All four seasons come and go — after spring, summer, and autumn, winter finally arrives. Winter is a season of rest and recuperation, a time of quiet solemnity, yet also one of ignited passion. Without the lush greenery of the other seasons, the pines and cypresses of Yanqi Lake seem to deepen in hue, standing even more majestic and solemn under the sunlight. The lake water remains crystal clear and transparent, visible to the bottom. When the cold wind blows, the shimmering ripples exude a calm serenity. In such a season, snow becomes nature’s finest ornament. This year, nature played a trick on the people of Beijing — as the depths of winter approached, not a single snowflake had fallen. For a winter without snow, come to the Yanqi Lake Ice and Snow Festival — we've got a wonderland where you can admire and play with the snow.
A snow-white square spanning nearly a thousand square meters shines brilliantly under the winter sun, offering a full range of entertainment activities to unleash all your passion. Competitive games at the entrance ensure you’ll win prize after prize, while the free snow maze and snow ball pit are the favorites of children. The Manchu-style street flutters with colorful flags, a dreamy place for artistic souls to let their imaginations roam. The Olympic knowledge corridor not only enriches your understanding of the Olympics but also fills you with pride in being Chinese. Most importantly, all these activities take place at Yanqi Lake — in this vast oxygen bar closest to Beijing. Imagine enjoying the faintly sweet air rich in negative ions amidst nature, having fun joyfully and meditating quietly. That’s what life is all about.
On the calm waters arrive five distinguished guests — yes, those graceful walkers, with their slowly gliding long black necks and red beaks, are none other than the precious black swans. At times they stroll leisurely, at others they flap their wings and skim the water’s surface. Their noble head-raising and elegant head-lowering, moving gracefully across the water. The moment their wings spread, it's just to leave a fleeting glimpse for your camera. Native to Australia, black swans prefer habitats with excellent water quality. Perhaps on their southward migration, missing the beautiful mountains and waters of Yanqi Lake, they couldn’t bear to leave and turned back to join in the fun of the ice and snow festival.
As the old saying goes, “Plant a phoenix tree, and you’ll attract a golden phoenix.” Today, Yanqi Lake, through years of dedicated environmental management, has won the favor of black swans. This backyard of Beijing, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with nearly 90% forest coverage, perennially free from sandstorms, and moist air all year round, has drawn global attention. If Yanqi Lake is a natural oxygen bar bestowed upon the people of Beijing by nature, then the years of maintenance and governance by the park authorities are the umbrella protecting this great oxygen haven.
In winter, aside from gathering around a stove for heartwarming chats or an earthen brazier, you can also enjoy the unique character of nature — witness the purity of snow, admire the elegance of black swans, ignite your passion in snow and ice activities, and revel in family joy amid children’s laughter. The Yanqi Lake Ice and Snow Festival offers you all the happiness that winter should bring.