Can't Beat the Summer Heat? Take a Trendy Summer Trip to Beijing's Outskirts

The summer of 2021 in Beijing was the muggiest I’ve ever experienced in the city. Frequent, copious rains seemed intent on swallowing up all the heat. But whether in the urban center or its outskirts, the constant accumulation of water in every district added a layer of anxiety to the swelter. After being squeezed by city life for too long, a dedicated “trendy” summer escape to Beijing’s outskirts is the perfect stress reliever. This time, I, @小砖头UP, hit the road solo in the fifth-generation Tucson L to find the coolest ways to enjoy summer. We can watch the stunning sunset at the Bulatun Observatory; stay at a B&B with a starry skylight to stargaze; experience the trendiest glamping trip; accidentally wander into a Miyazaki anime scene at the Miyun Reservoir dam; stumble upon a hidden paradise, the Huatian Shanju guesthouse; revisit a European-style castle winery like a runaway princess; have a ladies’ afternoon tea at Yanqi Lake’s most stylish hotel; and of course, don’t forget to feast on authentic iron-pot stewed fish. Think that’s all the trendiest ways to play? No no no! The little surprises on my four-day, three-night road trip with the Tucson L were the most delightful. Want more treasure tips and guides? Then follow my footsteps closely! Enough talk, let’s start with some beautiful pictures.

China Astronomical Observatory – Capturing the Most Beautiful Profile at Sunset

Driving north alone, leaving Beijing behind, my first stop was the Bulatun Observatory. Before reaching Bulatun, you’ll definitely pass a small mobile market. I was drawn over by the passersby taking photos here. You can stop for a short rest, buy some local produce, or take a distant shot of Miyun Reservoir.

Located in the village of Laotun in Miyun, Beijing, since 1966, the National Astronomical Observatory’s Miyun Radio Astronomy Observation Base has been rooted here thanks to the efforts of generations of scientists. It’s now one of the important observation bases of the National Astronomical Observatories. Most people who come here are starry-sky enthusiasts longing for the cosmos. Forgive my mediocre photography skills—I can’t stay up all night waiting. Along wild roadsides in Bulatun Village, 28 parabolic antennas, each 9 meters in diameter, form a radio telescope array. The treasure of the station is the 50-meter radio telescope, and there’s also a 30-meter FAST experimental model.

Looking at these “giant pot lids” of varying sizes along the road, you instantly plunge into a sci-fi blockbuster. Most importantly, there’s no entrance fee—as long as you park orderly, you can freely strike any pose. For a Euro-American sweet and spicy girl vibe, these “giants” as the backdrop are just too perfect. Provided, of course, that you come early enough. Towards evening, stargazers who plan to stay overnight start to gather here.

If, like me, you’re not especially passionate about the stars, why not wait for a breathtaking sunset instead? It’s also a great choice.

While waiting for the sunset, I couldn’t help but ponder. These grand objects are exploring the mysteries of the universe, making me marvel at the insignificance of humanity. The little sorrows trapped by concrete and steel are truly nothing in the cosmos. We should always keep the best mindset and record every inch of beauty.

Sunsets are fleeting, vanishing in a blink. If you’re on your own like me, find your shooting spot early and set up your equipment for easy filming. Of course, you can also ask a fellow visitor for help. The fifth-generation Tucson L perfectly harmonizes with this sci-fi scene. Bathed in the sunset’s glow, its eagle-wing LED hidden daytime running lights, three-dimensional shining grille, and muscular rounded body ooze technology and artistry—irresistible to capture its most beautiful profile. What I love most about this car’s exterior are its unique muscular lines. Even without a boyfriend, I feel its overwhelming masculine charm; it truly is my most handsome knight, escorting me safely. While capturing the Tucson L’s best angles, I never forget to snap photos of myself. Striking poses in multiple angles around my beloved car is a must-have skill for any girl. Trust me, you’ll be the most stunning babe in Bulatun.

If you’d rather not be this close to the “cosmos,” on the way to the Yenfeng Mountain Fairytale Treehouses, I even spied a “big pot lid” from afar. That’s another joy of exploration the Tucson L brings me. Don’t let traveling solo stop you—as long as you have a heart eager for a trendy summer escape, just follow @小砖头UP’s guide and you won’t go wrong.

【Treasure Tips Summary】? No entrance fee ? Recently, the water level at Miyun has risen, and some smaller roads are closed, not fully accessible ? Whether stargazing or watching the sunset, must-have items: sunscreen and mosquito repellent ? Sci-fi magic scene, great for taking photos with your car ? There are many popular B&Bs; book in advance—3-4 days ahead for weekdays, 1-2 weeks for weekends ? Nearby short trips: Miyun Reservoir, Baihe Bridge, Heilongtan Scenic Area, etc., all blending natural and cultural scenery. Camping along the road used to be possible, but due to the recent water level rise, it’s not recommended now.

Bulao · Shanju – Stargazing at a Starry Skylight B&B

The treasure B&B I booked this time is called Bulao · Shanju, a popular guesthouse near the Bulatun Observatory. Surrounded by a hundred acres of pear trees, the stay is extremely cozy and comfortable. The best time to stay is spring or autumn—in spring, the hills are blanketed with pear blossoms, and in autumn, there are bountiful tribute pears. Both the scenery and the taste are absolutely divine. There truly are many trendy B&Bs in the Beijing outskirts, and they’re fully booked on holidays, so be sure to reserve in advance.

The main reason I chose this B&B is its starry skylight rooms. No mosquito bites, no freezing, just lie in the air-conditioned room and watch the stars—it’s the most convenient way for stargazing fans.

I arrived in the evening. You can freely sing your heart out at the B&B’s self-service KTV; don’t be shy. When traveling alone and not wanting to feel lonely, in such social moments, I’m best at blending in. Sing a song freely—what a delight.

Besides stargazing, at Bulao · Shanju, you can watch the sunrise from its highest peak and overlook the entire Miyun Reservoir. If you’re up early enough, climb to the mountaintop to see the reservoir blanketed in sunrise light—truly super beautiful.

Another reason to climb the hill, for me, is to find the biggest tribute pear in the sunniest spot. It’s the specialty of this longevity village. The owner is extremely warm and said that as long as we don’t take them away, we can eat as many as we like—eat to our heart’s content. Although the pears weren’t fully ripe yet, I already tasted some really good ones.

Under the pear trees in this courtyard, you’ll find swings everywhere. Even if you do nothing but just sit on the swing quietly, it’s super pleasant. This may be one of the little secrets of the longevity village—apart from beautiful mountains and water, the people here are always in good spirits.

The B&B also has a cute internet-famous dog named Naonao who loves tribute pears. It’s very affectionate and well-behaved. If you come to stay, it will surely trot after you.

Although it was just a short trip, as a little camper with a camping plan, I prepared a ton of props for myself. The fifth-generation Tucson L I drove has ample trunk space of 583L. If needed, the rear seats fold flat to 1903L, and I feel like for future overnight trips, you could even fit an inflatable mattress.

I packed light luxury camping gear: a tent, a tarp, outdoor tables and chairs, a picnic blanket, and some cute props—all to help take beautiful photos of myself. For those who need to stay overnight, you’ll also need moisture-proof mats, sleeping bags, pillows, lights, and barbecue or portable gas stoves, plus all kinds of snacks and ingredients. The absolute must-haves are definitely mosquito repellent and mosquito coils—outdoor insects are really outrageous.

Even packed with all this gear, the ultra-spacious trunk allowed me to linger briefly wherever I wanted. I could sit comfortably in the trunk and capture the wonderful moments I wished to record.

After a happy day at Bulao · Shanju and a simple farmers’ meal made by the owner, I headed off to my next stop: camping.

Even though I’m a girl, with the fifth-generation Tucson L, I can easily have my own road trip—safe and comfortable. The dirt road to Bulao · Shanju was rough and muddy. Recent days saw the Miyun Reservoir water level rise, and there were even small floodgates open on this stretch. Powered by the Hyundai SmartStream new-generation powertrain, my car balances fuel efficiency and power, handling various road conditions with ease. The driving experience was fantastic.

【Treasure Tips Summary】?? Address: Bulao · Shanju – at the intersection north of Liuxin Road and Huangtukan Road, Huangtukan Village, Bulatun Town, Miyun District, Beijing ?? Navigation: Search “Bulao · Shanju” on maps ?? Parking: Free parking available ? Meals: Home-style dishes available to order; accommodation includes breakfast ? Activities: Watch sunrise and sunset, clouds rolling by, sun, moon, and stars; gaze at Miyun Reservoir; pick pears, apples, and walnuts ? Rooms: Stargazing tents, cabins with lake/moon/mountain/pool views, and multi-person gathering courtyards; prices vary ? Suitable for: Small family gatherings, couples, girlfriend getaways ? Nearby attractions: Miyun Observatory, Yunfeng Mountain, Happy Squirrel Valley, Heilongtan, Taoyuan Xiangu, Renjian Huahai

Camping Trip – The Trendiest INS Glamping

As a moving-house-style glamping enthusiast, I actually prepared loads of gear for my camping. But this trip didn’t go entirely smoothly—due to the rising water level at Miyun, many previously campable spots along the way were closed. However, the joy of a road trip is spontaneity. As a dedicated outdoor camper, in the current Camping Trip craze, there are more and more “trendiest” INS glamping bases around Beijing. Supply and demand haven’t quite balanced yet; the ones I know best, Riyue Valley and Dare Wilderness, are always fully booked. But that’s no obstacle for a search expert like me. I discovered a new spot: the Super Music Farm.

This is a base in Miyun that combines music, outdoors, family activities, intangible cultural heritage hands-on experiences, art, picnics, camping, and markets—a complete family music holiday destination.

When I arrived, I found that besides the camping gear I wanted, there were also glow parties, open-air movies, a water park, internet-famous trampolines, a rooftop slide, football fields, dining, and bars—everything you need. You can arrange the whole family’s needs perfectly.

Of course, what interested me most was camping. Here, even if you don’t want the hassle of moving-house-style camping, all your needs are met.

There are comfy, spacious mattresses—no more sleepless nights on an inflatable mattress. The most thoughtful part: if you didn’t bring props for photos, no worries. Super Music Farm has prepared a full set. Ladies who want to strike poses for photos can just go for it.

Although I didn’t follow my original plan of having afternoon tea by a small stream along the way, it didn’t dampen my mood at all. Because with the fifth-generation Tucson L, an outdoor lover like me also enjoys challenges and changes.

And I found this camping base extremely road-trip-friendly. There’s plenty of parking, and even newbie drivers can feel at ease. This trip, my Tucson L has a 10.4-inch central touchscreen and the Hyundai SmartSense safety system, equipped with ultrasonic sensors, millimeter-wave radar, and high-definition cameras. Finally, someone rescues those who struggle with reversing and parking.

【Treasure Tips Summary】? Riyue Valley – located in Miyun, a glamping-style nature resort paradise suitable for family outings. Fully equipped camping gear, RV base available; all-inclusive park with dining, accommodation, and entertainment. The park also has many recreational activities like an adventure park, ATVs, go-kart track, etc. Quite popular, lots of visitors; tickets and tents need advance booking and can be hard to secure. ? Dare Wilderness – currently the most INS camp in Beijing, with well-established camps in and around Beijing and nationwide. Suitable for experiencing the joy of hands-on camping; instructors teach you how to set up camping gear, so you avoid moving-house-style camping, and equipment is complete. Ideal for young people.

Miyun Reservoir Tour – Accidentally Stumbling into a Miyazaki Anime Scene

Leaving the trendiest INS camping base, I planned to wander freely around the Miyun Reservoir dam. My companion, the Tucson L, with its super comprehensive smart voice system, let me say “open QQ Music” and play my familiar song “Northward Drive.” All six speakers made it super high. The perfect smart device allows seamless switching and dual Bluetooth to other devices. For a solo traveler like me, everything felt effortless. I could enjoy my own leisure “trendy” summer journey just as I pleased.

Miyun Reservoir is huge—really huge. It’s Beijing’s largest drinking water source. This year seems to be one when the reservoir’s water level is at its fullest. Because it encircles the entire reservoir, there are main and secondary dams. Vehicles are not allowed to stop on the dam; if you want to take photos, you have to park at either end.

The Miyazaki anime scene all girls love is right here—one side a village, the other the reservoir, brimming with Japanese atmosphere. I just needed to use the smart voice function on my Tucson L to search for Miyun S313, park somewhere, and walk over to the little house.

Of course, even if you don’t need to photograph the little house, both the main and secondary dams offer beautiful sunset shots. When traffic was light, I briefly stopped and snapped a photo. That’s probably the only road shot I got on the whole trip. Haha, thinking about it, I was really speedy. If you want a more relaxed shoot, you can come at sunrise when there’s less traffic.

Huatian Shanju – A Hidden Paradise in the City

After leaving Miyun Reservoir, I stayed at the hidden paradise guesthouse, Huatian Shanju. The entire courtyard has 7 main rooms and 4 side rooms, each independent unit featuring a private viewing platform—truly one room, one view. There’s also a host of activity rooms and a Chinese studies classroom.

This is absolutely a place to unwind and destress. I’ve never seen a rustic B&B so well preserved. Inside and outside the courtyard are planted with dozens of tree species—I heard over 30 kinds. In front of the room I stayed in, there was probably a small hawthorn tree.

The house retains local timber and stone materials, looking very artistic. Room types include Tang-style tatami mats, heated brick beds (kang), and large beds, with names like “Qingfeng” (Gentle Breeze), “Fuqin” (Playing Zither), “Xunmi” (Seeking), “Zhiyin” (Soulmate), “Tingxi” (Listening to Stream), “Guanshan” (Viewing Mountain), “Weiyu” (Light Rain), and “Ruhua” (Picturesque). They sound very scholarly and fit the ambience perfectly. I originally thought such an elegant courtyard couldn’t exist in the north.

What I love most about Huatian Shanju is its own ecological vegetable garden. There are geese they raise themselves, and the greenhouse offers self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables—the most authentic eco-lifestyle right here.

Driving here made me not want to leave; I just wanted to stay quietly and enjoy my pastoral moment. The courtyard caretaker also suggested that besides savoring slow time in this pristine courtyard, we could go fishing, boating, hiking nearby, and more. If traveling with family or on a corporate team-building, the courtyard not only provides regular meals but can also prepare barbecue ingredients. Lighting up a grill in the courtyard without needing your own gear is simply wonderful.

【Treasure Tips Summary】?? Address: Huatian Shanju Boutique Guesthouse – Zhujiawan Village, Beizhuang Town, Miyun District, Beijing ?? Navigation: Search “Huatian Shanju Boutique Guesthouse” on maps ?? Parking: Free parking available ? Meals: Authentic home-style dishes available to order; accommodation includes breakfast, and barbecue can be arranged ? Activities: Fishing, boating, hiking, playing zither ? Rooms: Tang-style tatami, heated brick beds, large beds, prices vary ? Suitable for: Small family gatherings, corporate team-building

Yishi Winery – A Runaway Princess Returns to a European Castle

Yishi Winery is located in Liuyuyu Village, Taishitun Town (near National Highway 101), by Bailongtan. An 18th-century European-style castle forms the core of this winery. The mottled stone walls and ivy-covered castle exude mystery, solemnity, and a sense of history. Arriving here, I felt like a runaway princess returning to her castle.

The estate isn’t large, with spots like Lake View Terrace, Pinghu Pavilion, Yishi Castle, Yishi Square, and a grape trellis, but what I loved most was the huge lawn in front of the castle—absolutely perfect for photos.

The basement of the winery is where wine is processed and stored, looking very mysterious. The first floor is the sales area; expensive bottles cost 1,100 yuan, cheap ones start at 100 per case, all made by the winery.

There’s an entrance fee ?, but it’s free with a Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei tourism card. My ticket cost 98 yuan, which included a glass of wine for tasting and a free bottle—basically the price of a bottle of wine. Since I was driving, I just took a sniff and brought the complimentary bottle home to enjoy later.

As a wine novice, the place I lingered longest at the winery was this castle, belonging to today’s runaway princess. Today, the princess had her fill of photos right at the castle gates!

Sitting inside the car, I could seriously feel my knight, the Tucson L. Its waterfall-inspired dashboard layout gives a wider field of vision.

With premium fabric design, the enveloping cockpit resembles a waterfall, featuring sensuous modeling and rich three-dimensionality, both cozy and comfortable.

The D-shaped multifunction steering wheel has meticulous, comfortable details.

The 10.25-inch open-style digital instrument cluster, 7-inch LCD plus digital display, and the 10.4-inch central touchscreen—the largest in its class—are packed with tech.

The panoramic sunroof has a light-transmitting area of 0.77 m² and an opening area of 0.35 m², both grand and elegant.

The “L” in Tucson L stands for an extended wheelbase and body size, allowing unrestricted comfortable sitting postures. Both driver and passengers enjoy an ultra-spacious, class-leading experience.

If you ask me what I’m most satisfied with, I’d say I genuinely like everything. Every detail exudes luxury-car quality. As a “refined” pragmatist, the Tucson L and this runaway princess blend perfectly into the entire European castle ambiance.

Yanqi Lake – Enjoying the Trendiest Hotel’s Ladies’ Afternoon Tea

After the runaway princess left her castle, my last must-visit spot was Yanqi Lake. They say the most iconic building at Yanqi Lake is this vermilion structure, with its roof designed as a gradually expanding disc, resembling an upside-down Temple of Heaven—that’s the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Driving there felt effortless, because after these consecutive days on the road, traversing different terrains, the Tucson L’s handling performance truly satisfied me.

After getting familiar with it over these days, I also discovered the Tucson L’s “humanized” smart space: features like BLE phone-as-key and remote vehicle management. As a girl traveling alone, I can occasionally be scatterbrained, forgetting where I stuffed things. With these thoughtful details, technology truly makes life more convenient.

After snapping beautiful photos, the final stop was to have afternoon tea at the hotel that once hosted the APEC leaders’ informal meeting—Sunrise Kempinski Hotel. This hotel is built right by the dam, and it’s said that its construction was extraordinarily challenging. The finished product looks like a rising sun, symbolizing harmony and unity; from the side, it resembles a scallop, which represents wealth in Chinese culture. Of course, I wouldn’t miss such an auspicious place.

Sipping afternoon tea in this cozy, quiet spot—once you spend over 100 yuan, the 50-yuan parking fee is waived. For a money-savvy expert like me, it’s comfortable and cost-effective, a perfect way to round off my journey.

Must-Eat Food in the Beijing Outskirts – Authentic Miyun Iron-Pot Stewed Fish

As a seasoned food and travel expert, @小砖头UP wouldn’t leave you without a single food recommendation. When in Miyun, Beijing’s outskirts, you absolutely can’t miss having an authentic iron-pot stewed fish, especially the sturgeon.

Other must-order signature dishes are definitely the dried green beans, tofu, pickled cabbage, fish tofu, and an Arctic Ocean soda.

The sauce is rich and fragrant; freshly killed live fish stewing in a wood-fired iron pot—this deliciousness is unique to Miyun.

If you’ve never been to Beijing, then the old Beijing wild vegetable buns are also a signature staple you must try. The mixed grain version tastes even better.

You don’t need to pick out a specific restaurant; there’s a main street in Miyun lined with iron-pot stew joints, and not a single one disappoints. What if you’re traveling alone? My answer: shamelessly join a table. I shared an iron-pot stew with fellow guests from Bulao · Shanju.

The rest of the time, I just ate randomly along the drive—like the northern specialty buckwheat helao noodles with Hongbaolai old-fashioned soda, and the Hui-style lamb soup and meat pies. All are super suitable for solo travelers.

Summary Guide – One-Click Save

I’m not sure if you’re satisfied with my itinerary, but I certainly had an amazing time. The whole self-driving trip was highly flexible, comfortable, and the Tucson L is incredibly fuel-efficient. Its smart voice features served me well, so thoughtful. To make it easy for you all to replicate my route, here’s a summary list you can save with one click!

Must-visit spots: Bulatun Observatory, Miyun Reservoir Dam, Yishi Winery, Yanqi Lake Sunrise Kempinski Hotel.

Recommended camping bases: Super Music Farm, Riyue Valley, Dare Wilderness.

Moving-house-style camping gear list: tent, tarp, outdoor tables and chairs, moisture-proof mat, sleeping bag, pillow, lights, barbecue or portable gas stove, assorted snacks and ingredients, picnic blanket, some cute props (for photo purposes), mosquito repellent, etc.

Eat: Iron-pot stewed fish, helao noodles, lamb soup, halal meat pies, tribute pears.

Stay: Hoshe B&B, Bulao · Shanju, Huatian Shanju.

Travel: Fifth-generation Tucson L.

I hope you, too, can have your own exclusive “trendy” summer trip. Don’t miss this season in Beijing—it’s the perfect time for self-driving and camping!