Yanqi Lake

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Yanqi Lake, located at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, Huairou District, a northeast suburb of Beijing, is about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from the city center. Open to the public since 1987, the lake features wonderful waterscapes and colorful aquatic amusements. Proving popular with locals and tourists, it achieved the national 4A scenic spot ranking in 2001.

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Yanqi Lake is split into the east and west lakes. With a water surface area of 275,000 square yards (230 hectares), it has more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) of shoreline.

Embraced by rolling mountains from three sides - Jundu Mountain in the north, Hongluo Mountain in the west, and Jindeng Mountain in the east -- Yanqi Lake is just like an emerald set in a verdant valley. The Hefangkou Great Wall follows its northern ridges. Its advantageous location and perennial vegetation coverage of up to 90% endow the whole area with a mild and moist climate, as well as pleasant scenery. The lake’s lush aquatic plants create a favorable eco-environment, attracting flocks of birds like wild geese, swans and cranes in spring and autumn; giving rise to the name Yanqi, literally the wild geese’s habitat.

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The waterfront scenic area is to the northwest of the lake’s entrance. Hundreds of willows and poplar trees decorate it, providing good shade. There’s also the Lakeview Pavilion where visitors can appreciate the beauty of the lake and at the same time enjoy the peace and quiet of the setting sun.

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For visitors who prefer mountain hiking, there is a sightseeing area to the southwest of the lakefront. In spring and summer, dense vegetation turns this area into a paradise. In autumn, the vegetation turns flaming red. Visitors can see the Hefangkou Great Wall seeming to float along the surrounding mountains. Green ripples, abundant flowers and fertile grasslands provide a favorable place for sketching. Moreover, collecting specimens of plants and insects may interest some visitors.

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There are two main entertainment areas to keep guests busy. One located to the west of the entrance provides water-theme activities such as speedboats and dragon boats. The other, located to the northwest of the entrance, offers more adventurous and exciting amusements, such as water skiing, a flume ride, rock climbing and bungee jumping.

Other supporting facilities can be found at the west part of the lake. The international conference center on the western bank was the venue for the 2014 APEC meeting. This area houses the Yanqi Lake restaurants, which provide various types of Chinese cuisine such as hot pot and barbecue.