Fall is just around the corner and with fall comes the highly anticipated Golden Week, which begins with China’s National Day on October 1 and continues for the rest of the working week.

While most of us are usually out of town during this time anyway, this year we have some added incentive to get out and seek adventure. The week-long holiday also happens to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

Before you consume yourself with excitement for our host country, this holiday also means that much of the capital will be on lockdown as the city prepares for a series of events to celebrate this momentous occasion. The most notable of these is a massive military parade down Chang’an Jie on Oct 1. This event usually results in roads, subways, and many businesses around the city being closed not only on the day of the parade, but periodically in the weeks leading up to it for rehearsals.

So, unless you don’t mind sitting indoors for a majority of the week, then it’s probably best to start planning your escape now. This can be somewhere else in Asia (Bali sounds delightful!), any other city in China, or even back home to visit the fam. But don’t stay here expecting to carry on with your regular day-to-day routine or knock out some items on your Beijing bucket list.

For the last major military parade marking the 70th Anniversary of the War of Aggression Victory Day, there were road restrictions, numerous restrictions on various modes of transport and license plates, and forced closures of bars and restaurants around the city. More info can be found out about that here.

While we can’t confirm if the situation will be the same as we experienced back in Aug-Sep, 2015, steps are already being made to get the capital parade-ready. These efforts will only be made more visible in the weeks to come. So, brace yourselves for impact, and start making travel plans now.

Photo: Wikimedia

On August 22-23, restaurants, businesses, even residential compounds south of the second ring road from Dongzhimen Outer Street to the Forbidden City came to a complete standstill as the military went into full rehearsal for the upcoming parade taking place on September 3. As most roads will be locked down then getting out of town seems like the most favorable option. If you’re from holiday, and are holiday fatigued, which translates to not wishing to book flights then head to these close by yet far enough places we have complied. 

Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing
Located an hour’s drive from the CBD, Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing commonly referred to as Kempinski Yanqi is an luxurious option to consider. There’s a spa and a kids club for ages 4-12 years. Kids can get the chance to learn a new game, get their faces painted, take cooking classes or golf lessons, and more. The area is opened from Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6.30pm.
Good for: single family
Prices: Depends on the room or suite (Call 6961 8888)
Attractions: Yanshan mountain, hiking at the Mutianyu Great Wall, Yanqi Lake, Hongluo Temple, Yanqi Lake Amusement Park, and water rafting at various locations. 

Gubei Water Town
Officially known as Beijing Miyun Gubei Water Town (Simatai) International Tourism Resort is located in Miyun county under the backdrop of the Simatai Great Wall and Yuanyang Lake. The area that has been under renovation since 2010 and was inspired by the historical water Wuzhen Water Town in Southern China. Currently, the area is under soft opening therefore some parts aren’t open to the public apart from the ones listed below and the accommodation area. However, only a few hotels, guesthouses, and B-&-Bs are fully operational and accepting guests. Check Ctrip for a list of the current b-and-b and their rates.
Good for: multi-family groups
Prices: Depends on the type of accommodation
Attractions: the courtyards in the Republic of China, the Water Street, Wolongbao Folk Culture Area, and Tanghe Old Village Area. The closeness to the Great Wall gives visitors hiking options. The water canal has boat rides for a price depending on the type of boat but only some parts are open.

Shan Li Retreats
Situated 90km from Beijing, Shan Li Retreats are breath taking renovated traditional houses offering serene countryside. There are five properties in total: Poshang, Banpo, Qianjia, Shanjiaoxi, and Stone House all located close by each other in the Huangyankou Village. The houses have a living room, fireplace, gardens access, kitchen, and range from one to three bedrooms. The integration of the buildings in the
Good for: Multi-family groups
Prices: RMB 4,500 per night (Poshang); RMB 1,500 per night (Banpo); RMB 3,500 per night (Qianjia); RMB 2,800 per night (Shanjiaoxi); RMB 900 per night per room (Stone House)
Local attractions: Hiking around is the main thing to do with trails marked by the owners.

Commune by the Great Wall
This area was designed by Asian architects and has won numerous architecture accolades, this boutique hotel initially had 12 villas that has now expanded to over 40 villas with replicas of the original 12. There are standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe room, deluxe suite, Great Wall view, and presidential suites. Three to six guest rooms are located in one villa and people share a common living room.
Good for: multi-group
Price: Only know made available by email
Local attraction: the location has private access to an non-restored section of the Great Wall. To cool off, there’s a pool that has a poolside cafe near. There’s a kid’s club in that’s two floors and has a child-sized kitchen used for the cooking classes, complete with tiny aprons and chef’s hats, Popular Kids’ Republic Library and bookstore that holds regular storytelling in English and Chinese, recreation room with a closed, padded play area for babies, a dress-up corner with national costumes (including a flouncy “Russian” dress, American cowboy outfit, and a diminutive Scottish kilt), and separate TV rooms. Child-care is also offered.

Photo: Courtesy of Kempsinski