hikes – Beijing Kids

Family Hikes: Where Spring Blooms Meet Imperial Grandeur

Admin — Tue, 06 May 2025 01:20:59 +0000

This Beijing Family Hikes series features kid-friendly hikes in rhythm with the seasons. Spring blooms and fall foliage, wild swims in summer and frozen rivers in winter – we handpick trails that celebrate seasonality and explore Beijing’s ecological and cultural heritage.

“Reading ten thousand books is not as useful as traveling ten thousand miles,” an old proverb goes. Indeed! I wrote earlier about the many benefits of hiking with kids along with tips provided by trusted guide Steven Zhang of Steven’s Hikes, who has trekked thousands of miles across China.

This spring, Steven has selected three trails in and around Beijing where early blooms meet echoes of imperial grandeur – perfect for sparking young imaginations. One is a perennial favorite within city limits; the other two venture further afield. Read on for highlights of each trail, plus ideas on upping the fun factor through scavenger hunts, storytelling, and more.

Give these a go, and if you’d like to share your family’s adventures, we’d love to see your notes and snaps! For information on guided tours, contact Steven on WeChat via the QR code below.Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest (Yínshān Tǎlín, 银山塔林)

Location: Changping District
Drive time: about 1.5 hours from Liangmaqiao, Beijing

Option A:

Hiking distance: 9km
Elevation gain: 500m
Difficulty level: L3 (suitable for ages 10+)

Option B:

Hiking distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 300m
Difficulty level: L2 (suitable for ages 7+)

Why Go?

From late March to early April, peach blossoms frame a postcard-pretty backdrop to Silver Mountain’s Fahua Temple ruins. A “pagoda forest” of seven pagoda towers dating back to the Jin dynasty gives kids a captivating glimpse into China’s rich Buddhist history. At its peak, this ancient monastic site housed over ten thousand monks!

Terrain: For a more challenging hike for teens, Steven recommends a longer “off-road” approach from the back of Yinshan (Option A), which follows a rugged, rocky path with sections of steeper gradients. For kids under 10, he suggests a shorter “out-and-back” route from the main gate (Option B) following a paved path. Both routes include climbing stairs to the top platform for a mountain panorama, while on the descent pathway, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the pagoda forest.

Fun Factor: The pagoda grounds’ open area is perfect for running around and turning cartwheels. Play an improvised scavenger hunt of who can find a secret cave with rock art? Which pagoda has elaborate relief carvings? Let kids explore like archaeologists in the ruins or channel their inner Indiana Jones on a temple trek.

Snacks: Enjoy ice cream (bīngqílín 冰淇淋) for the kids, cold beer (bīngpíjiǔ 冰啤酒) for the grown-ups, or a full local meal in the nearby village of Xiangtang.

Price: RMB 20 for adults and RMB 5 for children. Purchase at the ticket counter on-site or book one day in advance via WeChat.

Find it:
Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area
银山塔林风景区
Xihu Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District
昌平区兴寿镇西湖村
Opening hours: 8am-4pm
WeChat: 银山塔林

Qiyin Temple aka “Wild Forbidden City” (Yǎngshān Qíyīn Sì, 仰山棲隱寺)

Location: Mentougou District
Drive time: about 1 hour from Liangmaqiao
Hiking distance: 7km
Elevation gain: 400m
Difficulty level: L2 (suitable for ages 7+)

Why Go?

Imagine the Forbidden City swallowed by forest … in the Taihu Mountains. Over a thousand years old, Qiyin Temple was once a grand royal sanctuary. Destroyed in the Japanese invasion, the site feels frozen in time: Half-standing halls, crumbling stonework, and overgrown paths give it an air of mystery and melancholy, all the more evocative when cherry blossoms appear.

Terrain: While multiple trailheads lead to Qiyin, the child-friendliest route is to start and end at the village of Yingtaogou (樱桃沟). This roughly 7km loop meanders through rocky mountain paths and narrow dirt tracks, with modest elevation gain and a few steep sections. The route is mostly exposed with little shade, and dry bushes can be scratchy, so don long sleeves and long trousers. Watch out for trail forks and occasional loose gravel; good shoes and sun protection are a must. The abandoned temple sits at the midway point, an atmospheric pause in the heart of the hills.

Fun Factor: Bring along a printed photo of the temple from the 1920s and play “then and now” – what’s changed, what’s still there? It’s a low-key way to spark curiosity about history. In late May, pop into one of the cherry orchards on the trail, where, for a small fee, your hungry young hikers can pick and feast on cherries.

Snacks: Enjoy a panoramic picnic with views over the yellow-tiled roofs of the temples at the top of the hill. Yingtaogou village also has a restaurant.

Price: Free

Find it:
Yangshan Qiyin Zen Temple
仰山棲隱禪寺
50 meters north of Yingtaogou Folk Tourism Village, Mentougou District
门头沟区樱桃沟民俗旅游村北50米

Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan Gongyuan, 香山公园)

Location: Haidian District
Drive time: about 30 min from Liangmaqiao
Hiking distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 400m
Difficulty level: L1 (suitable for ages 5+)

Why go? Xiangshan is a serene escape west of the Summer Palace and easily accessible via metro, just one stop past the National Botanical Gardens. True to its name, the spring air in this former imperial garden is sweet with plum blossoms, violet cress, and wildflowers, while towering evergreens provide welcome shade as the days warm up.

Terrain: “Choose your own adventure” among a network of footpaths, from gentle paved steps to steeper, wooded detours. Go up one way and down another, letting kids lead the route (the park is well-signposted). The final ascent gets steeper and less shaded, but the top deck rewards hikers with a pavilion teahouse and sweeping views over Beijing. Dance a summit jig and see who can spot landmarks like the Summer Palace’s vast lake or CBD’s iconic skyline.

Fun Factor: Don’t miss Temple of Azure Clouds (Bìyún Sì, 碧云寺) located at the park’s eastern end, which houses a dizzying 512 Bodhisattva statues! Local lore says to pick a number, then count off the statues – whichever you land on is your protector. A plaque reveals their special powers, and for a few kuai, you can take home a protective amulet card as a souvenir.

Snacks: The Commerce Street along the south gate has a mix of teashops and street food, or get quirky ice creams and chocolates at a Russophile convenience store.

Price:
RMB 10 for adults and RMB 5 for children.

Find it:
40 Maimaijie, Haidian District
北京市海淀区买卖街40号
Metro: Fragrant Hills Station (香山站) on the Xijiao Line
Opening hours: 6am-6.30pm last entry

Images: Uyanga Jaeckels, Tara Fegelein, Steven’s Hikes

Awesome Places Around Beijing for Quality Family Fun

Michelle Zhang — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 07:00:47 +0000

Yay, it’s finally Friday. The clock inches forward, and you prepare to bolt from the office as soon as it hits 5pm. Then you realize that nothing special is planned for the weekend. Nothing special means another Saturday trying to put up with your kid’s tantrums and figuring out where to go with the whole family squabbling. Suddenly, the weekend doesn’t seem that magical anymore, and your head’s already began throbbing from thinking about it. Don’t fret, the travel guru is here! Read on, and you’ll fix up your weekends in no time!

十渡野三坡漂流 White-Water Rafting

Address: Sandu Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 50

Although this is not the Colorado Falls, white-water rafting in the outskirts of Beijing is . This team sport can help your family bond for hours. It gives everyone a chance to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, and your kids can learn about working in a team. Without modern-day distractions like smartphones, you can have much more outdoor bonding fun while overcoming the rapids. So, store away those devices this weekend, book a trip, and prepare to get wet. Word of advice: remember to bring an extra change of clothing because you do not want to walk around afterwards soaking wet.

拒马乐园 JuMa Park

Address: Jiudu Village, Shidu Town, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-6pm, stop entry at 5pm
Approx. Price: Free

Ready for some thrilling outdoor fun? Then this park is made for you. Don’t be fooled by its dull name because this park has it all. The most famous one is the Canyon Flying Man, where you fly off a canyon on an enormous zip line. They also have bungee jumping that goes as high as 48 meters! Talk about adrenaline. Other awesome attractions are cable cars, rock climbing, and even a haunted house! A jam-packed day for all members of the family. While the bigger kids can go all out, the younger kids can enjoy the safer slides. Just remember to bring extra cash since some attractions do require fees.

幸福草莓园草莓采摘 Strawberry Picking

Address: No. 78-81 Planting Greenhouse in North Tugou of Future Science and Technology City
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 171
Phone Number: 185 0059 3598 / 183 0139 2448

Strawberries! The smell of summer and everyone’s favorite fruit. Why not skip the supermarket this time and head straight for a strawberry greenhouse? Taste the fresh red juice right off the vines as a perfect start to summer. And there’s a variety of strawberries to choose from. Go all out for the 1.5kg package or pick 500g worth of the fiery red fruit. Whichever you choose, there’s fun for everyone. The friendly guides there will show you around and take you to greenhouses that cultivate various breeds. So, get out your wellies and be prepared for some down-to-earth harvesting for the weekend! Best of all? Your kids can munch on the already picked strawberries if they’re hungry.

北京凤凰岭 Feng Huang Ling

Address: 19 Fenghuangling Road, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 7am-5.30pm
Approx. Price: RMB 25

Feng Huang Ling, home to the famous Ling Long Tower and Long Quan Temple. One of the most traditional scenic parks located just outside the main city. If you’re down for some Beijing culture and history, take everyone on a scenic hike in the parks. The twisty paths with the blue skies and surrounding greenery will take your breath away. For those kids who say history is boring, drag them along, and the beauty of this park will make them take back their words for sure. Just make sure to bring some sandwiches and fruits since you may be wandering inside this park for quite a long time!

孤山寨风景区 Gu Mountain Scenic Park

Address: Qidu Village South, Shidu Scenic Area, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-5pm, entry stops at 4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 50

Trekking under the forget-me-not blue sky with rays of sunlight shining down on you makes for a perfect weekend. This scenic park offers even more than that too – with gushing waterfalls, gorgeous mountains reaching towards the sky, and peach blossom flowers. Every corner is filled with nature as soon as you step through the gate. You can even rent horses and ride on them from one scenic spot to the next. The light hiking is suitable for young kids as well, so why not take the whole family there for a day in nature? You’ll be surprised to see what the Beijing outskirts can offer.

KEEP READING: This Weekend’s Top Family Events (Jul 3-4)

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 May issue

Hitting the Wall: Hikes to Try Once You’ve Exhausted Mutianyu and Badaling

Admin — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:00:56 +0000

While most of us who live in Beijing are aware that we are extremely lucky to have such close access to a landmark like the Great Wall, there’s no doubt that the shine starts to dull once you’ve visited the busy tourist sections for the nth time. The best way to refresh your passion for the wall is to get off the beaten path and visit one of the so-called “wild,” unrestored sections. We consulted Beijing Hikers’ Hayden Opie to find out what he considers to be the best Great Wall hikes, whether you are looking to get some strenuous exercise or simply see the Great Wall from a different perspective.

For an easier hike: Gubeikou

The Gubeikou Great Wall, located around 130km northeast of Beijing, is divided into two parts: Wohushan and Panlongshan, the two being separated by the Chaohe River. The Panlongshan section is a good choice for an easy walk, as it’s in good condition, and there are relatively few steep ups and downs compared to other parts of the Great Wall. The wall here runs along the top of a ridge, and you’ll enjoy expansive views as you hike. Gubeikou Village has plenty of small shops and restaurants in which to fuel up before and after your hike. To continue your exercise-plus-history experience, check out the three temples in the village just behind the repaired North Gate.
Duration: 6-7km, 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Driver-friendly address: 古北口古长城（密云区古北口镇）This will take you to the ticket office.

See a different side of the wall: Zhuangdaokou to Shuichangcheng

Shuichangcheng – which literally translates to “Water Great Wall” – makes for a nice change from other sections thanks to its slow dip towards a reservoir below. Some parts of the wall in this area are restored, although none to the degree of Mutianyu or Badaling. Begin in the small village of Zhuangdaokou and climb up onto the wall, whereupon you head left and begin your hike. Note that the last, descending section of the wall is crumbling to the point of being impassable, so once you reach this section, look for a path that heads off to the left and follows alongside the wall instead. You start this hike from either end, beginning in Zhuangdaokou or in Shuichangcheng.
Duration: Around 7km, 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (some steep sections)
Driver-friendly address: 撞道口村（怀柔区九渡河镇）

The best place to see autumn leaves: Jiankou

One of the best reasons to get out into the countryside surrounding Beijing in late September-early October is to see all the fantastic colors as the leaves change. The Jiankou Great Wall is a great spot to usher in fall, and is where the inner and outer lines of Beijing’s Great Wall join, wrapping around the ridge lines that surround Xizhazi Village. There are numerous options for varying wall hikes here and many of the trails that lead up to the wall pass through forests of deciduous trees, making for a colorful climb. Stay at one of the hostels in the village – or use Airbnb to book one of the renovated courtyard houses – and spend the weekend exploring.
Duration: Find your way up to the wall on the west side of Jiankou for a 6km, 3-4 hour hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Driver-friendly address: 箭扣（怀柔区雁栖镇旧水坑）

For a challenging day out: The High Tower

In the mountains west of the Badaling Great Wall is a large tower that sits atop a windswept meadow. At 1,440m above sea level, the tower is one of the highest points on the Great Wall in Beijing, and its prominence gives superb views on a clear day. There are two main paths up to the tower: from Huangtaizi Village on the north side of the mountains, and from Changyucheng Village on the south side. The trail from Changyucheng Village is easier to follow and well-maintained, and you’re not quite as likely to run into one of the wild pigs that roam about on the north side of the mountains. Note that this route is aimed at hikers rather than those who specifically want to visit the Great Wall – the only wall you’ll walk is the short stretch just by the tower, although you’ll get fantastic views of it stretching off over the horizon from the top of the tower.
Duration: 13km, 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Tough, there is a 600m ascent on the way up to the High Tower (note that there is also not a lot of shade on this hike)
Driver-friendly address: 长峪城村（昌平区流村镇）This is the suggested starting point for the hike.

While you can hike the wild Great Wall by yourself, we recommend tackling the more challenging sections with a professional hiking or travel company. Popular local organization Beijing Hikers runs regular hikes to all the above destinations. Visit www.beijinghikers.com for more information and to view their schedule.

Need a break from the big smoke? Get Out, with our handy travel guides, right here.

Photos courtesy of Beijing Hikers

From Our Archives: Tips on Hiking with Children

Nimo_Wanjau — Tue, 01 May 2018 05:00:00 +0000

As we clearly move from winter to summer with a brief pit stop by spring, the outdoors beckon. The weekends and holidays will be a nice treat to get away from the normal routine. Whether you want to go with a large group or a small one. Here are tips of getting ready to go for a hike we dug up from our archives.

Many parents are intimidated by the idea of hiking with young children, but that doesn’t have to be the case, according to touring experts Beijing Hikers and Beijing Sideways. Founded in August 2001, Beijing Hikers is an outdoor group founded by hikers for hikers. They organize frequent excursions around Beijing. Beijing Sideways allows visitors to see the city from a motorcycle sidecar with day trips and overnight stays at the Great Wall. Here, both groups offer their tips for trail hiking with kids.

Before the Hike
First, find out if the outing or hike is suitable for kids. At Beijing Hikers, it depends quite a bit on the individual child and whether or not they’re used to being outdoors. The group rates its hikes from 1-5 (1 being the easiest and 5 being the toughest). Try the easiest hikes first to get a sense of where your family fits in on the difficulty scale, then contact Beijing Hikers about the suitability of the hike that you’re interested in.

Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Bring some extra clothes in case the weather isn’t as nice as forecast. In general, hikers should wear loose and light-colored clothing in the summer, with a hat and sunscreen. During the rainy season, take a waterproof outer layer with a change of clothes to leave in the car. In the winter, wear thermal layers, a waterproof outer layer, and a scarf, gloves, and hat to cover any exposed skin. Bring extra warm clothing, just in case.

During the Hike
Always take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your children. This includes staying well-fed and well-hydrated, and having good hiking shoes, so you don’t lose your balance when carrying or helping your kids on the trail.

When hiking with kids, take it easy in the beginning, and add more challenges later. For example, you can repeat the same trails by walking together the first few times, then allowing the kids to range ahead once they’re more familiar with the route. Parents can also set a theme for the outing (e.g. “Our mission is the climb the Great Wall” or “We’re going to look at the autumn colors”) to make things more fun.

For families with younger children, it’s a good idea to set up base at a nice spot and explore the surrounding area from there. Talk to them about what they’re seeing, whether it’s insects, animals, people, or landscapes. Like with any outing, you’ll have to respect or adjust to your child’s napping and eating cycles. “I know that I can have my kids nap in the baby carrier or in the car, if they have their baby seat,” says Beijing Sideways Founder Gael Thoreau. “Our oldest (age 2.5) can skip the nap if we just put her to bed early after the hike.” He says it’s even easier for breastfed newborns, who spend most of their time sleeping and wake up mainly to feed. “My first-born was on the Great Wall at 15 days [old],” recalls Thoreau. “We went there to escape the July heat!”

Find out more here.