Longqing Gorge (龙庆峡), a stunning scenic area near Beijing, offers visitors a tranquil escape with its picturesque landscapes and serene boat rides. Whether you’re planning to travel by public transport or driving, this guide provides easy and efficient options to reach the gorge. The journey is straightforward, and the beautiful views make it worth every minute spent on the road.
Public Transportation Options
- From Deshengmen Bus Station (德胜门公交站):
- Take the 919 Express Bus to Yanqing Dongguan Bus Station (延庆东关公交站) (approximately 1.5 hours).
- Transfer to the Y43 bus and travel for about 30 minutes to Longqing Gorge Bus Station.
- From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to the scenic area.
- From Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站):
- Take the high-speed train to Yanqing Station (延庆站) (around 40 minutes, depending on the train schedule).
- From Yanqing Station, transfer to the Y43 bus for approximately 1.5 hours to reach Longqing Gorge.
- From Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店火车站):
- Take the Beijing Suburban Railway S2 Line, which offers views of the Great Wall and passes through the unique “Z” shaped rail tracks designed by Zhan Tianyou.
- Ride the train to Yanqing Station and transfer to the Y43 bus to the scenic area.
Among these options, the S2 Line from Huangtudian is particularly recommended for those who want to enjoy the scenic journey and historical railway design.
Driving Directions
- By Car:
- From central Beijing, drive along the Jingzang Expressway (G6) toward Yanqing. Take the exit for Yanqing, following the signs to Longqing Gorge.
- The distance is approximately 95 km and takes around 1.5 hours.
- Parking Fee: 25 RMB per vehicle (no time limit).
- From the Parking Lot to the Scenic Area:
After parking, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the entrance of the scenic area. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus for 10 RMB per person (payable at the ticket booth near small vendors).
Tourist Route in Longqing Gorge:
- The standard route is fixed and takes about 20 minutes.
- Begin by walking to the Dragon Head (Longtou) area, then take the electric escalator up to the boat dock to begin your boat tour through the gorge.
- The boat will first stop at Jinshan Temple Dock, where you can disembark and visit the small Jinshan Temple (around 10 minutes to explore).
- Continue by boat to Moon Bay Dock, where you’ll return to the starting point.
- Exit through the cave tunnel that leads you out of the scenic area.
For those who want to visit the top of the gorge, you can take a cable car (68 RMB per person) to the Fairy Palace (Shenxian Yuan) at the top for a panoramic view of the gorge.