Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡

The tranquil boat ride through the bottom of Longqing Gorge can be a remarkable tonic after a day at Badaling. This scenic area is often considered a microcosm of the Yangtze River's fabled Three Gorges and is also frequently compared to Guilin's craggy waterborne peaks. Visitors can ride the world's longest chain of escalators to the top of the largest dam in northern China. Beyond sightseeing, the gorge features a range of recreational options for visitors, including kayaking, rock-climbing, horseback riding and go-carting. In winter, the Longqing Gorge Ice Sculpture Festival is suburban Beijing's answer to Harbin.
Bus: From Deshengmen, take Bus 919 (RMB 12, 1.5 hours) to Yanqing Station. From there, take a taxi (RMB 20, 15 minutes) to the gate.
Car: From Madian Qiao on North Third Ring Road, take Badaling Expressway to the Yanqing Exit (1 hour). Follow the signs to the gate (0.5 hours).
Approx distance: 85km