Strong New Year Vibes in the Beijing Suburbs During the Spring Festival
Every year during the Spring Festival, gatherings with family and friends are inevitable, but hosting at home year after year can feel a bit ordinary. As a result, vacationing in the suburbs of Beijing has become the top choice for many city dwellers. Celebrating the New Year in the outskirts is all about the lively atmosphere and the warm, festive spirit of rural life. There are traditional “Erba Banquets,” century-old “Lianqiao Rice,” opera performances, bustling rural markets, and a wide variety of delicious foods such as chrysanthemum feasts and tofu banquets. In addition to these, you can also hand-pick bright red and sweet strawberries in greenhouses, getting a taste of the harvest season early in the New Year. Soak in hot springs, enjoy farm-style banquets, have cozy spots for conversation, and comfortable places to stay — family and friends can bond closely without disturbing one another. You get to savor wild mountain delicacies without lifting a finger. Why not give it a try?
In previous years, most holiday resorts in the Beijing suburbs were closed during the Spring Festival, but this year is different. Currently, at least three resorts in Huairou District have confirmed they will be open for business: Farmhouse No. 0001 in Guandi Village, Laomo Mountain Villa, and Changyuan Fish Farm. “New Year’s Eve dinner bookings are completely full,” said Ma Junhui. “Many villages host traditional folk activities, such as the Changshao Ying New Year Goods Market on January 14, or the traditional blessing events at Hongluo Temple from the first to the sixth day of the lunar New Year. These will feature traditional acrobatics and folk music performances, as well as lantern riddles and other activities.”
Heading to the suburbs of Beijing is no longer just a last-resort weekend leisure option for city folks — during the final days of the year, it reflects people's longing for the traditional flavors of the New Year. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong, better or worse, when it comes to travel — it’s all about feeling at ease, having fun, and truly relaxing.