In the early summer of Beijing, go and see the colorful flower sea in the park, the lush greenery by the roadside, and feel the cool breeze by the river. Come on a cycling trip when you have leisure time! Here are some summer cycling routes recommended by the editor.
1. Around Shichahai
The Shichahai Scenic Area is picturesque and unique. The famous “Dijing Jingwulue” praised the charm of Shichahai with “West Lake Spring, Qinhuai Summer, Dongting Autumn”.
In early summer, willow trees along the banks of Shichahai sway in the breeze, and the white marble railings and grey tiled houses are reflected in a pool of blue waves. When you ride in this area, you can fully experience the leisurely and comfortable slow life of old Beijing.
On a clear day, stand on Yinding Bridge and look northwest. The water is rippling nearby, and the beautiful scenery of the Western Hills is in the distance. This is known as one of the “Eight Sights of Yanjing”, “Yinding Observing the Mountains”.
The ancient and elegant Yantai Xiejie Street has various street shops, including paper cutting, pottery, clay figurines, sugar blowing, and special snacks, all filled with a strong Beijing cultural atmosphere.
Passing through Yantai Xiejie Street and heading north, the ancient “time building”, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, stand north and south, facing each other for hundreds of years. The morning bells and evening drums that were sounded from here once echoed over the ancient capital, engraving the time order of the ancients.
2. Yingcheng Jiandu Waterfront Greenway
The Yingcheng Jiandu Waterfront Greenway starts from Muxidi in the north and ends at Yongdingmen Bridge in the south, covering a total length of 9.3 kilometers. It is a cycling route for appreciating the beautiful scenery and enjoying life.
Along this route, there are not only historical sites such as Baiyunguan, Tianning Temple, and Xiannongtan, but also many beautiful parks such as Beijing Binhe Park, Jinzhongdu Park, Beijing Daguan Garden, and Taoranting Park.
3. Sanshan Wuyuan Greenway
The Sanshan Wuyuan Greenway is 36.09 kilometers long and covers an area of about 62.8 hectares, with a green area of 51.34 hectares. It can be called the green corridor connecting the most historical gardens and scenic spots.
The Sanshan Wuyuan Greenway area is rich in tourism resources and has a rich historical heritage, including historical and cultural relics such as Gu Xiang Dao and the Imperial Road. Cycling on the “Sanshan Wuyuan” Greenway, from the solemn imperial gardens to the leisurely modern parks, quiet university campuses, and community parks full of life, the scenery changes all the way, as if you are traveling through time.
The Sanshan Wuyuan Greenway also connects 13 newly built and renovated parks outside the gardens, namely Changchun New Garden, Haidian Park, Liulangzhuang Park, Chuanyang Park, Zhongwu Park, Beiwu Park, Liangshan Park, Gongdesi Park, Shiqu Park, Miaoyun Temple Park, Yinghulou Park, Chapeng Park, and Nanhanhe Park.
4. Wenyu River Waterfront Greenway
The Wenyu River is a natural river in Beijing that has water all year round. After years of ecological construction, it has now formed beautiful waterfront scenery. The Wenyu River Waterfront Greenway is located along the Wenyu River, and the greenway is 108 kilometers long.
In the early summer, the banks of the Wenyu River are shady, with birds singing and flowers fragrant, and the water is clear and the scenery is beautiful. You can occasionally see wild ducks swimming in the river, which is refreshing.
The East Suburban Forest Park has asphalt roads, cycling greenways, scenic wooden walkways, rest stations and other facilities. It’s very cool and comfortable to ride around. Parents with children can go to the Valley of the Wind theme park in the Future Science City Waterfront Park.
Currently, the 10-kilometer-long slow travel system along the Wenyu River Park Qinghe lower section is officially open to the public. Six landscape nodes have been built along the route, as well as a cross-river landscape bridge. If you have time, invite a few friends and enjoy the comfort brought by a waterfront trip.
5. Tongzhou Grand Canal Cycling Route
The Tongzhou Grand Canal Cycling Route passes through the Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, starting from the canal wharf, ending at the Canal Culture Square and Liuyin Square. The cycling path is about 60 kilometers long. Green trees, pavilions and wooden walkways are distributed along the water system.
The Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area is surrounded by water on all sides. There is a “Yue Island Listening to Orioles” shaped like a crescent moon, a “Yue Island Viewing Platform” that offers 360° panoramic views of the canal and the Beijing urban sub-center, a “Dongguan Bridge”, the only water bridge (cross-river bridge) on the extension of Chang’an Avenue, and the ancient building “Three Temples and One Pagoda”, which contrasts with the modern cityscape.
You can take your children on bicycles, appreciate the “one river, two banks, six gardens, eighteen scenes” along the way, and see the scenery on both sides of the Grand Canal while riding and stopping, feeling the charm of the canal culture.
6. Yanqi Lake
Yanqi Lake is located at the foot of Yanshan Mountain in Huairou District. In spring and autumn every year, flocks of wild geese come to roost here, hence the name.
The Yanqi Lake cycling route is about 20 kilometers long. It passes through Yanqi Lake Road, Yanqi Lake Main Dam, Yanqi Lake West Road, and Yanqi Lake North Road in succession. You can take in all the beautiful scenery of Yanqi Lake along the way.
The Beijing Sunrise East Kempinski Hotel is located on the shores of Yanqi Lake. The hotel building is shaped like the rising sun, with restaurants, bars, and a variety of recreational facilities inside. Visitors can admire the beautiful scenery of Yanqi Lake here.
Go to the Yanqi Lake Western Hills Trail and you can climb high to get a panoramic view of the vast lake area. When the sun sets, the lake surface is dotted with golden light.
The night scenery of Yanqi Lake is even more charming. Colorful lights extend along the more than 10 mountains around the lake. The natural mountains and waters become more brilliant under the illumination of the lights. Visitors can take a night cruise on Yanqi Lake.
Warm Tips
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before cycling, ensuring a good mental state during the ride.
You can supplement with some high-calorie foods before cycling. Warm up before setting off to avoid muscle strain during cycling. You can warm up by riding slowly.
Please observe traffic rules, pay attention to traffic safety, drive slowly, prevent collisions, and avoid traffic accidents.
Pay attention to cycling intensity. It is not advisable to start too early in the morning, and you should rest early in the evening.
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