The former black mine area has transformed into New Beigou, bringing good news to outdoor enthusiasts who love traveling in southern Fangshan. No need to worry about a one-day trip to Shidu being too monotonous, or putting effort into “pioneering” a brand-new destination. Just follow National Highway 108, stopping and going as you please, taking in the beautiful sights along the northern part of Fangshan—either with your eyes or keeping them in your heart. In addition to one-day tour routes, the newly reopened Beigou has many people, landscapes, and stories you’ve yet to discover, all waiting for travel-loving visitors to uncover.
Red Xiaoyunling
Rich in Revolutionary Heritage
As July and August approach, red tourism enters its traditional peak season. Exploring revolutionary heritage is no longer exclusive to well-known red tourism sites. On the contrary, to avoid the crowds, many travelers are seeking out relatively lesser-known red destinations. In this light, the red-and-green landscapes of Xiaoyunling make it an excellent choice.
The widely known song “Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China” was born here. Therefore, when visiting Xiaoyunling, in addition to reflecting on history at the site of the first Party branch in Fangshan-Laiyuan-Zhuozhou of the Pingxi Anti-Japanese Base, and taking photos in front of the massive 960-square-meter metal national flag, you must also take a moment to quietly soak in the indescribable charm and subtle emotional impact of this simple town that gave birth to this classic revolutionary anthem.
The beauty of red-and-green integration is that after your dose of revolutionary education, you can head with friends to the picturesque Baicaopan for a hike. As the main peak of Baihua Mountain, it not only enjoys the reputation of being the highest peak in southwestern Beijing but is also one of the few scenic spots in the city where you can drive directly to the summit. Over 3,000 acres of subalpine meadows let you fully enjoy summer’s cool pleasures.
Shuiyu Heilongguan
Endless Folk Traditions
Enjoying a quiet escape in ancient villages for a day or two over the weekend is a great way for office workers to unwind after a long week. But places like Xitang and Wuzhen might be out of reach. Still, it would be a shame to miss Shuiyu and Heilongguan, which are just a two-hour drive away.
These two ancient villages from the Ming and Qing dynasties are like two old yet radiant pearls nestled deep within Beigou. Shuiyu Folk Village is favored by travelers craving pastoral charm for its unique experiences such as milling rice, pickling vegetables, and chestnut picking. The vegetable patches and orchards around the windows and courtyards faintly echo the poetic image of “picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, gazing leisurely at the southern mountains.”
The traditional houses in Heilongguan can be considered classics of traditional dwellings in the Dashih River Valley. The entire village has just one street running from south to north, about two li long, with the widest part less than two zhang. Lined along both sides are various courtyards. As a traditional architectural style, Heilongguan’s small quadrangle residences differ slightly from conventional siheyuan, but you can still find traditional carved window lattices, screen walls, or faux screen walls here. Strolling along the winding paths, you might even feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to when the area bustled with people.
Da’anshan Township Off-Roading
A New Paradise for Self-Driving
The “National Self-Driving Tour Activity Base” at Gushanzhai in Shidu is widely renowned, and the unique hilly terrain has long made Fangshan a paradise for off-roading and self-driving enthusiasts.
It’s worth mentioning that since the opening of the National Highway 108 bypass, Beigou will add another exciting chapter to the region’s mountain racing scene. Reportedly, Da’anshan Township’s “Beijing Chacha Line” and “The World’s Steepest Slope” have become favorite routes for off-road vehicle enthusiasts and the annual meeting base for the Beijing Chapter of the Off-Road E-Club. Next year, more professional and international racetracks will be developed here.
With the goal of becoming a national all-mountain sports resort, Da’anshan Township not only enriches suburban event-based tourism but also fills the gap in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region for large-scale tourism destinations themed around “off-roading sports.” The township plans to launch the “Mountain Heroes” car rally event in early September this year. This event will feature two simultaneous competitions—the “World’s Steepest Slope” Challenge and a drift race on public roads—combining various forms of motorsport such as rallying, traction, and off-roading.