Beijing Suburbs Self-driving Tour Route Strategy

Spring is the best season for self-driving tours. In March, when the flowers bloom, not only in the southern cities and Yangzhou, but also in the suburbs of Beijing, you can find beautiful scenery. So, what are some fun places to go on a self-driving tour in the suburbs of Beijing in spring? Below, we recommend some self-driving tour routes for you to play in the suburbs.

1、Juyongguan

JuYongGuan is a famous ancient fortress city on the Beijing-North Great Wall, a national cultural relic protection unit. The gorge where the fortress city is located is part of the Jundu Mountain in the Taihang Mountains. The terrain is extremely dangerous.

This route is 55km long, passing through the main route of the Beijing-Tibet Expressway. It is a relatively short self-driving route. The road conditions are good and the driving difficulty is easy, suitable for driving.

2、Longqing Gorge

Longqing Gorge has both the delicacy of the south and the magnificence of the north, it is worthy of being called the “Little Lijiang” of Beijing.

The scenery in the valley is beautiful, with limestone formations of various shapes on the cliffs. They are named according to their shapes, such as Zhen Shan Rulai, Shi Xiong Tiao Yan, Jiu Lian Dong, Ji Guan Shan, Jin Gang Shan, Ma Ti Tan, and Jiang Jun Yan, all of which are vivid and lifelike.

Take a scenic boat ride through the gorge and experience the wonders of nature.

Because the temperature in Longqing Gorge is several degrees lower than in Beijing, the ice on the lake and in the mountain streams has not completely melted. The cold beauty of the ice flowers and the delicate beauty of the mountain flowers blend together, creating a unique spectacle.

Driving route: Take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway and turn right at the Yingchengzi Bridge (northbound) onto Badaling Road. Drive for 10.4km and turn left onto Longqing Road. After 1.4km, turn right onto Yanliu Road. Continue driving for 2.3km and turn left onto the old road to reach the Longqing Gorge scenic area.

3、Yunmeng Mountain

The “Little Yellow Mountain” of the suburbs of Beijing – Yunmeng Mountain, is located at the junction of Miyun County and Huairou District. It has towering mountains, waterfalls and springs everywhere, and is a good place for outdoor camping.

The azaleas that bloom in spring are as red as fire and as bright as clouds, dyeing the vast forest with a crimson hue.

On weekends or holidays, quickly invite your friends and family, bring a tent, and go to Yunmeng Mountain for a picnic and camping!

Driving route: From Sanyuanqiao, drive northeast, through Sunhe to the dead willow tree roundabout, then turn north to Huairou District. After that, drive north on the Jingfeng Highway for about 10 minutes, passing Huairou Yanqi Lake and then drive north for 25 kilometers, there will be signs indicating the direction.

4、Baishishan

The majestic Baishishan in Lianyuan, Hebei Province, towers over the northernmost part of the Taihang Mountains. It is the head of the dragon that rises in the northwest of the North China Plain. It is named after the white marble that covers the mountain.

The mountain has complex landforms and unique landscapes, combining peak forests, strange rocks, cliffs, canyons, waterfalls, forests, seas of clouds, Buddha’s light, the Great Wall, temples and other landscapes. It is one of the ancient “36 Caves of Heaven and Earth” in China.

Driving route: Beijing-Kunming Expressway – Zhangjiakou-Shijiazhuang Expressway – Lianyuan (Baishishan) exit

5、Wild Three Gorges Shi Du

Shi Du is located in the upper reaches of the Juma River in Fangshan District, 100 kilometers away from the city center. It is known as the “Guilin of the North”. From Qianhekou, the exit of the Juma River, to Shi Du Village, there are 10 bridges and ferries along the way, hence the name “Shi Du”. The sixth ferry has the most beautiful scenery, and it is also the best place to set up a barbecue.

Driving route: Beijing (Liuliqiao) – Jinggangao Expressway (Baoding direction) – Liulihe (exit the expressway) – Hancunhe – Zhangfang – Wild Three Gorges Shi Du

6、Wuling Mountain

Wuling Mountain National Nature Reserve is dominated by forest landscapes, with towering mountains as its backbone and clear streams and green ponds as its arteries. Historical relics dot the landscape, forming a dynamic and unique scroll that combines static and dynamic landscapes, natural and cultural landscapes.

Here, the mountains are layered, the mountains are clear and the water is beautiful, serene and beautiful. The meandering streams are crystal clear, the mist is vast, spitting beads and splashing jade. The strange peaks and rocks are like sculptures and paintings.

Surrounded by towering cliffs, winding stone paths, and deep ravines.

Driving route: The Beijing-Chengde Expressway can reach Xinglong County. From the ruins of Xinglong County City to the north, you can reach the Wuling Mountain scenic area. Self-driving is very convenient.

7、Jinshanling Great Wall

Jinshanling Great Wall is one of the most representative sections of the Great Wall, located at the junction of Luanping County, Hebei Province, and Miyun County, Beijing.

The Jinshanling Great Wall is also a masterpiece of ancient architectural art. It is 10.5 kilometers long, stretching from Longyukou in the west to Wangjinglou in the east. The parapet walls, barrier walls, inscribed brick walls, and Qilin Shadow Wall are unique in the Great Wall.

8、Yanqing Hundred-Mile Water and Mountain Gallery

The “Hundred-Mile Water and Mountain Gallery” is located in the eastern mountainous area of Yanqing. The scenic area covers 850 square kilometers and the scenic route is over 100 kilometers long. The mountains here are surrounded by water, the scenery changes with every step, and the attractions complement each other.

The beautiful Baihe Valley and the majestic Heihe Canyon have nurtured a magical group of petrified woods, the magnificent Drip-Water Waterfall, the mysterious Wulong Canyon, the solemn Chaoyang Temple, the ancient Guan Di Temple, and the lush Datan virgin secondary forest, providing rich tourist resources.

Driving route: Take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway (Badaling Expressway) to Yanqing, head towards Longqing Gorge, take the Xianglong Road tourist line (or towards Shenjiaying, Yongning), and follow the signs for “Hundred-Mile Water and Mountain Gallery” and “Wulong Canyon” to arrive.

9、Tianjin Panshan Mountain

Panshan Mountain Scenic Area is located 15 kilometers northwest of Jixian County, Tianjin. It is also known as the “First Mountain of the East Capital” because it stands majestically to the east of Beijing.

The Panshan Mountain Scenic Area covers an area of 106 square kilometers, with the “Five Peaks”, “Eight Rocks”, and “Three Pans” as its highlights. There are also ancient buildings such as Tiancheng Temple, Wansong Temple, Yunzhao Temple, and the Sarira Pagoda.

Driving route (South Line): From Beijing Ba Wang Fen, take the Jingtong Expressway, Jingha Expressway, and pass through Sanhe County to reach Jixian County.

10、Wutaishan

There are four famous Buddhist mountains in China, and the closest to Beijing is Wutaishan in Shanxi Province. It is the place where Manjushri Bodhisattva resides. The earliest Buddhist temples here were built during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Through generations of repair and expansion, they have formed a certain scale.

Wutaishan is not only impressive for the number of temples, but also for its natural scenery.

The mountains here have an average altitude of over 1000 meters, with the highest peak, Beitai Ye Men Peak, at 3058 meters, known as the “Roof of North China”. It is a tourist area that integrates natural scenery, historical relics, ancient architectural art, and Buddhist culture.