Huairou lies 50 kilometers north of Beijing's center, where sections of the Great Wall stretch across forested mountains. You can walk the stone steps of Mutianyu's 23 watchtowers, see parts of the Great Wall submerged in Huanghuacheng's reservoir, or ring the bronze bells at the 1,600-year-old Hongluo Temple. Beyond the wall, you'll find movie studios, chestnut orchards, and hiking paths around Yanqi Lake.
Getting to Huairou
From central Beijing, take bus 916 express from Dongzhimen station to reach Huairou in about 90 minutes. For a faster option, board the bus at Houshayu station on Subway Line 15, which reduces travel time to one hour. The new Beijing-Shenyang high-speed railway stops at Huairou South station in Yangsong Town.
Exploring the Great Wall
The Mutianyu section spans mountain ridges with 23 watchtowers along its length. Take bus H24 from Huairou Beidajie station to the fourth parking lot to reach the wall. At Huanghuacheng, you can see sections of the wall partially submerged in the reservoir's waters, creating an intersection between the ancient stone structure and the lake.
Natural Areas
At Qinglong Gorge, you can hike along mountain streams and climb to the Jade Emperor Pavilion for views of the surrounding peaks. Walk the paths around Yanqi Lake at the base of Yanshan Mountain, or explore the 2.3-square-mile Yougu Shentan area with its waterfalls and rock formations carved by centuries of erosion.
Film Industry Hub
More than 400 film companies work in Huairou, including China Film Group studio and Stellar Megamedia studio. You can visit the Beijing Vintage Car Museum, which supplies vehicles for period films. These studios produce both Chinese and international movies throughout the year.
Seasonal Activities
Visit the flower displays at Mutianyu Great Wall and Hongluo Temple from April 15th to May 15th. Join chestnut harvesting between September 15th and October 30th. In winter, ski at the local resorts, while summer activities include swimming at Caribbean Lagoon WaterPark and hiking the mountain trails.
Local Agriculture
Walk through orchards of chestnut trees, walnut groves, and pear farms at Huisheng and Lvhu picking gardens during harvest time. Mountains cover 89% of the district, and forests grow on 69% of the land, creating clean mountain air that earned Huairou its nickname as Beijing's "oxygen bar."
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