The Mutianyu Great Wall's summer evening tours officially return today, June 25th, bringing the romantic nighttime scenery exclusive to the season. Plan a weekend trip to Huairou to see the illuminated Great Wall and enjoy the cool evening breeze.
Day 1 Itinerary: Wa Art Museum → Local Cuisine → Mutianyu Great Wall Summer Night Tour → Accommodation
Wa Art Museum
The Wa Art Museum is situated at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall. Its main building, with a total floor area of 660 square meters, features an exterior wall of glazed tiles made from 9,696 orange-yellow ceramic tiles and 66 glass bricks. It presents different light and shadow effects during the day and night, making it a popular cultural and artistic destination.
This summer, the museum launches a new exhibition series titled "The Extraordinary in the Everyday: A Glimmer on the Tiles." The inaugural exhibition, "Healing Muses Under the Eaves," is currently on display at the foot of the Great Wall. It engages in a dialogue between art and nature, allowing visitors to experience the gentle collision between rural life and contemporary art through light, shadow, and artworks.
This exhibition invites 13 illustrators to present over a hundred works, capturing moments of "coexistence with cats." Cats are the most natural "residents" of Beigou Village. They are not demanding or noisy, but quietly linger on windowsills, brick walls, and among tree shadows. Have you encountered such cats in your life? They are unique presences in life, bright accents in the scenery. They interact with us, offering healing, and they too need mutual care. Discover a different side of them through this exhibition.
Simultaneously, the "Cats at WACHANG" special art project is underway. Centered around the exhibition theme, the adjacent WACHANG hotel has launched themed rooms, dining options, decor, and cultural products, ensuring art extends beyond the gallery and truly integrates into an experience of mountains, the Great Wall, and daily life.
Local Cuisine
After an immersive visit to the artistic Wa Art Museum, one feels relaxed. Having expended energy exploring the exhibition, it's the perfect time to sample local delicacies nearby to recharge before continuing the journey.
Bei Ga La Shuan Rou is a traditional Beijing hot pot restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall. Fresh lamb is the star, with paper-thin slices that are tender and firm. A quick dip in the boiling copper pot makes them juicy and delicious. Enjoying a steaming hot pot meal in the refreshing mountain air, paired with crispy sesame paste pancakes, offers a hearty, satisfying, and comforting experience.
Jing Bei Yu Jia Ao is a well-established Huairou restaurant famous for rainbow trout. It features a garden-style outdoor dining area and an elegant indoor restaurant. Their signature charcoal-grilled rainbow trout is crispy outside and tender inside. Other rustic favorites include braised sturgeon with tofu, fried prickly ash shoots, and braised pork with chestnuts, making it an excellent choice for a post-sightseeing meal.
Yi Song Lou Restaurant is located within the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area, offering mountain views from its windows. Signature dishes not to be missed include braised dishes with chestnuts, oil-soaked rainbow trout, and braised pork face. Don't forget to fill up before embarking on the night tour of the Great Wall.
Mutianyu Great Wall Summer Night Tour
Starting June 25th, the Mutianyu Great Wall's cool summer night tours are back! Mountain evening breezes combined with starry lights make the Mutianyu Great Wall under the night sky the perfect setting for summer relaxation and romance.
Three Core Highlights of the Night Tour:
1. Escape the Heat: The mountaintop is cooler at night. With a refreshing breeze carrying the scent of plants, a light jacket is all you need for a comfortable walk along the Wall, perfect for both avoiding the summer heat and taking photos.
2. Serenity and Solitude: Strolling on the wall at night offers a chance to enjoy the tranquility and grandeur of the millennia-old Great Wall in a more intimate atmosphere.
3. Light Spectacle & Diverse Activities: The fun increases as the night goes on. At 7:30 PM, warm yellow lights illuminate the ridge, making the Wall resemble a dragon coiling through a sea of stars. Sections 10 to 15 are bathed in flowing light, with interactive light installations inside the watchtowers highlighting the ancient majesty. Every shot is a picturesque moment. Unlimited cable car rides allow for easy ascents to enjoy stunning views of the sunset blending with the lights. The epic live show "The Mountains and Rivers Remain Safe: The Qi Family Army" debuts, using the Great Wall as a backdrop to tell the heroic story of border guards defending the land. This is complemented by interactive performances with characters in ancient attire, creating a fascinating blend of past and present.
If you tire from exploring, visit the beer garden. Pair the evening breeze with drinks and food for a one-stop leisure experience, enjoying the festivities to the fullest.
Accommodation
After immersing yourself in the breathtaking night scenery of the Great Wall, soothed by the evening breeze, you might feel pleasantly tired from a full day of activities. Stay at a high-quality accommodation nearby to unwind.
The WACHANG Hotel, transformed from a former glazed tile factory at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, is a popular lodging choice known for its unique artistic ambiance. The hotel retains the original kiln caves and old chimney structures, offering a retro and stylish vibe. Its strong international artistic flair is a distinctive advantage.
San Sa Boutique Hotel is located close to the Mutianyu scenic area. This boutique hotel complex, converted from idle village factory buildings, covers 3,000 square meters and features 21 guest rooms, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars, accommodating 42 guests for lodging and 200 for dining.
Jinglin Chestnut Forest Garden Homestay is situated near attractions like Xiangshui Lake and the Mutianyu Great Wall. The property currently has 28 guest rooms across 7 different types to meet various needs. It includes three themed restaurants, a bakery, and a café serving Chinese, Western, Thai cuisine, barbecue, hot pot, and a variety of exquisite afternoon tea desserts and coffee. There is also a library and a meeting room that can host training sessions and related services for 20 to 80 people. The grounds feature a green plant greenhouse planting area, a children's play area, a petting zoo, and other facilities. Its 20,000-square-meter outdoor lawn can accommodate various events.
Day 2 Itinerary: Hongluo Temple Scenic Area → Local Cuisine → Beijing Classic Car Museum
Hongluo Temple Scenic Area
Originally built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Hongluo Temple is one of Huairou's most representative ancient temples. Nestled against Hongluo Mountain and surrounded by woods, it combines the solemnity of an ancient capital monastery with the serene elegance of a mountain forest garden. The ancient temple's red walls are set amidst lush greenery, radiating tranquility. Walking slowly along the temple paths helps distance oneself from restlessness and heal inner anxiety. The mountain breeze and serene greenery relax both body and mind, allowing one to fully enjoy the peace of the summer forest. In recent years, the scenic area has undergone continuous improvements to enhance the touring and service experience, such as reinforcing structures like the Main Hall, revitalizing some ancient trees and adding protective facilities, and improving access and viewing experiences on steep sections, better integrating ancient temple culture with mountain forest appreciation.
Local Cuisine
Yan Restaurant is located near Hongluo Temple. Visitors are greeted by a giant cat sculpture on the roof. The environment is fresh, healing, uniquely warm, and highly photogenic. The restaurant specializes in refined fusion cuisine, coffee, and desserts, excelling in both appearance and taste.
Huai Shan · Lu Jing is a hidden农家 courtyard in the mountains, focusing on local Huairou wild flavors. Signature dishes include stewed free-range chicken with mushrooms and vegetable buns. Ingredients are sourced locally and prepared in traditional, homely styles, offering familiar tastes of the Beijing suburbs. It's suitable for family gatherings to experience simple, rustic charm.
Huairou · 28 Dishes Restaurant is about 200 meters from Hongluo Temple. As the name suggests, its menu features 28 carefully selected dishes. Must-tries include charcoal-grilled rainbow trout and braised pork with chestnuts—the fish is crispy outside and tender inside, the pork rich but not greasy. Its three-story space with a terrace design is also very photogenic.
Beijing Classic Car Museum
The Beijing Classic Car Museum primarily collects classic cars of Chinese domestic brands. It houses over a hundred classic cars, each carrying unique memories of its era and industrial aesthetics. Walking through the museum feels like traveling through a century of automotive history. The cars in the collection have also frequently starred in film and television productions. From June 10th to October 31st, the museum is hosting the "Stories Behind the Emblems" exhibition. It displays various classic car emblem artifacts, models, pictures, and introduces their design origins and stories.
This two-day micro-getaway to Huairou combines art, romance, healing, and local charm. From an aesthetic art tour to a Great Wall night tour, from a millennia-old temple to a fascinating museum, unlock a sense of summer-specific relaxation in Huairou's evening breeze and local atmosphere.
Friendly Reminder: Summer weather can be changeable. The operational status of scenic areas and related activities may be adjusted dynamically based on weather conditions. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic areas for the most accurate information.
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