Reservoirs

While Beijing is dry and dusty, the reservoirs on the outskirts of the city that make possible your daily showers, offer a cool respite. Below are three reservoirs that are worth a day visit during the holidays:

Scenery of Longqing Ravine. [Photo/Xinhua]

Longqing Ravine

Since it opened in 1984, Longqing Ravine has become a popular scenic spot and is often called a mini Three Gorges. Over the years, it has delighted visitors with its beautiful scenery, facilities and services.

The big attraction of the ravine is sailing over the emerald waters of the Gucheng Reservoir. The placid waters run 40 metres deep on average and 60 metres deep in some places. Acrobatic stunts atop steel wires high above the water is another attraction. For an adrenaline rush, there is rock climbing and bungee jumping.

The low hills offer a good way to work up a sweat. Visitors should take some warm clothing along as temperatures can be a lot lower than in Beijing.

Transportation: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen to Yanqing Station and change to a mini-bus, bus 920 or a taxi. There is also the Tourism Bus No 8 from Qianmen Station on weekends and holidays. If travelling by car, drive along the Badaling Expressway to Yanqing town and then continue driving along the Jingzhang State Highway (110 Highway), approximately 85 kilometres from Beijing.

 

Qinglong Gorge

Located close to a pass of the Great Wall in Huairou District, the Dashuiyu Reservoir opened in 1996.

The hills here are less steep than at Longqing Ravine but unique views of the Great Wall add much appeal to the gorge. Water activities are the focus here too. Visitors can either paddle on bamboo rafts and boats in the southern part of the reservoir where the average depth is one metre, or cruise on a boat in the northern part where the waters run 40 to 50 metres deep.

The apex of the gorge is called Platform of Emperor Jade and offers a bird's eye view of the surrounding areas.

Transportation: Take bus 916 at Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station and change to bus No 2 of the north route or to a taxi at Huairou. Or, take bus 936 on the temporary subsidiary route that runs directly to the spot from April to November. By car, drive along the Jingmi Highway from Sanyuanqiao on the Third Ring Road to Huairou, turn left at the first traffic light at the roundabout, continue driving along Huaifeng Highway northward, approximately 75 kilometres from Sanyuanqiao.

 

Shuanglongxia

This is a newly developed scenic spot to the west of Beijing and is often compared to Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province.

Shuanglongxia's main attractions are its waterfalls and plantations. There are two big waterfalls, with the waters plunging down 29 metres, and numerous smaller ones. Winding paths lead into a lush forest whose thick canopy reminds one of rainforests. The well-kept villages nearby are also worth a visit. There is even a small train that runs through the forest.

Besides opportunities for boating and fishing, a special harvest at the end of June makes possible the picking of ripe apricots in nearby Huocun Village.

Transportation: Take bus 929's subsidiary route 200 metres west of the Pingguoyuan Subway Station and get off at Huocun, where you can take the free bus or walk 2 kilometres. By car, drive along the Fushi Highway from Shijingshan or Mentougou to Sanjiadian and continue driving along 109 Highway to the exit to Huocun village, approximately 90 kilometres from Tian'anmen Square.

 

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