless little summer secrets, and there are many more beautiful things waiting for you to discover~

Tips:

1. Because there are so many small attractions here, it is most convenient to travel by car~

2. There will be restaurants along the way, so don’t worry about food

Don’t wear too fancy clothes when taking photos in the sea of flowers. Solid and light-colored clothes are recommended, and a straw hat will make you look more stylish!

Reading a thousand travel quotes is not as good as standing in the sunshine and capturing the scenery yourself. If you're bored staying at home, why not get out and about? Summer has so much more to offer than meets the eye.

Of course, don't forget to get insurance before you set off. Download the PICC app and search for "Ruyixing" to get coverage for the whole family. With super value and high coverage, you'll have the freedom to travel as you wish. Whether it is weekdays or holidays, if you suffer an accident during the use of the car, you will be compensated according to the agreement. Go ahead, every road you choose will be protected by the insurance company. Download the PICC app and enjoy your driving trip~