Recommended Camping Spots in Beijing, Best Places to Camp in Beijing

There are actually many places and attractions suitable for camping in Beijing. Many people’s inherent impression is that Beijing is all urban construction areas, but this is not the case. Beijing also has a large number of suburbs, and there are many places to camp in the suburbs of Beijing. Here are some recommendations for you.

Si Ma Tai Reservoir

Camping at Si Ma Tai Reservoir has a very nostalgic feel, a kind of sadness of “Ancient people don’t see today’s moon, this month has been shining on ancient people”. In the morning, you can wash your face at the hot spring by the reservoir, refresh yourself.

Recommended reason: The areas near the east and west banks of Si Ma Tai Reservoir are excellent places for camping.

Driving route: Along Jing Shun Road, Jing Mi Road, past Mi Yun County, towards Gu Bei Kou.

La Ba Gou Men Primitive Forest Park

On the mountain of La Ba Gou Men Primitive Forest Park, there are dense goat forests and birch forests. At night, you often hear the sounds of roe deer and pheasants in the tent, although there is a strong primitive forest atmosphere, but it also makes you sweat a lot.

Recommended reason: The vast primitive forest, the steep cliffs, and the mysterious canyons, camping here will make you enjoy the gifts of nature more.

Tips: Don’t forget to drink a sip of the spring water from the Longevity Spring. It is said that dozens of families who have been drinking this spring for generations all have people over 90 years old. It is best not to set up camp in the mountains, safety first.

Driving route: From Jing Shun Road to Huairou, then continue north along Huairou Feng Gong Road to the north of La Ba Gou Men Village, there are signs.

Yun Mong Shan Natural Scenic Area

With mist lingering like a fairy, Yun Mong Shan, known as “Little Huangshan”, is located at the junction of Mi Yun County and Huairou District. The natural scenery along the way is primitive and beautiful, with towering mountains, deep ravines, various peaks and strange rocks, waterfalls and springs everywhere, unpredictable clouds and mists, and lush trees and flowers. It is the closest national forest protection area to Beijing, known for its danger, beauty, strangeness, and grandeur. It is a good place for outdoor camping, and you can also test your outdoor survival skills. It is recommended to camp near Wan Sui Yang, and then return the same way.

Recommended reason: The natural scenery along Yun Mong Shan is primitive and beautiful, and it is even more charming in autumn, September and October. It is the closest national forest protection area to Beijing, known for its danger, beauty, strangeness, and grandeur. It is very suitable for outdoor fitness and camping activities.

Experience: You can camp in the depths of Yun Mong Shan, at Leng Feng Dian (a place built by the people to avoid the Japanese devils during the Anti-Japanese War, where they were self-sufficient). The scenes of the Anti-Japanese War seem to be right in front of you.

Tips: The night temperature is around 5℃, so you need to bring a sweater; walking on mountain roads for a long time, comfortable shoes are very important.

Driving route: From San Yuan Qiao, drive northeast, through Sun He to the Ku Liu Shu roundabout, then turn north to reach Huairou District. Then drive north along Jing Feng Gong Road for about 10 minutes, pass Huairou Yan Qi Hu, and continue north for 25 kilometers, there are signs.

Jiu Gu Kou Natural Scenic Area

Jiu Gu Kou Scenic Area is surrounded by mountains and water, and there are also the Great Wall and valleys. After finding an empty space to set up camp, you can have a barbecue, go fishing… Although it’s not far from the city, lying in the tent at night and sleeping with the stars and moon as your pillow, you always have a feeling of escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city and finding yourself.

Recommended reason: This is the largest outdoor camping area in Beijing.

Experience: Surrounded by mountains and water, with the Great Wall around. After setting up camp, you can barbecue, go fishing, and go sledding. Although it’s not far from the city, lying in the tent at night and sleeping with the stars and moon as your pillow, with hundreds of birds as your clock, you always have a feeling of escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Driving route: Take Jing Shun or Airport Expressway to Huairou, go north to Yan Qi Hu, then north for 5 kilometers.

Shi San Ling Reservoir

Shi San Ling Reservoir has many shady paths, the sky and water blend together, and the green grass stretches as far as the eye can see, making it a great place for camping. Set up a tent, sit on the green grass, face the dam, eat and drink with the breeze, it’s very comfortable. If you have time, you can also go to the Imperial Tombs.

Recommended reason: There is a very large piece of grass by the reservoir, very suitable for camping. It can accommodate one or two hundred people plus the cars that come, and it doesn’t feel crowded at all. Facing the dam, with the water beside you, it’s quite unique.

Experience: Watching the rainbow across the mountains in the distance, eating grilled chicken wings, drinking red wine, it’s so charming! At night, everyone dances in the middle to music…

Tips: Be sure to bring a radio and tapes. The temperature is low at night, so bring more blankets and wear more clothes.

Self-driving route: Take the Badaling Expressway to the Shi San Ling Reservoir exit.

Huang Song Yu Reservoir

Huang Song Yu Reservoir can’t be called an “enthusiast-level” camping spot. It’s a place unknown to most tourists. The spring water from the mountain springs reaches drinking water standards as soon as it comes out. The reservoir can accommodate hundreds of tents, and sleeping for three to five hundred people is no problem. Light a bonfire, let’s have a sleepless night!

Recommended reason: It’s a place unknown to most tourists. In summer, there are mulberry trees all over the reservoir, and no one eats the ripe ones. In autumn, the ripe hawthorns fall all over the ground, forming red carpets.

Driving route: Along Jing Shun Road, Shun Ping Road, past Ping Gu County, at the Hu Zhuang Road intersection, head north towards Hu Dong Shui, Fei Long Gu Tourism Scenic Area.

Camping at Xiang Shui Hu Scenic Area

Xiang Shui Hu Scenic Area is located east of Da Zhen Yu Village, Bo Hai Town, west of Mu Tian Yu Great Wall in Huairou. It is a natural scenic valley that combines the Great Wall, ancient caves, mountains, rivers, springs, and ponds. On both sides of the valley, peaks rise and fall, strange rocks stand tall, and the Great Wall, which has gone through the vicissitudes of time and still retains its ancient appearance, is like a giant dragon about to fly, soaring into the sky. The majestic and dangerous city passes, very spectacular.

There is a ravine in the scenic area, with clear springs in the ravine, with the Mu Tian Yu Great Wall behind it. You can camp here, but you need to make an appointment with the scenic area in advance.

Recommended reason: A uniquely endowed and beautiful tourist destination in the suburbs of Beijing, it is very suitable for camping here.

Driving route: From San Yuan Qiao, take Airport Expressway, after getting off the expressway, take Jing Mi Road to enter Huairou County, then drive northwest towards Mu Tian Yu, at the Mu Tian Yu roundabout, go straight for 8 kilometers and you will arrive. There are advertising signs along the way.

Bai He Bao Reservoir

Bai He Bao Reservoir is the third largest reservoir in Beijing, and it is also the upstream of Beijing’s drinking water source. There is no need to worry about water sources when setting up a tent to camp there, and it is also “pure water” without pollution. You can also see the tall beacon towers and the stone remains of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall on both sides of the reservoir.

Recommended reason: There are many shallows on the north bank of the reservoir, the lake water is blue and blends with the sky, making it a good place for camping.

Driving route: From Chang Ping Xi Guan exit of Jing Chang Expressway, go straight towards Shi San Ling, turn left at Chang Ling Road intersection (Yong Ning direction) – Yan Qing Yong Ning – Liu Bin Bao – turn left at Si Hua Mu National Geopark intersection (Liu Gan Road), cross the bridge, there is a sign pointing left to Yan Shan Tian Chi, turn left and continue to Bai He Bao Reservoir.

Ling Shan

Today’s urban people are increasingly distant from nature, but the inner call to be integrated into nature has never stopped. In fact, on weekends, you can invite a few friends, find a beautiful place, set up a tent on the grass or bare ground, smell the fragrance of soil and green grass, and you will suddenly feel a deep sense of return and comfort.

Ling Shan is a mountain-type natural scenic tourist area that combines a nature reserve with natural scenery. On the top of Ling Shan, known as the highest peak in Beijing, there is a large lawn where you can set up camp.

Recommended reason: Being able to camp on the top of Ling Shan (main peak at 2303 meters above sea level), the highest peak in the Beijing area, is both exciting and proud.

Experience: There is a lawn on the top of the mountain where you can set up camp. Looking west, you can see Xiao Wu Tai Shan in the distance. You can choose to cross Ling Shan through Xi Long Men Jian, which is a wild mountain and wild water, and the route is more dangerous and difficult to walk than the eastern one. It’s exciting enough to cross and camp.

Tips: The wind on the mountain is very strong and cold. You need to use a tent with good windproof performance, and pay special attention to safety when setting it up.

Driving route: Drive from Fu Shi Road to Shi Jing Shan, then drive west, from the Shuang Yu roundabout in Men Tou Gou District, turn north, take National Highway 109, turn right at Shuang Tang Jian, you can reach the scenic area directly. There are signs for Ling Shan Scenic Area.

Tian Huang Shan Scenic Area

Located at the junction of Yan Qing County and Huai Lai County in Hebei Province, Tian Huang Shan Natural Scenic Area should be considered one of the best and easiest-to-reach camping spots in the suburbs of Beijing. Tian Huang Shan Scenic Area is also known as “Wu Dao Hu Shi Ku” Tourist Area, 30 kilometers east of Badaling Great Wall and 1 kilometer away from the famous Yan Qing County Gu Ya Ju, with a total area of 5 square kilometers.

Set up camp at the grotto ruins

The entrance fee to the scenic area is 20 yuan. If there are many people, you can get a slight discount. You can also climb the mountain to enter the scenic area, but it takes about two hours to walk. About a 30-minute walk from the entrance of the scenic area, you can reach the Qing Quan Temple ruins. Qing Quan Temple is actually a group of grottoes on the mountain cliff. According to historical records, it was carved in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is said that it was originally the seat of the government, and later it was converted into a temple. I don’t know when people left and the temple was empty, and the main hall only retains the large and small depressions on the wall where beams and rafters were placed. Nowadays, we can only imagine the grandeur of the flying eaves, beams and rafters, and carvings and paintings in the past.

The usual camping spot is set up at the location of the original main hall, because it is located on the top of the grottoes, so the view here is excellent and the air circulates. You can set up about five or six tents, and the tents can be arranged on the inside, on the one hand, there is the remaining roof of the grottoes to shelter from the wind and rain, and on the other hand, there is enough space for about 10 people to move around. When camping at Tian Huang Shan, there are no special requirements for the waterproof and windproof performance of the tent, but because it is set up on hard ground, a self-supporting tent is needed. Tunnel tents and other non-self-supporting tents will be passed over.

Of course, if you are interested, there are many ready-made stone beds and stone houses here. Theoretically, you can stay with a duvet. In the evening, this place is even more ideal for moon watching and stargazing. After tidying up the campsite, you can go to the back mountain to visit the Wu Yun Dong direction. There is a large-scale group of ancient man-made grottoes there, with bedrooms, kitchens, halls, and corridors complete.

There is also a clear spring at the entrance of the grottoes, which can be used all year round. However, considering hygiene factors, it is recommended to boil it or at least filter it with a water purifier before drinking. Because the spring water is not flowing, please try to use the water away from the spring after taking it, so as not to pollute the water source.

Actually, camping is not just about sleeping in a different place. One of its pleasures is outdoor cooking. At the Tian Huang Shan Grotto campsite, not only can you enjoy the food at home, but you can also enjoy things that are not convenient to do at home, such as BBQ (barbecue). Sitting outside the main hall, basking in the sun, making yourself a pot of tea, and grilling meat around a stove. If you bring a grill and an iron plate, then all kinds of barbecue and teppanyaki will be available.

Travel Tips

Self-driving: Take the Badaling Expressway to the Yan Qing County exit, after reaching Yan Qing County, drive towards Shi Jing Long Ski Resort, pass the ski resort, and there will be a sign indicating “Gu Ya Ju” to turn right. Enter, at the entrance of Gu Ya Ju, turn left and pass Yuan Xiang Mei Li Jian to reach the destination.

Public transport: Take bus 919 express from De Sheng Men to the terminal station in Yan Qing County, and then take a taxi from there, about 50 yuan per car each way.

Camping at Xi He Kou

Xiao Wu Tai Shan Xi Jin He Kou Scenic Area

Xiao Wu Tai Shan Forest Park belongs to the Heng Shan range, located in the territory of Wei County, Zhang Jia Kou City, Hebei Province. It is the most famous outdoor destination around Beijing. The reserve has beautiful scenery, with many hiking trails of varying difficulty, and there are also many very suitable campsites. The easiest to reach is the two campsites in the Xi Jin He Kou Scenic Area. The closer one is near the pagoda forest, about a 1-hour walk from the entrance of the scenic area. However, due to the recent renovation of Jin He Temple, it is crowded and chaotic, so the 1500 campsite (named after its elevation of about 1500 meters) further away is recommended. The terrain here is flat and open, very close to the water source, and there are fewer tourists coming and going, making it very suitable for camping. If you have a lot of supplies, you can hire a donkey to carry your backpack at Xi Jin He Kou.

After settling into your campsite, you can wander around. Xiao Wu Tai Shan is also a famous Buddhist holy land in the north. As early as the Tang Dynasty, monks gathered here, and during the Ming and Qing dynasties, many temples and Taoist temples were rebuilt and newly built. Although they have gone through the vicissitudes of time and many have been destroyed, the cultural charm still exists.

Travel Tips

Self-driving: Take the Badaling Expressway to the Ji Ming Yi exit, get off the expressway, drive through Zhuo Lu, and take National Highway 109 towards Tao Hua Town. After passing Tao Hua Town, continue west for about 26 kilometers, turn left at Xi He Ying to leave National Highway 109, take National Highway 207, drive south for about 3 kilometers, turn left at Xia Yuan, leave National Highway 207, drive east for 18 kilometers, and arrive at Xi Jin He Kou.

Bus: There are long-distance buses from Xi Zhi Men and Qi Jia Huo Zi Long-distance Bus Station in Beijing to Wei County, get off at Tao Hua Town, the fare is 33 yuan/person. Then, rent a tricycle or minivan to reach Chi Ya Bao or the Xi Jin He Kou management station.

Camping by You Zhou Village

Best Camping Spot around Beijing – You Zhou Canyon

Located in Hebei Province, You Zhou Canyon is also called Guan Ting Mountain Canyon and Yong Ding River Canyon. It starts from the Guan Ting Reservoir Dam in the north and ends at Yan He Cheng along the river in the south of Men Tou Gou District. In the canyon, towering mountains stand on both sides, the huge rocks have been weathered naturally, and at the bottom of the canyon is the rapid Yong Ding River.

You Zhou Canyon used to be an important passageway from the northwest to Beijing. The once prosperous official road is now very quiet. You can see relatively wide river beaches in the canyon, the terrain is gentle, the river water is clear, and it is very suitable for camping, picnicking, and bonfires. There are many places to camp here. Backpackers usually choose to set up camp in a small forest by the river near You Zhou Village. This place is right on the roadside from Jiu Zhuang Wo to Yan He Cheng, very easy to find. Because it is not far from You Zhou Village, you can also buy some drinks, water, and food in the village if necessary, but the choices are limited.

It is important to note that the river water in You Zhou Canyon is the upstream of Yong Ding River, which is connected to the Guan Ting Reservoir. There are two water releases every day, at noon and at night, during which time the water level will rise significantly. So pay extra attention to safety when playing by the river. There is a type of insect that locals call “horseflies” which bite very painfully and cause redness and swelling. If you go there in summer, be sure to bring insect repellent and anti-itch medicine.

You Zhou Village has over a hundred residents. The houses in the village still retain the old style, which is worth seeing. The locals mainly raise sheep and grow fruit trees. Especially in autumn, it is a good place to pick red dates.

You Zhou Canyon is also one of the classic beginner hiking routes around Beijing. Of course, if you don’t want to hike, it’s also a good choice to camp directly near You Zhou Village. Yan He Cheng is about 15 kilometers away from You Zhou. It was a fortress guarding the Yong Ding River Canyon during the Ming Dynasty. Yan He Cheng is about 1000 square meters, and it still retains well-preserved walls and the west city gate. The houses and old gates in the courtyard are very exquisite. There are three well-preserved enemy platforms outside Yan He Cheng, guarding the exit of the rock ditch to the west of the city.

Travel Tips

Self-driving: Take National Highway 109, about 80 km out of Beijing, there will be a sign indicating “Zhen Zhu Hu Scenic Area”, turn right and enter, about 14 km to reach Yan He Cheng Village, after reaching Yan He Cheng Train Station, cross the river and continue along the mountain road for about 15 km, when you see a large area of ​​date orchards, you will reach You Zhou Village.

Public transport: Take train 4415 from Beijing Station to Jiu Zhuang Wo Station and get off, the whole journey is 2 hours and 21 minutes, the fare is 8 yuan. Then walk from Jiu Zhuang Wo to You Zhou Village for about 3 hours. You can take the train back from Jiu Zhuang Wo or Yan He Cheng Station, the whole journey is 2 hours, the fare is 7 yuan. In most cases, there will be temporary stops passing through You Zhou Village Station, so you can get off directly at You Zhou Village Station.

Camping Equipment and Precautions

Equipment

Tent: The most important piece of equipment for camping is the tent. Generally, the requirements for tents in spring, summer, and autumn are not high, and double-layer tents can meet the requirements. However, there are a few points to note when choosing a tent: first is waterproofness. It is inevitable to encounter wind and rain when going out, so when choosing a tent, you must pay attention to checking the waterproofness of the outer fabric of the tent, and all seams should be waterproofed with glue.

The second is space and weight. Generally speaking, for the sake of comfort, you can choose a larger tent for camping, but if you need to hike a distance to the campsite, you should consider whether the weight of the tent can be borne. Of course, there is no such restriction for campsites that can be reached directly by car.

Sleeping pad: You need a bed after you have a house. Sleeping pad, also called a moisture-proof pad, its main function is to isolate moisture and keep warm. There are three common types of sleeping pads: foam pads, usually made of EVAPE physical foaming materials, light, cheap, and not easily damaged, but the downside is that they are bulky and the sleeping comfort is average; inflatable pads, which are the so-called air beds and air pads, have the advantage of good comfort, and the storage volume is not large, but the downside is that they are heavy, poor insulation, and easily punctured; self-inflating pads, which actually have foam material filled inside the air pad, using the resilience of the foam material to achieve the effect of “self-inflating”. Of course, you need to add a few more breaths before it can be fully inflated. Self-inflating pads are relatively light, more comfortable, and have a small storage volume, but they are relatively expensive.

Sleeping bag: As the name suggests, it’s a bag for sleeping. According to the different insulation materials used, there are generally two types: down and fiber cotton. Down sleeping bags are light, have good insulation, and have a small compression volume, but they are expensive, difficult to maintain, and once they get wet, they no longer provide insulation. Fiber cotton sleeping bags are just the opposite. You can choose according to your own needs.

Tips

Safety: To ensure the safety of outdoor camping, you must carry the following items with you: lighting tools (it can be a headlamp or a small flashlight, remember that there will always be the possibility of walking at night), extra emergency food and water, tools for sending distress signals (whistle, small mirror, etc.), necessary medicine and bandages, a lightweight raincoat or large plastic bag.

Environmental protection: You should pay attention to the protection of the camp environment, which is to “Leave No Trace”. Master a few principles: prepare in advance, walk and camp on surfaces that can withstand it, dispose of waste properly, leave things as you found them, minimize the impact of campfires, respect wildlife, and consider other visitors.