See Beijing's Rare Mountain and Water Scenery, Savor Shidu's Specialty Dishes, and Stay at the Popular Yingbin Farmstay – That's the Real Experience!

For many domestic travelers, when talking about Beijing's tourist attractions, the usual suspects are Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Badaling Great Wall. Indeed, as representatives of ancient Chinese architecture, these sites embody the pinnacle of historical culture and visual beauty. But beyond these man-made masterpieces, the natural wonders that surround Beijing are equally part of its allure.

Among them, one landscape scenic area, with its unique physical geography, is hailed as the 'Little Guilin' of the capital. So what exactly makes this place so special? Follow along as we explore!

That place is Shidu Scenic Area. Shidu enjoys a temperate, semi-humid continental climate with warm winters and cool summers, an average annual temperature of 11.2°C, and annual precipitation of 687.5 mm. The climate is pleasant and water quality is excellent. As the Juma River flows through the area, humidity is relatively high, air quality is superb, and it meets the highest standards of cleanliness. Rich in negative oxygen ions, it is known as a 'natural oxygen bar and natural air conditioner.'

Far from the county seat and free of any industrial pollution, the air and water here are pure. Its location is superb, forming a stunning landscape in southwest Beijing — the green and beautiful Shidu Scenic Area. Biodiversity is rich, vegetation coverage reaches 82%, making it a perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

The nickname 'Little Guilin' naturally comes from its mountain and water scenery. It’s hard to imagine a large-scale natural landscape like this in the capital, but Shidu breaks that stereotype. It not only offers Beijing locals an excellent choice for outdoor getaways but also injects a refreshing green heart into a city often short on natural vistas. Sharing similar karst landforms and breathtaking views with Guilin, it truly deserves the name.

Shidu’s steep peaks and dense ravines create a dramatic and imposing beauty reminiscent of Zhangjiajie. Though it may lack Zhangjiajie's fame and variety, the visual impact they offer visitors is evenly matched, neither outshining the other. Join us as we experience Shidu’s fun, food, and lodging.

1. Let Loose and Have Fun

1.1 Juma River Rafting

Rafting here makes use of ancient natural riverbeds in the Taihang Mountains, skillfully framed by cliffs, giant boulders, and old-growth forests. It presents a magnificent, mysterious, and awe-inspiring natural spectacle. The entire course spans over 3,000 meters, with a rafting time of over an hour – enough to bring the greatest joy. Amid steep mountains and crystal waters, waterfalls and springs, under the blue sky and white clouds, you dance with the water under the bright sun.

1.2 Live CS Battle

Shidu Live CS Battle brings the popular online game CS (Counter-Strike) into reality, offering military game enthusiasts a genuine battleground. Multiple complex field combat zones have been set up, providing a great environment for those passionate about wargames and a new concept in outdoor activities. While experiencing the thrill of military life, participants also uncover their potential, boost confidence, enhance team cohesion, and foster a positive sense of competition and cooperation.

1.3 Shidu Bungee Jumping, the First in China

Especially the double-platform bungee jump – truly the world's first. So far, the company has safely welcomed over 470,000 daredevils. It has also successfully hosted the first National High-Altitude Bungee Jumping Invitational Tournament, organized by the General Administration of Sport of China and the Mountaineering Sports Management Center, and undertaken by Beijing Juma Entertainment Co., Ltd. This stands as the world’s largest bungee tournament with the most participants, broadest reach, and highest competitive level to date.

1.4 Shidu Oath Glass Skywalk

As one of the core scenic spots of Shidu World Geopark, the Oath Glass Skywalk is located in Xizhuang Village, Shidu Town, with excellent location and convenient transportation. It is the first scenic area in Shidu themed around a skywalk. Covering over 1,200 mu, the main peak rises more than 800 meters above sea level. The environment is gorgeous, filled with flowers, plants, and fruit trees. Here you can marvel at unique rock formations, enjoy the scents of birdsong and blossoms, and from the summit, take in layers of mountain ridges and the shimmering river below. With thoughtfully designed walking routes and plenty of engaging leisure activities, you’ll find it hard to leave!

1.5 Julongwan Scenic Area

Julongwan is located in Zhaqiao, Wujin, in the southwestern part of Wujin, on the shores of Lake Gehu. Zhaqiao boasts a beautiful natural environment, with a well-connected network of roads like Hubin Avenue, Wujin Avenue, Xinchangcao Highway, Wuyi Road, and Qianzhai Highway, making both land and water transport fast and convenient. Known as the 'land of fish and rice' south of the Yangtze, Zhaqiao is a major agricultural and aquatic town in Wujin, as well as a famous manufacturing base and one of the region's most developed towns.

2. Taste Shidu's Specialty Dishes and Stay at the Popular Yingbin Farmstay

Once a place with rapid currents that gave the ferry crossings their name, farmstays here are built among the hills, and residents settle around the water. The villagers love their hometown, and nestled here is Shidu Yingbin Farmstay.

Stepping into Yingbin Farmstay, a faint floral scent greets you. Flowers are now a part of the courtyard's charm. The courtyard is warmly and cleanly arranged, as if swallowed by blossoms in an almost surreal beauty. Here you can read, sip tea, and savor wine, listening to the chirping of birds – life is delightfully relaxed! Overlooking the lush fields and blooming mountain flowers, right here at Yingbin Farmstay in Shidu, the poetic dream of a simpler life becomes reality.

Beijing Shidu Yingbin Farmstay sits right on the banks of the Juma River in Shidu, close to the Oath Glass Skywalk and Shidu Bungee Jumping at Juma Paradise, and about 50 meters from the Pingxi Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall. With extremely convenient transport, it lies right in the heart of the Shidu Scenic Area. There are 24 guest rooms, accommodating up to 80 people. Room types include: Leisurely Time Family Room, Warm Mountain Residence Family Room, Scenic Multi-Bed Room, Elegant Mountain View Triple Room, Joyful Garden Family Room, and Mountain-View Twin Room. All rooms come with air conditioning, TV, hot water, and private bathroom. Unlike ordinary hotels, the decor here is comfortable, immaculate, and brimming with a lived-in warmth.

Everyone who comes here feels like a long-lost wanderer returning home, as if retreating to the mountains. Each dish at Yingbin Farmstay is crafted like a work of art, pleasing to the eye. Local wild mushrooms, like pine mushrooms, are freshly picked and especially nourishing. The flavors carry the taste of the mountain soil, leaving a memorable aftertaste. The farmstay serves home-style rural cooking with coarse grains, secret-recipe barbecues, grilled rainbow trout, roast whole lamb, sturgeon braised in an iron pot, and chicken stewed with wild mushrooms and other specialty dishes.

A clear spring, a moonlit room – wash away the chaos and let your heart return. At this hidden gem, choose another way of living. Come here, far from the haze, and enjoy tranquility. Slow down and find the original essence of life. Here, start a romance with mountains, clouds, and water; gather with close friends, laugh heartily. Calm your mind, and let a single thought become joy.