Beidaihe Scenic Area

Beidaihe Scenic Area

Beidaihe Scenic Spot is a famous summer resort. It is located in the southwest of Qinhuangdao City. Its coastline, seaside attractions and convenient transportation all make it a popular destination for travelers. The region around Qinghuangdao has a temperate climate, with a monsoon cycle and four distinct seasons. It is neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in winter. On average, there are only about 8 days a year when temperatures reach 86F or higher. The lowest average temperatures rarely reach below 50F, even in the winter, thanks to the Bohai Sea currents. This makes Beidaihe convenient to visit year-round, although the best times to visit are from May to October.

It is estimated that there are about 6,600 hectares of forest and more than 9 acres of wetlands within the boundaries of the Scenic Spot. It also plays an important role in many species of birds’ migratory patterns. Every spring and autumn, from mid-March to late May and early September to mid-November, flocks of birds migrating between Siberia and Southern China use Beidaihe as resting grounds. During those periods, tourists can experience the sight of hundreds of red-crowned cranes and white storks flying through the sky. As a result, this area is considered to be China’s bird-watching mecca.

Beidaihe’s coastline is about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) long, providing plenty of beach space for tourists to enjoy. Many beachside villas and public facilities have also been recently built in the area, providing visitors with the opportunity to taste local snacks and seafood, ride in a speedboat, or try out ballroom dancing. A stroll on the pebbled sands can allow for a quiet moment away from the crowds.

In the central area of the Scenic Spot is the notable Tiger Stone Park. The area is so named because of the many large rocks there, which are said to resemble a pack of tigers. Climbing among the rocks can give a visitor a good view of the area and a chance to enjoy the —the cool sea breeze brushing against your body, the rhythmic crash of the ocean’s waves beating against the tiger stones, and the view of the ocean all might help you relax and get more in tune with nature.

To the east lies another famous attraction, the Eagle Stone (Yingjiao Shi) – a 66-foot (20 meter)-high rock said to resemble an eagle perched on a cliff. Because groups of doves nest in the cracks there, it is also called Dove Nest Park. The Eagle Pavilion Pavilion on the top of the Stone is renowned as a great place to watch the sunrise.

The pine-covered Lianfeng Mountain behind Beidaihe’s beaches comprises three peaks: the east, middle, and west peaks. Taking a secluded path will lead you to the Sea-view Pavilion (Wanghai Ting) at the top of the hill, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains. At the foot of Lianfeng Mountain is the beautiful Lotus Stone Park (Lianhuashi Yuan), so named because of the many large lotus-shaped stones.

In addition to the numerous aforementioned parks, visitors can also take their children to the Safari Park, a large zoo that houses over 5,000 animals. Among them are rare animals such as African lions, black swans and Siberian tigers. Tourists can feed and take photos with the animals under the guidance of zoo staff.

With mountains to hike, parks to stroll through, and beaches to enjoy, this scenic area has a wide range of natural scenery to enjoy, and is sure to thrill anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
 
Further Reading:
12 Popular Beijing Activities to Beat the Summer Heat
12 Best Places to Visit near Beijing