Stretching approximately 130 kilometers from the Baihebao Reservoir through Huairou to the Miyun Reservoir, the river canyon can be roughly divided into three sections based on the districts it passes through:
1. Upper Section:Within Yanqing County, from the Baihebao Reservoir to the eastern county boundary at Dishuihu, approximately 47.2 km
2. Middle Section:Within Huairou District, from the Yanqing boundary to the mouth of the Yunmeng Fairyland Gully, approximately 48.4 km
3. Lower Section:Within Miyun County, from the mouth of the Yunmeng Fairyland Gully to the Baihe Bridge at the northwest corner of the Miyun Reservoir, approximately 34.3 km
(All distances are based on track measurements)
Each of the three sections has its own unique scenery:
(1) The upper section in Yanqing is the most scenic part of the White River Canyon, known as the Hundred-Mile Landscape Gallery. Entering the canyon from the Baihebao Reservoir Dam heading east, you can immediately appreciate the canyon’s grandeur—nearly 100-meter-high cliffs cut through the surging waters of the White River like swords, while the majestic Ming Dynasty Great Wall winds through the mountains. The cliffs tower on both sides, and mountain springs converge into powerful rapids. The stunning natural scenery is truly awe-inspiring.
(2) The middle section in Huairou is relatively wider and also benefits from substantial investment by the Huairou government. The route features a long, narrow valley promoted by Baoshan Town Government extending northwest from Baoshan Town. The gully includes attractions such as Xuan Yun Temple, Chaoyang Cave, Daodekeng, Siwopu, and Longmen Store, with nearby high peaks like Yangpo Gaodian, Ping’anliang, Zhengzuo, Bagushan, Hou Ding, Pingdingshan, and Maozhen Mountain ideal for climbing. There are also sights like the Baihe Bay and Qing Shi Ling film base along the Jingjia Highway, which also served as one of the filming locations for the movie "Let the Bullets Fly."
(3) The lower section in Miyun lies at the northeastern foot of the Yunmeng Mountains. With deep valleys and steep cliffs on both sides, it boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the White River Canyon. Climbing to the viewing platform along the Liuxin Road, you can take in the sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the winding White River—an incredibly beautiful sight. The 4 km stretch of river eastward from Zhangjiafen towards Penghewan Scenic Area offers towering mountains, open waters, and lush greenery, making it perfect for leisurely hiking and camping.
Hiking Routes
Upper Section: Total distance approximately 47.2 km
① From the southern end of the Baihebao Reservoir Dam → Longtan Bay Tunnel → entrance of Badagou Village → east of Gangu Village → Liu Bin Bao junction on Lanchi Road, total approx. 11.5 km
② Liu Bin Bao junction → Dayao Village → Hexi Village → south of He Kou Bridge → Panzi Ridge Village junction → Pai Zi Ling Village junction → Qianjiadian intersection, total approx. 16.5 km
③ Qianjiadian intersection → Shangdelongwan → Gujiayao junction → Xiadelongwan Village → south of Shangnaishan Village → south of Xianaishan Village → Caimugou Village → Zhaoshanwa Village junction → Dishuihu junction → Yanqing-Huairou highway boundary, total approx. 19.2 km
△ Reference route map. Download the “LiuZhiJiao” app, search for 384100, and you can view the route track provided by @Bailixi.
Middle Section: Total distance approximately 44.2 km
① Yanqing-Huairou highway boundary → Ximao Shan Village → Pandaogou Village → Baoshan Town Government → Zhuannian Village → Gezitang Village → south of Ximaowan Village → H11 bus stop at Tanghekou, total approx. 25.4 km
② H11 bus stop at Tanghekou → south bridgehead of Da Huangtang Village → Baihe Riverside Park sign → west of Houanling Village → mountain ridge saddle southeast of Houanling Village → front gate of Tianyuanji Resort → west bridgehead of Baihe North Village, total approx. 12.8 km
③ West bridgehead of Baihe North Village → entrance of Qing Shi Ling Village → southern toll bridge of Qing Shi Ling Village → western iron bridge of the pyramid-shaped holiday cabins → northern end of the “Let the Bullets Fly” railway tracks → southern end of the “Let the Bullets Fly” railway tracks → mouth of the Yunmeng Fairyland Gully at Baihe, total approx. 6 km
△ Reference route map. Download the “LiuZhiJiao” app, search for 693444, and you can view the route track provided by @Bailixi.
Lower Section: Total distance approximately 30.2 km
① Mouth of the Yunmeng Fairyland Gully → Baihe Xiwanzicun junction → Sihetang Bridgehead, total approx. 6.8 km
② Sihetang Bridgehead → west entrance of Qinglongbei Village → west entrance of Jiayu Village → under the south bridge of Jiayu Village → east of Erpingtai Village → northwest of Zhangjiafen → southeast dam at Zhangjiafen, total approx. 10.3 km
③ Southeast dam at Zhangjiafen → Xiaoling Power Station in Miyun County → west of Tashan Village → Penghewan Scenic Area → Shatuozi Village → north end of Kuantu Road → east of Wudaling Village → Liangpingtai Village → east corner of Erdaohe Tunnel → entrance of Jingjingding → Daguan Bridge → Baihe Bridge, total approx. 13.1 km
△ Reference route map. Download the LZF app, search for 707951, and you can view the route track provided by @BailiXi.
Transportation
It should be noted that the transportation methods for the three sections are slightly different:
Upper Section:Take the 919 Express Bus from Deshengmen to Yanqing Dongguan, get off and walk north one stop to the “Guyuhe Street South” bus stop, then transfer to Bus 875 and get off at Yanzhuangzi or Dongbaimiao. Walk north along the road, pass Heiyukou, cross the mountain, and head northeast for 12 km to the southwest corner of Baihebao Reservoir to start hiking;
Middle Section:Take the 916 Express Bus from the Dongzhimen Bus Hub to Huairou Yangjiayuan Station, get off and walk 50 meters south, then turn left and go east to Yujiaoyuan Bus Stop. Transfer to H11 Bus to Tanghekou. Along the way, you can get off at stations such as Baichazi, Qian’anling, Liangtou (Hou’anling), Tanghekou Town Maquan, Xiaohuangtang, Dahuangtang, and Tanghekou. From Baichazi, you can follow the Liuxin Road to Dongyu Village, then head north to Qingshilin, or continue east to Sihetang. From Qian’anling, follow the Liuli River to Baihe Canyon and reach Baihe North Village by the river. Liangtou and subsequent stations are all located along the Baihe River;
Lower Section:Take the 980 Express Bus from the Dongzhimen Bus Hub to Miyun Grand Theatre Station, get off, and transfer to Mi63 Bus at the parking lot in the northeast corner of the intersection to Qinglianggu Station. Walk west along the Baihe River to reach Qingshilin (you can also go east from Baichazi along Liuxin Road to Dongyu Village and then north). This bus stops at stations by the Baihe River such as Erpingtai, Shangzhangfen, Xiazhangfen, Jingdong Diyi Pu (Tianmen Shan), Erdaohe (Jingjingding), Heilongtan (Daguanqiao), and Beishicheng (south of Baihe Bridge). Alternatively, transfer to Mi60, Mi61, or Mi62 Bus to Heilongtan Bus Stop, walk north along Liuxin Road past the Jingjingding gate, then take the east fork about 31 km north of the Liuxin Road signpost and descend to the riverbed to hike upstream along the stream.
Tips
1. The grilling season is from April to October each year. You can bring your own tools and food to grill nearby, but if there has been continuous heavy rain, it’s best not to go due to potential mudslides. Generally, it’s okay if the rain was not continuous.
2. The upper section of the Baihe Canyon is too far from the city center; it’s almost impossible to do a one-day round-trip by bus (unless you arrange a round-trip by chartered car). At least two days of hiking should be planned.
3. The Let the Bullets Fly filming site allows camping, but please strictly follow the regulations within the scenic area and camp only at designated spots assigned by the staff.
4. Even when the sun is high at noon, the river and stream water are very cold. Avoid reckless actions to prevent cramps.
5. There are many mosquitoes near the water; be prepared to prevent mosquito bites.
6. Along the route, the scenic areas and villages all have guesthouses and resorts, most of which mainly serve farmhouse meals. There are also “nongjiale” (rural homestays) that offer lodging at reasonable prices. If you’re not camping, these are good options to consider.
7. There are no gas stations in the mountainous areas along the route. If you’re driving, be sure to calculate fuel consumption before setting off.
The weekend is coming soon. If you haven’t decided where to go yet, why not take a trip to the Baihe Canyon?