In my family, celebrating milestones is very important. I just completed fourth grade at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).
Our family loves to explore the world! When my dad asked, “Where would you like to go when school’s out?” I wasn’t sure at the moment, but a few days later, I had the perfect answer: camping.
I enjoy living in the city, but just like how many children like candy, if they have too much candy, then they get sick of it. It was the same with city life. So I decided it would be nice to explore the countryside. But there was only one problem . . . MOM.
My mom can’t go a single night without the following objects: bathroom, hair dryer, skin care, and other stuff that she insists are essential, while I find myself questioning, “But are they really?” There is nothing wrong with this; it is the way of the world. But believe me when I say that it is the toughest thing in the world to convince the lady in my family to go camping. So instead of dragging my mom kicking and screaming, we came up with a compromise. Dad booked a glamping (glamorous camping) site for us, fully furnished with our own bathroom and toilet. Perfect to convince my mother to come along.
Beijing Toye Glamping is only a 1.5-hour car ride from Beijing. There are many glamping choices to choose from, ranging from basic tents, deluxe recreational vehicles, space capsule starships, to large tents.
Our campsite was a large tent on a wooden plank. It looked over the treetops and mountain ranges, giving the perfect view of the horizon. Beautiful sunsets could be clearly seen over the rustic balcony. We had a nice private bathroom and conveniently provided chairs and a table. The campsite also had a playground, a lake and many other things that would make visitors have an enjoyable time.
The campsite also had a cute little garden cafe that sold nice coffee and drinks. The garden made me feel like it was straight out of Alice in Wonderland. With cute tea tables, lovely benches, and water features, it was perfect for enjoying a nice summer day. Overall, the campsite was a lovely place to enjoy a break from the chaos of Beijing.
My Dad had reserved this glampsite because it was near many historical places, making it easy to go sightseeing. But let’s rewind: Before we even got to the camp, we visited the Ming Tombs.
The Ming Tombs, the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming dynasty, are a collection of mausoleums built by the Ming emperors. It is a UNESCO heritage site and the ticket price is RMB 98 per adult and RMB 22 per child. This gets you access to everything there. At the Ming Tombs, there was a long walkway with marble statues of different animals along each side of the path. This is the Sacred Path. If you are not a history person, as I am, skip this one.
We also visited the Longqing Gorge, roughly 25 minutes away. This gorge includes a boat ride, toboggan sledding, and gondolas. If you are visiting in winter, there will Ice Lantern Festival similar to one in Harbin. To get to the top of the dam, there is an escalator in the shape of a dragon. The top of the dam is where you can begin your boat ride adventure. The entrance fee was RMB 140 per adult and RMB 100 per kid, which included the boat ride, but not the gondola. That was another RMB 68 per person for both kids and adults.
At the end of the gondola ride, you will be near the highest peak of the gorge. There is a nice hike up the mountain. Along the hike, you will encounter a temple, a convenience store and a piece of Chinese history. There is a magic basin on the side of the temple. This basin is special because it is said that the water was provided by the gods, and that is why, even in the worst droughts, the water never drains or evaporates. In all, nature lovers are recommended to come here.
But my favorite sightseeing place was the Guyaju cave dwellings. These caves had been hand-carved out of the mountains! The Guyaju cave dwellers are a bit of a mystery because nobody knows who lived in the caves. Though the Guyaju caves were grand and magnificent, beware the hike. The hike took approximately 30 minutes! My piece of advice: Bring an umbrella and lots of water. Luckily, there are many little tables along the mountain for a rest stop. Also, the cave dwellings are the perfect place for little story makers. I tried making a short story based on the mystery of the cave dwellers. These caves are a perfect way to explore the history of China.
So, there you have it! Our memorable trip through isolated China. And in case you’re wondering, my city-loving mom actually enjoyed the glamping!
Find it:
Get in touch with Toye Clamping on WeChat at WeChat ID: ty15652031788. As is the case with anything travel-related, prices may vary depending on the time of year.
Images: Clark Yap
