Check in at the Yanqi Lake Plank Walkway in summer to experience the world of oil paintings and get travel tips

🌸 Take advantage of the weather before it gets too hot. It's a great choice to go to the suburbs and hike on the weekends. Recently, I revisited the plank walkway next to Yanqi Lake at the beginning of summer to enjoy the early summer scenery and also got some exercise. 🌞 This plank walkway is popular, with a beautiful environment and pleasant air. It's a great place for taking photos, enjoying the distant views, and hiking. After May, the grass is lush and the oxygen content is high. If the weather is clear, climbing up can be very relaxing. ☁ Under the blue sky and white clouds in the morning, coming here makes one appreciate the greenery in front of them, as well as the blue of the paths below the mountains and the lake in the distance. If you're used to the steel forest in the city, the visual experience here is quite different. Climbing might make you sweat, but it's truly refreshing, especially from morning to noon when the whole view ahead is bathed in light, with a strong sense of dimension and layers. The lake surface shimmers, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it feels a bit like an oil painting. 🌈 About time: If you're just checking in and taking photos, you only need to climb a short part of the mountain. A slow walk might take about 2-3 hours. ⏰ About the moment: It's recommended to go early in the morning, the earlier the better, because it will get very hot and crowded later on. Taking photos with the sun behind you after noon is also more challenging. 🚻 Suggested best travel route: The entire trail is too hot to climb in summer. Choose between entrance 1-3 along the lakeside, and 4-6 for more mountain views. The most essential route is between entrance 2 and 3, where there is a viewing platform 'Listening to the Geese Returning'. This is a must-check-in spot. Afterwards, if you're just taking photos, you can walk back. ❤ Which views are worth seeing? The best view is overlooking Yanqi Lake. Other than that, it's not much different from ordinary suburban parks, with wooden plank walkways being the main feature. 🏠 Which facilities are worth noting? There are many vending machines between the scenic spots and also many chairs, which is very user-friendly. However, there are few restrooms, so be aware. 📷 How to take beautiful portraits: It's not difficult to take photos on the wooden plank walkway, but it's much easier on the platforms. It's easy to find a good angle, even with a wide-angle lens. For pure scenery, a focal length of over 200mm is needed. 🚗 How to get there? It's recommended to drive. Navigate to Yanqi Lake P5 parking lot. The parking lot is large. If taking the S5 suburban train, get off at Yanqi Lake station and walk for 15 minutes to get there. ☎ How to buy tickets and make reservations? Just go there. It's a free suburban park. 🔥 Must-see TIPS before checking in: 1. Definitely don't go at noon. It's too hot and sunny. 2. Pets are not allowed. 3. Go on a sunny day for visibility reasons. Specific location: Near X004 (Fanqi Road), Huairou District. Just set your GPS. Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 Type of visit: Beijing suburban self-driving, landscape photography