Miyun

Miyun is a hidden gem near Beijing for escaping the summer heat, playing by the water, and breathing in fresh air. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive there from the city center. Here is a detailed Miyun travel guide covering routes, sights, food, and accommodation—just follow it directly!

Recommended Classic Itineraries

• 1-Day Leisure Drive Route: Ideal for a quick weekend reset, focused on lakeside driving and eating fish. Route: city center → Miyun Reservoir Fish Food Street (lunch) → Guankutai → Erdaohe Tunnel Viewing Platform → Reservoir North Viewing Platform → Chaohe Main Dam (sunset) → Ku Coffee → return. The full route is about 105 km, with around 2.5 hours of driving and about 5 hours for sightseeing.
• 2-Day Deep Relaxation Route: Best for those who want to fully unwind and recharge. Day 1: eat fish at noon, visit Bulaotun Observatory in the afternoon, and check into a Liyuan homestay in the evening to stargaze; Day 2: go to Chaohe Main Dam in the morning to watch the sunrise, zone out at Ku Coffee at noon, and visit Sunshine Valley in the afternoon to overlook the reservoir or go fruit picking along the way.
• Summer Water-Fun and Cooling-Off Route: Ideal for visitors who enjoy the outdoors and water activities. Visit Heilongtan in the morning to see waterfalls and streams, head to Qinglianggu in the afternoon for high-altitude glass rafting and mountain rafting, and eat firewood-stewed chicken with mushrooms at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain in the evening.

Must-Visit Attractions

Miyun’s natural scenery is centered on mountains, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The following attractions each have their own highlights and suit different types of travelers:

• Miyun Reservoir: Known as the “Pearl of the Yanshan Mountains,” it has free lakeside boardwalks and several excellent viewing platforms, such as Guankutai and the Reservoir North Viewing Platform. It is perfect for a self-drive outing and sunset views, and is also nicknamed “Beijing’s Little Erhai.”

• Gubei Water Town + Simatai Great Wall: A northern-style water town with a charming atmosphere. It is recommended to enter the park in the afternoon, climb the Great Wall for sunset, then enjoy the night views, molten-iron fireworks, and stage performances in the evening—the atmosphere is unbeatable.

• Heilongtan: A hidden canyon retreat for escaping the heat, where three waterfalls and eighteen pools are strung together like an emerald necklace. Tongtian Waterfall has a drop of more than 50 meters, and there are water-friendly areas along the way, making it suitable for families with children to splash around and breathe fresh air.
• Qinglianggu: A top summer destination for water fun, featuring high-altitude glass rafting (gentle) and mountain rafting (thrilling), along with a glass walkway and waterfall clusters. The all-inclusive ticket offers great value.

• Yunlongjian: You can take an extra-long mountain cable car to overlook Miyun Reservoir. Wanghutai is the best spot for reservoir views, and the high tree-shade coverage makes it suitable for an easy hike.

Local Food and Characterful Stays

When visiting Miyun, reservoir fish and farmhouse dishes are must-tries. For accommodation, choose a mountain-view homestay or a resort hotel depending on your needs.

• Beijing Bay Half Mountain Hotel: A resort hotel built along the mountainside, featuring hillside hot springs, a kids’ club, and plenty of family-friendly activities. It is ideal for a relaxing family weekend.

• Sunshine Valley Family Wooden Cabin Resort Camp: With 180° lake views, a family amusement area, and lawns, it is suitable for couples or families with children looking for a camping-style vacation.
• Impression Yunxi Homestay: Located in Xiwengzhuang Town, it offers constant-temperature hot-spring pools, an intangible-cultural-heritage hot-and-sour noodle experience, and fruit-picking fun. It is pet-friendly and has a soothing environment.
• Homestays Around Gubei Water Town: Options such as Gubei Light Resort Hotel or Chinese courtyard-style homestays make it convenient to pair your stay with a visit to Simatai Great Wall, and the night-view atmosphere is excellent.

Transportation and Pitfall-Avoidance Tips

• Transportation Advice: Driving is the best option. Take the Jingcheng Expressway directly; road conditions are good, but traffic jams are common on weekends, so it is best to set off early. Many scenic areas have winding mountain roads, so new drivers should drive carefully.
• Reservoir Rules: Miyun Reservoir is a water source, so entering the water, fishing, camping, barbecuing, and aerial photography are strictly prohibited. Be sure to follow the rules to avoid fines.
• Travel Tips: During peak season, shuttle buses at scenic areas such as Yunmeng Mountain can involve long queues, so it is recommended to arrive before 9:00. Prices on the mountain are relatively high, so bring your own water and snacks. The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is large, so bring a light jacket even in summer.
• Food Pitfall Tips: For fish, choose well-reviewed long-standing restaurants on Reservoir Fish Food Street, where prices are clearly marked. Avoid private vendors who solicit customers by the roadside near scenic-area entrances.