Lost in the beauty of Yanqing

As a subdivision of the municipality of Beijing, Yanqing District is located northwest of the city proper of Beijing, and covers an area of 1,993.75 square kilometers, of which mountain areas account for 72.8%, plain areas for 26.2%, and water areas for 1%. At an average elevation of over 500 meters, Yanqing has a lower temperature in both winter and summer, therefore it is the summer resort of Beijing. The highest peak in Yanqing is Haituo Mountain, which is 2,241 meters above sea level, and which is also the second highest peak in Beijing. There are 11 towns, 4 townships and 3 sub-districts in Yanqing District, with a resident population of 327,000.

Yanqing is hosting 2019 Beijing World Horticultural Exposition, and co-hosting 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Now Yanqing is dedicating in constructing venues and perfecting related services. Preparing for major events by promoting development and bringing benefits for the people is now an idea that is widely accepted and practiced here.

Following an ecological developing way, Yanqing District now has established 12 national, municipal and county nature reserves including Songshan Mountain, Yudu Mountain and Wild Duck Lake, and nearly 100 square kilometers of wetland area, securing the capital with clean land, water and air as a green protective screen and back garden.

The beauty of Yanqing lies in its majestic natural landscapes, the mountains and rivers. Yanqing has been known for the scenic beauty since ancient times, for it is surrounded by mountains and the Guishui River. The unique geographical environment presents Yanqing District with both magnificent and elegant scenery. Here you can enjoy both vastness of North China and the gracefulness of South China. Badaling Great Wall is winding its way across peaks one after another, like a dragon lying along the ridges. Jundu Mountain rises straight from the ground, and in summer standing at the top of Haituo Mountain you can see cloud rising from below and followed by a rain, if you are lucky enough, as it is one of the eight wonders of Yanqing. As autumn and winter comes, biting winds can turn Yanqing into a spotless white world in one night, like a "wonder world." Besides, Guishui River is like a jade belt flowing around Yanqing and waterfalls in Dishuihu and Wulong Gorge are like silver rainbows above the sky. Deep and profound Longqing Gorge and great lakes among mountains of Baihebao Reservoir and Guanting Reservoir are also part of the beautiful landscape which are seldom seen in China.

The beauty of Yanqing lies in the great historic and cultural heritages. Yanqing, used to be known as “Guichuan” or “Guizhou”, has a long-standing civilization. Though Yanqing experienced countless administrative changes in the history, the civilizations left continuous and clearly identifiable records. Early in the paleolithic period, there were ancient humans living in Yanqing. It is said that the famous "Battle of Banquan"between two human ancestors, the Yan Emperor and the Huang Emperor, occurred in Banquan Village, Yanqing, which makes it mysterious. The cultural relics of Yuhuang Temple（the Jade Emperor Taoist Temple）in Yanqing belongs to an independent and distinctive minority culture in the Bronze Age in North China. In Qin and Han Dynasties, Yanqing gained its administrative status as a county since it was the strategic junction between North China and the Mongolian grassland. During the unrest Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Yanqing was a must place for emperors of the Three Dynasties to go for four-season hunting and fishing activities. Can you image the grand temporary imperial palace and troops? Then the Ming emperors built a military defense system, including the Great Wall, which in Yanqing was used as a military fortress to defend against enemies and secure the capital. The several thousand years of civilization has brought Yanqing with extremely rich cultural heritages, reflecting the wisdom and intelligence of human civilization, and best interpreting the beauty of Yanqing.

The beauty of Yanqing lies in the ecological environment, clean waters, green mountains, forests and meadows, marshes and swamps, as well as various plants and animals. The healthy ecology is a unique resource advantage of Yanqing, and secures a bright future. Thanks to as high as 74% of wood coverage and 57.8% of forest coverage, Yanqing is an important north-west green barrier of Beijing. In recent years, Yanqing District insists on an ecological civilization strategy, and seizes every opportunity to promote green development, in order to construct an ecological conservation area in Beijing.

Welcome to Yanqing! Please feel the beauty of Yanqing, and enjoy your life in Yanqing…