Live Your Best Lives
D1-10.12: Arrive in Beijing and visit the Temple of Heaven
D2-10.13: Revisit Tiananmen Square, depart from Beijing to Beidaihe, and stay at Lu Muzhai Villa
D3-10.14: Visit Beidaihe Pigeon Nest Park and Qin Emperor's Palace, and enjoy a seafood feast
D4-10.15: Stay at Aranya Anlan Hotel and wander around the Aranya Cultural and Creative Community
D5-10.16: Continue to enjoy the Aranya beach Slow down, return to Beijing by train, and drive to Gubei Water Town.
D6-10.17: Wander in Gubei Water Town, climb the Simatai Great Wall, and enjoy the town's stunning nightscape.
D7-10.18: Return.
In the golden autumn of October, the weather in northern China gradually cools, and Beijing enters its most beautiful season of the year. The air is crisp, the sky is clear, and the maple leaves are turning red and the ginkgo leaves are turning yellow. Although the air is a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, the afternoon sun is warm and soothing. A friend invited me to visit a retirement community in Beijing and a sojourner community in Beidaihe. I was also interested in visiting the Aranya community and Gubei Water Town, so we hit it off and met in Beijing to begin our long-awaited journey.
October 12
In the afternoon, we all arrived at Beijing Airport from different cities. Without taking a break, my friend took us on a trip to the Temple of Heaven. Although I've visited the capital countless times, I've rarely found the time to visit its magnificent imperial buildings. The Temple of Heaven is one such example. Since this rare opportunity presents itself, why not pay it a visit? The Temple of Heaven, originally built in 1420 during the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, covers an area four times the size of the Forbidden City. The outer altar boasts towering ancient trees, while the inner altar is lined with ancient buildings. The Circular Mound Altar stands to the south, and the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests to the north. Its grandeur and magnificence reflect the supreme dignity of ancient emperors. This was the dedicated altar for Ming and Qing emperors to pray for rain and a good harvest. It's the largest surviving ancient architectural complex for offering sacrifices to heaven, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
October 13th
It was another sunny autumn day. After many years, I once again stood in the heart of the motherland - Tiananmen Square. Today, Tiananmen Square is no longer as accessible as it was many years ago. You need to go through strict security checks in designated areas before entering. The Jinshui Bridge is one-way and you cannot return to the square directly once you cross it. It is still full of flowers, it is still solemn and dignified, it is still a holy place that attracts the attention of people across the country, a place that can instantly ignite the patriotic enthusiasm of every Chinese. It is home to various magnificent buildings such as Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People, the Monument to Heroes, the National Museum, the National Grand Theater, and Tiananmen Square. The atmosphere was awe-inspiring as we officially entered the Memorial Hall from the north gate for the first time and paid our respects to Chairman Mao's remains.
October 14th
Beidaihe has been a popular summer resort since ancient times. Many national leaders have come here for recuperation. Western countries have built 719 villas here, of which over 130 remain well-preserved. These villas, with their "red roofs, plain walls, high platforms, and bright corridors," are unique in shape and style, showcasing architectural styles from around the world and earning the nickname "International Architecture Expo."
Autumn in Beidaihe is filled with a bleak atmosphere. The coastal avenue is almost deserted, and most guesthouses and sanatoriums are closed. Even the various hotels have largely ceased operations. Without the throngs of people and the steaming heat, Beidaihe is left with only tranquility and leisure.
The Dove's Nest Park is not large in area and is famous for its Eagle Horn Rock. Eagle Horn Rock is a giant stone reef, standing upright by the sea and against the cliff. It is more than 2.5 billion years old, with a turquoise color, rugged rocks, and steep cliffs, resembling an eagle standing on the seashore. Due to the many cracks in the rocks weathered over the years, pigeons often gather on the rocks and roost in the cracks at night, so it is also called the Dove's Nest. Chairman Mao once wrote the immortal chapter "Lang Tao Sha Beidaihe" with passion here: "The bleak autumn wind is here again, and the world has changed." Now, only the pigeons in the square are still cute and like to get close to people. As for the Qin Emperor's Palace on the way, it is just an imitation of ancient buildings, unremarkable, but the seafood at noon is jaw-dropping. It is very spectacular when served in a pot, with a particularly rich variety, but it is not easy to cook or heat.
Compared to the large and small parks in Beidaihe, I prefer strolling in the sanatorium. The Lu Muzhai villas in the courtyard are simple, elegant and mysterious. Each old villa is like a three-dimensional painting, a wordless poem, and a solidified piece of music. The angels bathed in the sun seem to be telling us the history of this place, and the lush ancient trees surrounding it seem to be showing off its former glory... The Welcoming Pine opens its arms to welcome visitors from all directions. The eight-pillar dome-shaped painted pavilion built more than a hundred years ago is still well preserved and beautifully shaped. The unique double pavilions and the golden ginkgo trees that silently stand by complement each other. I love sitting in the rocking chairs on the corridor of the villa under the warm autumn sun, sipping a pot of good tea, chatting about our past, present and future, smelling the pine fragrance, and looking for squirrels. Of course, I have to praise the food in the sanatorium. Every dish is outstanding, and every meal is a seafood feast, worthy of being the work of a master.
October 15th - October 16th
Today marks the second half of our journey. The highlight has just begun; the rest of our itinerary is ours, free and unfettered. Two Didi cars carrying five beautiful women headed straight for an isolated coastal community in southern Beidaihe. It bears the poetic name of Aranya, derived from the Sanskrit word aranya, meaning "a secluded place, a place of tranquility, far from the hustle and bustle." After boarding the car, you need to call the hotel to inform them of your car number. The barrier will automatically lift when you enter the community gate. Entering the community feels like traveling through time and space, a sense of unreality and fantasy. This is a highly successful artificial coastal "utopia," far away from the hustle and bustle, crowds, and pollution, with an intoxicating beauty. The Anlan Hotel is located in the heart of the community. Each room has a large terrace, and upon check-in, they provide plenty of snacks and drinks. We checked in just in time for the national premiere of the film "Dune" in Aranya, and many people from the cultural community were in attendance. After checking in, you can use the Aranya app to collect free electronic tickets for the auditorium and library with your check-in information. The hotel offers a shuttle bus to various locations in Anaya, which can be called or hailed at will—a very thoughtful, free service. We also loved the owner's canteens at Anaya, which now boast six. Except for the second canteen, which is closed to tourists during peak season, all the others are open. The dishes at each canteen are similar, yet each has its own unique characteristics. The selection is wide and the value is high, allowing for a wide range of choices and a wide range of budgets. The third canteen is right next door to the hotel, and we ate almost every meal at Anaya there.
UCCA Dune Art Museum, once Lonely Planet rated it as the most anticipated art museum in 2019. From a distance, it looks like mysterious caves hidden in swirling sand dunes. Although the exhibition is being removed, I still want to go in and take a look. Stepping into the cave is like being in a white dream. Each exhibition hall faces a different direction and has windows of different sizes. The carefully designed skylights ensure that the exhibition hall feels the light at different times of the day. The cave entrance near the sea uses floor-to-ceiling glass to create an arc-shaped frame, which is like placing the art museum between the sea and the sky. You can quietly feel the changes in light and shadow and the flow of wind and sand. There is a beauty of the fusion of art and nature, which is similar to the Naoshima Chichu Art Museum at the Seto Inland Sea Art Festival in Japan (drone photos of the art museum and exhibition photos are borrowed from the Internet).
October 17th
Gubeikou area is known as the key to the capital. Gubei Water Town is backed by the Simatai Great Wall, the most beautiful and dangerous section of China, and sits on the gentle and tranquil Yuanyang Lake Reservoir. It is the first off-site development project of Wuzhen Tourism and is known as the most beautiful red leaf holy land in the suburbs of Beijing. It is a popular landmark for check-ins in autumn. Different from the red leaves covering the mountains in scenic spots such as Xiangshan, Hongluo Temple, and Pofengling, the red leaves in Gubei Water Town have a unique beauty that combines plants and architecture, scenery and humanities. The town’s various houses, the winding water system, and the Simatai Great Wall in the distance, the progressive changes in the near, mid and long shots echo each other and blend into one. It has also attracted many teams to organize treasure hunts in the ancient town and real-life costume script-killing activities. In recent years, a grand red leaf festival has been held every autumn.
If a place is infiltrated by water, it will also have aura, and the same is true for Gubei Water Town. The water in the town starts from Yuanyang Lake at the foot of the Great Wall. The water color shows a charming emerald green. The waterway winds deep into the depths of the town, passing through stone bridges. Green trees and red leaves line up on both sides. Under the sunshine of autumn, the green and deep red set off, making people feel ripples from the bottom of their hearts. You can also capture various childlike decorations at any time in the town, including exquisite kites, funny giraffes, cute goldfish, various squirrel-themed cartoon wall paintings, and cats climbing up and down...
The famous Yongshun Dyeing Workshop was founded in 1900. It is famous for its uniform dyeing and bright and long-lasting color. It is hidden in an ancient street in Gubei Water Town. The bright stone road leads everyone to this once famous workshop. Walking through the autumn path and walking into this small courtyard, I was immediately shocked by the scene in front of me. The tall poles were covered with long floral cloths. The colorful floral cloths danced in the breeze, drawing beautiful arcs. Visitors shuttled through the colorful Capturing the most beautiful self in the beautiful fabrics, the children were laughing and playing among the colorful sea of cloth. They climbed up to the second-floor terrace and overlooked the entire yard. Sunlight poured on the floral cloth, the shadows of mountains in the distance, and the gray walls and red leaves all around. The beauty of that moment is enough to be remembered.
Climbing more than 200 steps from the foot of the mountain to the top, the church stands quietly on the top of the mountain, waiting for the noble purity. This is the best place to overlook the entire water town. The entire church is wrapped in red leaves, and there is a bit of mystery in the solemnity. Looking at the autumn colors of the city from a high place, letting the rustling autumn wind blow your clothes, the blue sky, the distant mountains and the clear water, your soul is instantly washed and purified by the beautiful scenery in front of you.
The Simatai Great Wall, a branch of Yanshan Mountain, has steep mountains and thousands of ravines. It is said that this is the only Great Wall in China that retains its original appearance from the Ming Dynasty. The city wall was built according to the steep mountains. It is famous for its strangeness, uniqueness and danger, and is known as the first of the Great Walls of China. Finally, it is the essence of the Great Wall. In 2012, the British "Times" rated the Simatai Great Wall as "the first of the 25 scenic spots in the world that cannot be missed", and was determined by UNESCO as a "world-class treasure" and a special cultural heritage of mankind. This place is absolutely authentic, with almost no trace of repairs. It is all broken walls. The climb is very difficult and very steep. Many places require both hands and feet. It is best to go back and forth by cable car. The cable car cannot go to the top of the mountain. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the cable car station to the east 8th floor beacon tower. The larger the beacon number, the higher the location. The highest is only up to the east 10th floor. Climb up to enjoy the autumn with a few friends. The majestic Simatai Great Wall is a unique and beautiful scenery. The ancient city wall has witnessed the changes in the long history. With the blue sky on its back, stretching east and west, and the wild clouds, every plant, tree, brick and stone here has been placed by people. Deep emotions, this is the only Great Wall in my country that is open for night tours. Just imagine holding your lover's hand and holding a green lantern, walking on the ancient stone steps with each other's support on the top of the mountains, embracing the sunset and stars together, and overlooking the lights of the town.
When you are tired from walking, try the roasted pears from Gubei Water Town. In the hot enamel cup, there lies a large pear that has been roasted to dark brown. Poke it lightly with a spoon, and the thick pear soup will flow out. The skin is thin and sweet, and the flesh is tender. After a long time of baking, it is even softer and more delicious. After eating the roasted pear You can also take the enamel cup back as a souvenir. For lunch, go to the Linhe Restaurant of Neighbor Inn and Yongshun Inn for dinner. The restaurants in both towns are very satisfactory. Both the environment and the dishes are very good. The prices are not particularly expensive because they are in a scenic spot. They are still highly recommended.
As night falls, ask for the performance time and rush to the site of the massive drone Kongming Lantern Show and Wangjing Tower Water Dance Light Show. The drone show on Riyue Island Square (starting at 19:30) is created with high-tech means such as sound, light, electricity, video, and audio. It is very cool. The patterns change in the night sky, and the 3D three-dimensional effect is lifelike, blooming in the night sky like a dream. In the brilliance, a formation of nearly a hundred drones carried the Kongming Lantern, carrying people's pious and beautiful long-cherished wishes. Sparks slowly rose into the sky, blooming brightly like thousands of stars, echoing the twinkling Simatai Great Wall in the distance, like a golden dragon awakened by the light.
The water dance light show in Wangjing Tower (19:20-19:40, 20:00-20:20, 20:40-21:00) uses the newly developed "virtual reality" water dance control system, The water dance movements are perfectly matched with the rhythm of the music. This is an interaction of sound and light, which makes Wangjing Tower full of magic. Sometimes it changes into various colors, sometimes into various shapes, flickering and appearing. For a while, a phoenix flying high will appear, and for a while, a phoenix flying high will appear. A lion jumping up and down appeared again, and an ancient general appeared on the roof. The realistic 3D effect was like a magic show, which opened everyone's eyes. The musical fountain was not to be outdone, and the water column kept swinging with the music and lights. It moves, with dazzling fires erupting from time to time, the perfect fusion of music and lights, the passionate collision of water and fire, and bursts of exclamations from the crowd. Everyone uses their mobile phones to record this wonderful moment. It is really a wonderful visual feast.
After enjoying the two shocking performances, I went to the church alone again, overlooking the night of the town. The warm yellow lights were reflected in the crisscrossing rivers, the light and shadow were slightly rippling, and the lights of the town were twinkling. The light is overflowing. Looking up, the moon is bright. The giant dragon that has experienced 500 years of wind and rain lies quietly on the opposite mountain. The entire water is calm and gentle. Standing on the top of the mountain, it seems to be far away from the fireworks of the world. The illusion of a flashy dream makes people trance-like.
The cool autumn wind blew by. I tightened my sleeves and walked along the streets to the exit. The crowd had already dispersed. The ancient town at night was quiet and comfortable, without the hustle and bustle of the day, and had returned to its original appearance.
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