Scenic Routes.
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The Great Wall is certainly not the only tourist attraction that rural Beijing municipality has to offer. Beijing’s countryside is dotted with lush green mountains, ancient temples, magnificent lakes, hot springs, organic fruit and vegetable picking farms, streams and rivers, underground caves, waterfalls, and much, much more.
The best way to discover Beijing’s rural sections is by car. For those with no car or no access to a car, the next best option might be to arrange a taxi (with a trusted driver) for a half or full day. But remember: it’s essential to set the price before departure. There are also a limited number of buses that go out to the various tourist attractions and resorts. Once there, travel by taxi or other buses is possible, although it may be harder for non-Chinese speakers to navigate once there since virtually no English is spoken in the rural parts of the municipality, especially outside of the major tourist sites.
Located 50 km to the north of Beijing is Huairou County. With its 69% forest cover, it is one of the greenest areas of the region and also functions as one of the city’s major water sources. It offers a number of scenic areas for an escape back to nature. Xiangshui Lake, an 18-square-kilometer resort area located to the west of the Mutianyu Great Wall, flaunts waterfalls, caves, streams, cliff engravings, fountains, and pavilions, and offers fishing opportunities and the chance to dine with local villagers. A further gem of Hairou County is the Hongluo Temple, tucked up on the side Hongluo Mountain amidst pine and cypress trees and offering spectacular views over Hongluo Lake. Huairou city can be reached by bus from Dongzhimen.
Another scenic area of rural Beijing is located in Fengtai District, just to the southwest of the city proper. Nangong Village, the first geo-thermal community in China, is especially well-known for its gardens and hot springs.