Hit the Road: The Best Longer Cycling Routes Around Beijing
If you're a cycling enthusiast, you've probably already tried our top 10 easy center-city Beijing rides. Now, however, it's time to level up with seven rides that will take you out into the lush countryside and towering mountains that surround the capital.
When it comes to riding around Beijing, nobody knows the scene better than Shannon Bufton, co-owner of Serk Cycling. For years, Shannon and his team have been leading rides every weekend out into the countryside, and after months of delays, they've restarted their weekend riding series. We took the opportunity to pick his brain for some of the best routes to get you started. These are all one-day rides fit for more advanced cyclists so you probably shouldn't attempt these on a shared bike (unless you're a sucker for pain). We've given approximate distances from the Chaoyang District area, but of course, you can modify the route however you like.
Death Valley
Approximate distance: 100km loop
It may sound intimidating, but Beijing's cyclists dubbed this northern route "Death Valley" on account of the huge cemetery it passes, not the number of on-road fatalities it has witnessed. In reality, it's the closest, mostly car-free loop to the city center and great for really stretching your legs. If you leave central Beijing before 7am you should have a nice traffic-free run out of the city, but do expect some traffic on the way back. To get there, ride straight up north along Ansi Lu and then turn right at Xiazhuangcun and loop back towards S307.
For more detailed route information, click here.
Tanzhe Si
Approximate distance: 80km loop
Tanzhe Si Temple is famed amongst Beijing’s cycling population as one of the classic out-of-town routes, and riders have been riding there for decades. In early 2020, the new Shougang Bridge at the end of Chang'an Jie was opened up as part of the Winter Olympic works in the area, a development that now makes the Western mountains of Mentougou far more accessible from the city. This, combined with Chang'an Jie’s generously sized bike lanes, make for a very pleasant ride out and back into the city. Once you are out there you can also extend mountain rides for hundreds of kilometers if you so desire!
For more detailed route info, click here.
Silver Pagodas
Approximate distance: 100km loop
This is another Beijing classic often frequented from riders in Shunyi. Two of the Silver Pagodas date to the Liao dynasty (916-1125 AD), while five others date to the Jin dynasty (1115-1254 AD), however, the temples that once stood here were destroyed during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In the old days, you could actually ride right up to the pagodas but now you need to pay an entrance fee to reach the car park area. To get there, head north out of the city up Ansi Lu. After passing over the canal, turn right, and then immediately left up into the mountains. It's a nice steady climb up past Xiazhuangcun, follow the road to the next T intersection, and turn left up towards the Silver Pagodas.
For more detailed route information, click here. For more info on the Silver Pagodas, click here.
The Verse
Approximate distance: 120km loop
Coffee and cycling go together like peas and carrots, and The Verse is hands-down the best café in the Beijing mountains. They have great coffee, good (although expensive) food, and even quite luxurious accommodation, but the best part is their super welcoming attitude towards cyclists. It's a bit of hike to get there but well worth the effort, as upon arrival you are rewarded with stunning views of the Great Wall, and a ride back that is mostly downhill. To get there, take the same route you would for the Silver Pagodas, then keep going.
For more detailed route information, click here.
Tuesday / Thursday TTT
Approximate distance: 54km loop
This Team Time Trial is very popular among the Beijing cycling community as an early morning ride before work. At 54km, it's great for those wanting to smash out a hard and quick ride. While it's not particularly scenic, there are few traffic lights, and the roads are not too busy and have adequate bike lanes on each side, making it a relatively hassle-free ride. If you'd like to ride with a group, seek out the early morning BJ riders group and join them on most Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5am or 6am depending on the season.
For more detailed route information, click here.
Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park
Approximate distance: 70km loop.
Lying just outside Beijing, the Tongzhou Grand Canal is a true marvel in China, and one of the greatest civil engineering projects in history. It's not nearly as famous as the Great Wall of China, but it should be: parts of it date back hundreds of years BC, and it stretches an incredible 1,764 kilometers from Tongzhou to Hangzhou, far longer than the famous Suez and Panama canals. It also makes for a great ride. One of the most direct ways to get there is following the Batong Subway Line all the way out from Guomao, but we don't recommend it as most of the line is still under construction and the road is grim and dusty. Instead, take Chaoyang Road (G102) until you hit the canal, then head road south until you arrive at the Forest Park itself. Be sure to leave enough time to cruise through the large, beautiful park once you get there.
Read more about the Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park here.
Liangshui River
Approximate distance: 55km loop
Stretching from the South Second Ring Road all the way past the Fifth Ring Road and beyond, the Liangshui He lit. Cool Water River, has been the target of extensive cleanup-efforts, and now is a beautiful, clean waterway that has a dedicated path that runs practically the entire length. Pick it up wherever is convenient for you, and either stick to the upper-level path for speed or go right down beside the water to get amongst the many fishermen who pass the day by the water. While you're in the area, you could also detour to visit the Nanhaizi Gongyuan, home to a rare breed of Chinese deer, which once went totally extinct in the mainland.
Read more details about Nanhaizi Park here.
Want more? Over the years, Serk Cycling has curated over 50 different riding routes in the mountains around Beijing. Their Saturday rides cater to all levels, include transport by van to and from the start point, and they can even rent you a bike if you don't have one. For more details and to book a ride or buy membership click here.
READ: 10 Easy Rides You Can Do Without Leaving Beijing
Images: Serk Cycling, Anna Pellegrin Hartley, 1000DaysBetween
