While picnicking was more of a desperate solution than a choice for the last month, for this blog I’m talking about an entirely different picnicking experience in the wilder side of Beijing. Imagine this — you’re out in nature, surrounded by mountains, with a babbling brook running beside you and blue sky above, sitting on a picnic mat piled with fresh vegetables, homemade baba ghanoush, and a pitcher of icy sangria … Isn’t that idyllic?

That picture became a reality for me, a small group of friends, and our two fur babies in late May when the lockdown imposed in the capital become too much to bear and we just had to get out for a spell. Luckily for us, there are plenty of picnic-friendly spots outside of the city that were not subject to Covid measures. Cesar, a popular name in expat-friendly tours, put the whole thing together for us, including getting the driver and preparing a scrumptious picnic lunch.

Our driver, Peter, is a local who used to be a tour guide and driver for expats, and so he spoke English fairly well. He picked us up promptly at 8am in a clean and spacious six-seater and drove us out of the urban landscape of Beijing towards the green mountains. Our destination was Bailishan in Yanqing District, north of the city, about three hours’ drive away. Since the only baby I had that day was content to simply lay at my feet, just the quiet drive along rice fields in the countryside was already a reward in itself.

Being very knowledgeable about the local scenic spots, Peter made sure to stop at any points of interest, including some UNESCO sites of natural wonders and well-preserved landmarks. Some of these spots were fairly untouched and required a bit of trekking to get to, while others were visible right from the roadside and frequented by many locals as well. I was particularly intrigued by this rock in the middle of nowhere inscribed with “Smile At Life” — in English no less!

After a leisurely drive, we arrived at what was clearly a well-known area for picnicking. Several cars were parked and day tents dotted the grassy banks by the small river. Music and the smell of barbecue wafted through the air. We chose a poo-free spot and lay out the picnic mat and floor cushions Peter provided. My dog was absolutely thrilled to just stretch her legs and sniff to her heart’s content. She even drank the water from the river, which helped assure me of its purity, because she tends to be fussy.

PRO TIP: Put some tea tree essential oil on a bandana for your dog to keep them from bringing home some nasty little “pets”

Cesar had prepared quite the spread for us, even catering to the vegetarian requirements of a couple of people in our party. There were garlic sausages, pasta salad, and my pick of the picnic — super tasty pork tacos. There was cold lemon water and chilled sangria for all. After we ate our fill, we wandered around while Peter packed up. It was like glamping, where you get all the fun of the outdoors and none of the work!

Further along the road, Peter dropped us off at the start of a wooden walking trail that stretched for about 2km. It ran parallel to the river so we saw a gaggle of geese and a brood of ducks cooling off in the water as we enjoyed our stroll. We breathed the fresh air and bathed in the glorious sunshine along the way. By the time Peter picked us up at the end of the trail, we were ready to return home – tired, but absolutely rejuvenated from our little jaunt on the wild side of Beijing.

Cesar also offers family-friendly tours, walking tours, and bike tours. Add him on WeChat (ID: cesarcasellas) and book a tour today!

KEEP READING: Overnight Summer Camps: Magic Academy + Mountain Camp

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Peter Zhao