Thick Forests of Yunmeng Mountain

Yunmeng, dubbed "Little Huangshan," is located on the border of Miyun and Huairou counties. It is a national forest park and is ideal for treks in the summer, when the scent fresh leaves assails the senses.

Its biggest attractions are the "Wonders of the Three Seas": seas of forests, clouds and flowers, which are a rare sight around Beijing. The temperature in the mountain, which has a 90ercent forest cover, averages 20 to 24 C, so visitors will feel comfortable even in the height of summer.

One route to the peak is from Yunmeng Mountain Gorge, past Dingdong pond, Juxian pond, Baihua pond and Bulao Dam. If you have no plan to conquer the mountaintop, you can just walk across the forest littered with streams, pines and gorges.

Backpackers recommended two abandoned courtyards to picnic. No one has lived in the area for years, but the buildings are still in good condition. There are open spaces inside and outside the courtyards, which are also suitable for camping. Not far from the buildings are a brook and a creek where campers can get water for washing up.

Only Bus 936 Subline travels all the way to Yunmeng Mountain stop. Alternatively, visitors can drive along Jingcheng Expressway to Huairou, then go by National Highway 111 to reach the foot of the mountain.