Hebei Travel: Notes on a Vacation at Jifa Kingdom’s Guangnianli Resort in Beidaihe (Photos)

Beidaihe, perched on the shore of the Bohai Sea, is a destination I’ve visited countless times—be it on business or self-drive getaways. Yet I never expected that a recent trip, organized by Beijing Beidahuang Travel Agency for a group of Heilongjiang Production and Construction Corps comrades, would leave such a deep and lasting impression—five wonderful days I’ll always cherish.

Group photo at Beidaihe Station (Photo by Xu Boya)

At 4:40 p.m. Beijing time on May 29, 2023, I joined the dance troupe comrades from the Beijing Beidahuang Educated Youth Art Group on this Beidaihe holiday. Led by team leader Zou Xiaofei, dance troupe head Wang Zeyi, and Beijing Beidahuang Travel Agency guide Xu Boya, we took the D821 express train from Beijing Station. After a smooth 2-hour-and-14-minute ride, we arrived in Beidaihe. Right outside the station, we snapped our first group photo of the trip.

Street scene in Beidaihe (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Walking to the parking lot, I looked up at the boundless, cloudless blue sky. A fresh breeze washed over my face, and I instantly felt the coolness—so much more comfortable than Beijing. I checked the temperature: just 23°C. A ten-minute bus ride from the parking lot brought us to our home for the stay—Guangnianli Health and Wellness Resort. We were warmly welcomed by Li Huimei, director of the health and wellness project under Zhongqin Xinglong Cultural and Tourism, and marketing director Jiang Yujun.

A corner of Guangnianli Resort (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

From the outside, Guangnianli Health and Wellness Center looked rather unremarkable—a grey three-story building that wouldn’t catch your eye. Yet once you step inside and take it all in, you discover its unique setting: it’s nestled within the serene, nationally rated 4A-level scenic area of Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom.

Jifa Dream Kingdom (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The guestroom building connects directly to a modern, intelligent greenhouse that serves as a garden within a garden. The indoor activity area spans 3,300 square meters and hosts over 500 species of plants and flowers from both north and south—banana, papaya, coconut, and many more.

Entering the garden within a garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Here, spring lingers all year round, with blossoms vying in splendor. Inside the greenhouse, there are a Mind-Nourishing Pavilion and a Leisure Pavilion where you can admire scenery, sip tea, and chat. There are also chess and card rooms, table tennis, and billiard tables—not just for playing games but for keeping active. Winding paths lead through the leafy haven, with waterfalls, ponds, and streams threading beside little bridges and swimming fish. Strolling here is pure delight.

Scenery in the garden within a garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Its unique design philosophy means the climate at Guangnianli Resort is pleasantly free of summer heat and winter chill. The natural environment is celebrated as a natural oxygen bar; the air is rich in negative ions—10,000 to 14,000 per cubic centimeter, six times the standard for fresh air. That’s why it’s hailed as a summer retreat, a health resort, and a rehabilitation and wellness base.

Roses in the garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Thanks to its integration with Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom, guests step out of their rooms right into a modern smart greenhouse. No matter the season—rain, wind, or snow—seniors can always venture outside, see tropical plants in the north, pick tropical fruits, and soak up an Amazon rainforest vibe. It truly realizes the ideal of “housing nestled in gardens, paths weaving through greenery, people living in scenery”—a perpetual springtime where you can sing the praises of the setting sun in a pastoral idyll. And when you return to your spacious, comfortable room, you’ll relax completely and sleep soundly until dawn.

Playing table tennis in the garden (Photo by Gao Wensheng)

As the saying goes, food is the first necessity. Dining here three times a day offers a different experience each time. Ingredients come from the scenic area’s own production or from vegetables, fruits, eggs, and milk raised by the elderly residents themselves. Meals are prepared with scientific nutritional balance, and you can even turn what you’ve grown or reared into delicious dishes.

Scenery along the Dai River (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Stepping outside the resort, you’ll see lush trees all around. Beside it flows a crystal-clear little river running north to south—the Dai River, which originates in Funing County, cuts across Qinhuangdao, and empties into the Bohai Sea. Beidaihe owes its fame to this very river. Standing on the bank, gazing at the reflected shoreline scenery is a wonderful visual treat.

Light-hearted dancing (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

On May 29, 2023, although our corps comrades arrived at Guangnianli Resort only in the afternoon, everyone found their own perfect niche, indoors or out. After dinner, team leader Zou Xiaofei briefed us on the itinerary, and then everyone enjoyed free time, picking whatever activity suited them. Yet I saw most people singing and dancing lightly inside the tropical rainforest greenhouse. It suddenly hit me—of course, they’re all members of the original corps art troupe dance team.

Entering the Living Vegetable Factory (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At 9:15 a.m. Beijing time on May 30, the holiday organized by Beijing Beidahuang Travel Agency for Heilongjiang Corps comrades officially kicked off its sightseeing program. Our resort arranged several electric carts, and sales manager Jia Hongyuan personally drove us to the first stop: the Living Vegetable Factory inside Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom.

Giant pumpkins at the Living Vegetable Factory (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Never having been to Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom before, I had no idea it was so vast. Covering about 1,400 mu (over 93 hectares), it’s divided into six major themed areas: entrance services, family amusement, natural leisure, agricultural science experience, themed playground, and green dining. It’s crafted to offer joyful, sweet family moments and diverse interactive experiences, making it a comprehensive tourist attraction combining agricultural technology displays, science education, and entertainment.

Sights at the Living Vegetable Factory (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Living Vegetable Factory we visited is a highlight of the agricultural science experience zone. Inside the greenhouse, an endless variety of vegetables and fruits dazzled the eye.

A photo keepsake at the Living Vegetable Factory (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Needless to say, many vegetable varieties were entirely new to us. But even some familiar ones surprised us with their cultivation methods; it was quite unexpected, and we walked away with a little extra knowledge—a satisfying takeaway. Everyone had a blast, posing for photos everywhere. The entire factory burst with laughter and cheerful voices.

Exotic plant garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The technology demonstration, science education, and picking programs here are impressively done. By employing modern greenhouse horticulture, leafy greens are cultivated efficiently in both flat and vertical systems, breaking time and space constraints and even offering a glimpse of future space agriculture. New varieties, new techniques, and new cultivation models are on display. Artistic planting arrangements—underground, ground-level, upright, and aerial—along with multi-colored, multi-species, multi-form fruit and vegetable landscapes truly opened visitors’ eyes.

Group photo in front of giant pumpkins (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Especially the longest loofah and the largest pumpkin, along with agricultural techniques that lead the nation by 20 years, present wonders you’ve never seen and leave you marveling at nature’s beauty.

A burst of color (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

What’s more, a hint of Hainan’s tropical charm is also on display here. Jifa’s proprietary techniques have brought southern trees and flowers to bloom in the north, letting people see tropical plants, pick tropical fruits, and feel the Amazon rainforest atmosphere. In short, a visit to the Living Vegetable Factory is richly rewarding.

A selection of folk-custom exhibition items (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At 9:45 that morning, our second stop was the “Imprints of Time – Beidaihe Jifa Folk Customs Exhibition Hall.” A collection of vintage objects from various eras offers a glimpse into the evolution of modern history.

Group photo at the Adorable Pet Paradise (Photo by Xu Boya)

After the folk exhibition, we moved on to the third stop of the day: the Adorable Pet Paradise. We took our second group photo of the trip in front of it, then entered.

Parrots at the Adorable Pet Paradise (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Designed in a Disney-style cartoon farm theme, the paradise features lawns, flower fields, and freely roaming cute little animals. It’s highly interactive and offers diverse fun: animal feeding, pet shows, go-kart rides—allowing city dwellers to enjoy a slice of ranch leisure time.

Feeding from the palm of a hand (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Plenty of fun awaits: meerkats, marmots, prairie dogs, alpacas, capybaras—rare and adorable animals you can feed up close. And you can experience the thrill of go-karting, racing across the pasture with a flying sensation, parents and kids alike.

A corner of the Miniature Horse Paradise (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Watching the animals here brought back a childlike joy that’s hard to put into words. There are rare miniature horses (without a reference object, you wouldn’t guess how tiny they are—you might mistake them for dogs or other animals), peacock pigeons, and parrots that fly right onto your palm to eat.

Overlooking an angle of Dream Kingdom (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At 11:00 a.m. Beijing time, we ended the morning at the Dynamic Fun Plaza, which comprises three zones: Fantasy Mirrors, Witch’s Castle, and Wizard’s Cube. It’s Beidaihe’s most distinctive Instagram-worthy spot. Nearby, the Li ethnic-style pavilion and the A-mei cultural garden are also well worth a look.

Into the Fantasy Mirrors (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

In the “crazy fun” experience area, over a dozen rides—leisurely jellyfish, bumper cars, carousels, a Ferris wheel, a pirate ship—cater to different age groups. While all of us were over seventy, we didn’t miss out on the fun, because “play” is human nature. Riding the Ferris wheel offers a bird’s-eye view of the Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom scenic area, a delight in itself.

A photo in the Fantasy Mirrors (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Among the many attractions, stepping into the Light and Shadow Mystery Room feels like entering a dream. Here, mirror art blends with lighting and installations to create mesmerizing visual works. Reality and illusion overlap, sumptuous and dazzlingly colorful.

Ferris wheel (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Mirrors of various sizes are placed throughout the limited space. As you stand among them, your own reflection multiplies endlessly outward, making you feel as if you’re floating through a nebula in the cosmos—everything is luminous, a fairyland.

A corner of the Li ethnic-style pavilion (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom is huge, and there’s so much to see. On our first day of holiday, we seemed to cover a lot of ground, tried many rides, and visited numerous exhibition halls. Yet guide Xu Boya told us that this was only a small part of Jifa Kingdom. Since we were staying right on the grounds, if we were interested, we could return at leisure and pick whatever we wanted to experience.

Scenic view inside Dream Kingdom (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

A holiday calls for a holiday pace. Team leader Zou Xiaofei put it well: we’re here to relax. So we only went sightseeing for half a day, leaving the rest of the time free. This balance let us fully savor the ease of a resort vacation.

Group photo in the Tropical Rainforest Hall (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At 9:30 a.m. Beijing time on May 31, we set out again on our next adventure. The first stop was the Tropical Rainforest Hall, located within the Guangnianli Resort complex of Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom.

Photo on the high viewing deck (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Covering over 4,000 square meters, this comprehensive greenhouse focuses on tropical rainforest scenery. The structure rises partly to three and a half stories with lofty observation decks and rest areas. It’s laid out in four themed zones: the Amazon Rainforest Divine Tree Paradise, the Amazon Tropical Rainforest landscape, the Thai-style Leisure area, and the Arabian Desert landscape. Exploring it was an eye-opener.

Boarding the boat to Fisherman’s Island (Photo by Xu Boya)

At 1:00 p.m. that afternoon, our group drove 45 minutes from Guangnianli Health and Wellness Resort to the Fisherman’s Island Marine Hot Springs Resort in Nandaihe for a thermal spring soak.

A corner of the Marine Hot Springs scenic area (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

This place is located on the central part of the Gold Coast of Beidaihe New District, one of China’s eight most beautiful coastlines. It boasts a pristine, natural beach with clear water, gentle tides, soft sand, and calm waves. Just thirty kilometers from the summer capital Beidaihe, it’s named Fisherman’s Island because of its abundance of fish, shrimp, sea cucumbers, and shellfish—fish being the main catch. The hot spring water is fossil water drawn from 1,300 meters beneath the seabed. The springs consist of indoor and outdoor sections.

Outdoor hot-spring pool (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The indoor hot springs comprise seven zones: Tropical Rainforest, Cave Hot Springs, Exotic Flair, Chinese Medicinal Health, Family Bathing, VIP Experience, and Dynamic Entertainment. The outdoor section has three parts: Mountain and Forest Recreation, Beauty and Skincare, and Binhai (Seashore) Hot Springs.

A photo on Fisherman’s Island beach (Photo by Zou Xiaofei)

To get there, we first took a sightseeing boat for over ten minutes, then disembarked at the Fisherman’s Island Marine Hot Springs resort. After entering the hot-spring area, everyone soaked according to their preference, trying different temperatures and herbal blends. Taking the chance, I went to the outdoor hot-spring pool and swam 1,400 meters in a little over forty minutes.

Group photo at Fisherman’s Island (Photo by Xu Boya)

The hot springs lie right next to the sea. After a good soak, our corps comrades all headed to the Bohai Sea beach and had a great time. We concluded our visit to Fisherman’s Island with another big group photo in front of the scenic area.

A festive corner of Dream Kingdom (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

June 1, 2023, the fourth day of our vacation, happened to be Children’s Day. The whole day was free for everyone. I, along with everyone else, spent a happy, childlike holiday right inside the Beidaihe Jifa Agricultural Dream Kingdom by the Dai River.

The journalist’s Children’s Day photo in the park (Photo by Wang Jue)

Strolling around the park, I tried out rides we hadn’t yet experienced and enjoyed taking photos inside the Tropical Rainforest Hall. As I walked, I saw the Dream Kingdom filled with children everywhere—countless kids accompanied by parents, enjoying their own joyful moments.

Exuberant dancing postures (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

That afternoon, I took a short walk from my room to the connected smart greenhouse garden. There I spotted some corps comrades rehearsing a dance. They are a group of vigorous dancers, the youngest already over seventy, all former members of the Heilongjiang Corps. They jokingly call themselves forever energetic young people and were determined to put on a splendid show at the evening gathering.

The lively get-together (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

That night, in the conference room of Guangnianli Resort, the old Heilongjiang Corps comrades gathered for a passionately joyful “Children’s Day” party, organized by Beijing Beidahuang Travel Agency. It was a celebration of feeling young again.

Singing with passion (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The opening program, conducted by team leader Zou Xiaofei, was a medley of children’s songs sung by all. To the intro of China National Radio’s “Little Trumpet,” they launched into over twenty songs that had accompanied their childhoods: “Riding the Train,” “Let’s Row Our Oars,” “Flowers in Bloom,” “Little White Boat,” “School Song,” “Our Fields,” “Little Swallow,” “Take Over Lei Feng’s Rifle,” “We Are the Successors of Communism,” and many more—a thirty-minute marathon. Wearing red scarves, everyone’s faces were radiant, singing with explosive passion; pure joy shone on every face.

A women’s choral piece (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Then came solo vocal numbers, small choral pieces, dances, and poetry recitations—a series of self-written and self-performed programs one after another. Singing and dancing, everyone had a wonderful, happy evening.

Group photo after the party (Photo by Wu Xinjie)

At 9:30 a.m. Beijing time on June 2, the last day of our Heilongjiang Corps comrades’ Beidaihe holiday began. The morning was free, so some of us drove to the local Niutouya Market for a look and some shopping. The market is located in Beidaihe District, Qinhuangdao City, and is held on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th (and multiples thereof) of each lunar month—a long-standing tradition.

Entering the “First Market Inside the Pass” (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Niutouya Market, known as the “First Market Inside the Pass,” was bustling that day. Stalls overflowed with daily necessities—fruits, vegetables, grains, oils—and the place was packed with a ceaseless flow of people. Vacationers in Beidaihe can buy straight from local farmers, who bring their freshly harvested produce to market at reasonable prices, fresh and delicious. If you need something, you can leave with bags full.

End of the trip, taking the high-speed train back to Beijing (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At 1:30 p.m. that same afternoon, the five-day holiday organized by Beijing Beidahuang Travel Agency for Heilongjiang Corps comrades came to a perfect close. We departed from Guangnianli Health and Wellness Resort, headed to Beidaihe Railway Station, and boarded the C116 high-speed train back to Beijing at 2:45 p.m. Thus concluded our memorable five-day Beidaihe vacation. (Text and photos: Feng Ganyong)