Jeep’s New Compass Debuts: A Self-Drive Journey Through Beijing’s Fangshan Unearths a Different Side of Life

Having spent over three hundred days a year on the road, lost in the magnificent scenery of my homeland and wandering among glittering high-rises, it had been a long while since I stopped to truly feel life, to experience the Beijing where I’ve lived for over twenty years. So one weekend, behind the wheel of the Jeep New Compass, I headed for the city’s outskirts to steal a few leisurely hours. The suburbs of Beijing were still as beautiful as ever, still so wonderfully unique.

Jeep is a brand that needs no introduction. Its avant-garde looks and its DNA, passed down through the generations, have made it a dream car for so many. The New Compass inherits all the best genes of the family, and the two-tone bodywork makes it even more eye‑catching. The moment the headlights come on, the effect is simply stunning. Full LED automatic headlights come as standard across the New Compass range, and combined with that classic front end, it’s bold and imposing.

The New Compass starts at an official guide price of RMB 139,800 – isn’t it now an easier dream to realise? Besides its breathtaking exterior and excellent power delivery, 78% of the body structure uses high‑strength steel, of which 23% is ultra‑high‑strength 1300 MPa steel. It’s a mobile stronghold of safety.

Hongjing Road, Tanzhe Temple, Dingdu Pavilion

Ziyang Mountain Villa – Yunfu Banshan

The weather forecast in Beijing’s mountains is truly unreliable. Blue skies promised one minute can change the next; rain that was supposed to fall sometimes just doesn’t. The temperature gap between day and night is wide, so long trousers and a jacket are essential.

[Photo Gear]

Panasonic S1H (with adapter for Canon lenses)

Lenses: Canon 16‑35mm, 50mm, 70‑200mm

Lightroom

I hadn’t been to the once familiar Hongjing Road for almost two years. Seeing it again, that winding mountain road I’ve driven countless times stirred a rush of excited nostalgia. As Fangshan District’s internet‑famous road, it has always been a favourite among drivers. Twisting through towering peaks, the natural beauty is as lovely as when I first laid eyes on it.

The trendy graffiti on Hongjing Road had long been erased. Without too much decoration, it’s still captivating. This particular hilltop was once my secret photography spot; two years away and now… it’s been cordoned off. I used to love the majestic sunset here – a scarlet sun sinking slowly behind the layer upon layer of mountains. But not today. The perfectly clear sky simply changed its mind in the mountains.

I had planned to sit on the summit, sip tea, cross my legs and watch the sunset. Yet with a car boot stuffed full of gear, I suddenly lost all appetite for it. Fortunately, that enormous 6.7‑litre boot easily swallows boxes, chairs, a tent, a small table – none of that feels like a burden. Beneath the front centre console there’s even a wireless‑charging cubby. USB ports front and rear are common, but both Type‑A and Type‑C? That’s incredibly considerate. No need for a power bank outdoors – just charge the drone. In the future I might even leave the extra batteries at home.

The New Compass also features a class‑leading FSD adaptive damping system that constantly monitors and senses the road surface. On rough sections, its comfort, stability and handling are more than satisfying. With Active Drive intelligent all‑wheel drive, it switches effortlessly and automatically between city streets and off‑road tracks, plus a selectable all‑terrain mode system – a true delight for road‑trip lovers.

Intelligence shows itself in more ways than one. A full suite of 70 active and passive safety technologies give the New Compass truly outstanding value. Adaptive cruise control, automatic braking when pedestrians or two‑wheelers are detected, lane‑departure warning, auto‑steering correction – these are all immensely practical. I was particularly fond of the forward collision warning and blind‑spot monitoring. Driving in the capital, these two are absolute trump cards, making collision avoidance easier and taking a lot of stress out of the daily commute. The semi‑automatic parking assist means parking is no longer a chore; whether reverse‑bay or parallel, it’s as if a divine hand guides you, executing every manoeuvre perfectly.

Though we missed the sunset and the rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance, a day out is always good cheer. Find a mountain lodge, have a wonderful night’s sleep. That very thought was what allowed me to discover that Fangshan’s homestays have been full of pleasant surprises these past few years.

【Ziyang Mountain Villa】

An old traditional village, reimagined by a designer’s hands, has been transformed into a stunning holiday retreat that made my heart skip. I had thought Ziyang Mountain Villa was just a small hamlet with a decent guesthouse – but it turned out to be so vast you could drive around it for a while. The hurriedly chosen shelter before the rain arrived was also surprisingly close to the Tanzhe Temple and Dingdu Pavilion I intended to visit.

Mountain views and country lanes, elegant classic Chinese architecture – it felt like everything had changed, yet nothing had. It blends seamlessly with its surroundings: serene, quiet, cosy and comfortable. Every dwelling has its own courtyard; it’s just like being at home, far from the mundane world, quietly savouring a leisurely mountain sojourn.

The little courtyard where I stayed, Yunfu Banshan, floats above the dust of the world yet hides halfway up the hill. Autumn’s late‑burning maples, summer’s wisteria – I adore all these exquisitely named flowers and plants that I can’t even identify. The host spent over a hundred thousand yuan bringing them here.

This minimalist courtyard is dotted with greenery and fresh flowers, and the owner has even installed an automatic watering system. Life and technology really are inseparable. The stylish rattan tables and chairs, the charming decorative knick‑knacks all add warmth to the yard, revealing the host’s philosophy of home.

Clearly the owner is someone who loves life and knows how to live it. An open‑air hot spring pool on the ground floor, rest areas everywhere, a rooftop barbecue – it’s perfect for gathering with family and friends. Yunfu Banshan feels like a fairy dream; I just wanted to stay a few more days and uncover more of its surprises.

Breakfast can be taken at the cliff‑side restaurant in Ziyang Mountain Villa. The selection isn’t huge, but it covers both Chinese and Western fare, and everything tastes good. Pleasant mountain views and a tasty breakfast set me up for a full day of energy.

There’s an old saying in Beijing: “First came Tanzhe Temple, then came Beijing.” This imperial temple, with a history of over 1,700 years, is the oldest in the city. White‑bark pines are rare around Beijing to begin with, but this “Anle Pine” in the temple’s Anle Hall courtyard has been standing here since the Ming Dynasty.

“A thousand peaks cradle the greenery” – Tantze Temple sits in Mentougou District, a landscape of scenic beauty surrounded by rolling hills and lush foliage. Inside the temple, ancient cypresses tower everywhere, making the atmosphere even more tranquil and solemn.

From ancient times to the present, Tantze Temple has been a holy place of blessing. In the old days, emperors from almost every dynasty came here to worship Buddha; now it’s a favourite leisure spot for ordinary people. This thousand‑year‑old monastery still thrives with incense. It’s said that if you can toss a coin right into the central bell, good luck will always follow. People never tire of trying – it adds a touch of fun to the traditional act of offering incense.

Everywhere in Tantze Temple you see places to pray: ribbons, wooden plaques, lucky pouches – different forms, all carrying the same wish for happiness and peace. They hang neatly on racks, row after row, line after line, forming a scenery you can’t ignore.

I also love the temple’s wonderful environment. The peonies were in full bloom; clusters and clumps of them flared with colour, their faint fragrance a call of summer. Wild monkeys, too, were active on the temple grounds. They aren’t afraid of people but are friendly, living their lives as they please, greeting the stream of visitors with the air of the true masters of the place.

The imposing Mahavira Hall, five bays wide and crowned with double‑eaved hip roof and yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green, shows off the dignity and grandeur of an imperial temple. Originally named “Jiafu Temple” and founded in the first year of Yongjia in the Western Jin Dynasty, it has weathered many upheavals and calamities. No matter how many times it was renamed, because of the Dragon Pool behind and the Cudrania trees on the hill, people have always called it “Tantze Temple”. Today, it’s a major national heritage conservation site and has regained much of its former glory.

The eaves of traditional Chinese buildings are always adorned with small beasts, and Tantze Temple is no exception. The restored chiwen (dragon‑head ornaments) are exquisitely detailed and lifelike, symbolising protection against fire. Floral patterns, waves, flames and stars – their mythical forms and ornate decorations create a fascinating sight.

To the west of the Mahavira Hall lies the famous Surangama Altar, one of the temple’s best‑known spots and its most important ritual platform. Its umbrella‑shaped roof covered in yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green can be seen from afar. An octagonal white marble Sumeru platform surrounds the building, and the four horizontal plaques were all inscribed by imperial princes – this “Jinzi Baoxiang” (Golden Countenance, Precious Form) tablet was written by Prince Guo, Hongzhan, a figure everyone knows.

Opening hours: 8:20 – 17:00

Tickets: 50 yuan; online purchases do not exchange for tickets, just scan the code at the entrance

Bus: Bus 931 stops right at the temple gate

Parking: Tanzhe Temple has several car parks, 10 yuan per vehicle. It’s best to park at Car Park No.1 (the one with metal framework), as it’s nearer the temple; you can also do as I did and park at Car Park No.2 – fewer cars, but you need to follow a small path to reach the temple.

Snacks: Though a tourist spot, the prices are really not steep. A super‑tasty strawberry ice cream is only 7 yuan.

Although the Dingdu Pavilion has been restored, it can’t fully withstand the weathering; many parts bear the marks of time, yet that doesn’t detract from the building’s imposing presence. The pavilion on Dingdu Peak is a wonderful place from which to enjoy Beijing’s night view. Climbing the stairs, the seemingly short distance turned out to be less than easy. At the summit, the Dingdu Pavilion boasts the title of “Capital’s Number One Viewing Peak”. Gazing into the distance, the vast city of Beijing unfolded before my eyes, evoking that feeling of all the mountains lying below… but it wasn’t exactly exhilarating. A big white haze stretched into the distance, and my heart sank. Then the gales hit, so fierce I nearly thought they’d come not to claim this beauty but to wrestle my phone away. No wonder the site is often closed for maintenance – the wind really is frighteningly strong.

Beyond the sweeping vista, the Dingdu Pavilion’s interior walls feature what appear to be recent murals that tell some of its history, adding a splash of colour to the mottled surroundings. The exquisite patterns on the ceiling turned out to be decals, and the pillars looked as if they’d been in a brawl, bearing countless scars.

Every scenic spot has its quintessential features. Besides the panoramic view of the capital, the area right in front of the pavilion is a famous photo spot. Too bad I’d worn that bright red maxi dress for Hongjing Road – clearly a case of wrong outfit, wrong place. The greatest tragedy in life is misdirected passion. Thinking back to last night, I’m sure the folks at the foot of the mountain imagined I was a nutcase standing up there on that ridge.

Entry to the scenic area is calculated per car plus per person – 10 yuan per vehicle and, I believe, 50 yuan per person. You can buy tickets at the machine at the gate. After entering, there’s still a bit of driving to reach the summit, where there’s a car park. If it’s not full, you can drive right to the top.

Opening hours: 8:30 – 18:00 (last entry for visitors 16:20; park closes at 18:00)

Parking: If the upper car park isn’t full, you can drive straight up.

Just look at how empty the car park was the day I visited – you can tell there weren’t many people around, a rare chance to snap photos like this. Inside the New Compass, you feel its coolness and user‑friendliness even more. A 10.1‑inch high‑definition central touchscreen, a 10.25‑inch fully digital instrument cluster with customisable styles – all brimming with tech, letting you pick whichever you like.

Captivated by its looks, loyal to its capability, the New Compass is also endearing for its intelligent features, which make long drives considerably easier. It’s equipped with the new Tencent TAI 3.0 smart connectivity system. Just say “Hello, Jeep” to wake it, and navigation, music, radio are all standard; it can even open windows or adjust the air conditioning for you. Voice control, freeing your hands – exactly the mainstream interface of tomorrow.

On mountain roads, the New Compass has strong grip and high stability, giving a deep sense of reassurance. It’s a golden combination: quick off the line, smooth gear changes, economical on the motorway – stunning. The integrated water‑cooled charge air cooler delivers a stronger push‑in‑the‑back feeling, while crank‑shaft/piston offset technology effectively reduces noise. The cylinder‑head integrated exhaust manifold and electronically controlled turbo wastegate allow the engine to perform at its best. Excellent power, yet still low on fuel consumption and emissions. Five core fuel‑saving technologies make driving fast, efficient and environmentally friendly.

There are always memories that can’t be forgotten, scenery whose fragrance lingers. A self‑drive to Beijing’s outskirts, reliving the thrill of Hongjing Road, visiting the thousand‑year‑old Tanzhe Temple, encountering the refreshing elegance of Ziyang Mountain Villa’s Yunfu Banshan – and the Jeep New Compass, a cutting‑edge urban SUV forged from classic heritage and innovation, delivering a flawless driving experience.