1.5 hours direct from Beijing! Hidden 'healing wetland' where migratory birds, sunsets, and reed marshes will fill your memory card🌊

Guys! You know it! I discovered a 'sight-cleansing' paradise near Beijing – Guanting Reservoir National Wetland Park in Huailai County, Zhangjiakou! No need to squeeze onto a high-speed train to go far; one weekend self-drive trip is all it takes to experience the healing scenery of 'lake views + reeds + migratory birds'. It's perfect for walking the kids, dating, or relaxing. This guide will maximize your happiness! ✨ 🌟First, let's talk about the scenic area: The 'Four Seasons Surprises' of 47,000 mu of wetlands The moment you enter the park, you're surrounded by an 'oxygen bar' feeling! The wetland area of 47,000 mu is equivalent to over 4,000 football fields. Even the wind is fresh when walking on the wooden boardwalks~ - Spring: Orychophragmus violaceus and rapeseed flowers form a 'colorful carpet', with a sea of flowers below and blue sky above, every casual shot is fresh and artistic; - Summer: Lotus leaves reflect in the lake, occasionally dragonflies perch on flower buds, and in the evening you can hear frogs croaking, creating a super summery atmosphere; - Autumn: The reed marshes turn golden, rustling with the wind, and sunlight filters through the reeds, so beautiful it looks like a movie screenshot; - Winter: You can encounter wintering migratory birds like egrets and grey cranes. Standing on the bird-watching platform and watching them fly in flocks instantly makes you feel that 'life is worth living'! 🦅 📅Itinerary: Fun for 1 or 2 days [1-Day Lazy Version] (Perfect for a quick weekend trip) 9:00 Arrive at the scenic area → 9:30 Take long-distance shots/watch migratory birds from the bird-watching platform → 12:00 Eat reservoir fish at a nearby farmhouse restaurant → 14:00 Take photos on the reed marsh boardwalk + Rainbow Bridge → 17:00 Wait for the lake sunset → 18:00 Return trip, perfect timing, no rush! [2-Day In-Depth Version] (For those who want to relax) Day 1: Same as the 1-day trip, stay at a lakeside hotel in the evening, enjoy the lake night view before bed; Day 2: Get up early to photograph the wetland sunrise (6:30-7:00 is best) → Visit nearby scenic spots → Have a local meal at noon before returning, slow and super comfortable~ 🚗How to get there? Self-drive/public transport are both convenient - Self-driving: From Beijing, take the Jingzang Expressway/Jingxin Expressway, navigate to "Guanting Reservoir National Wetland Park". It takes 1.5-2 hours to arrive. The scenic area parking lot has plenty of spaces, and parking fees are not expensive; - Public transport: Take the high-speed train from Beijing North Station/Qinghe Station to "Huailai Station", then take a 15-minute taxi ride to the scenic area. The one-way high-speed train takes about 40 minutes, so you can go even without a car! 🍽️What to eat? Must-try "Reservoir Freshness" Don't just eat anything here! Be sure to focus on "Guanting Reservoir Specialties": - First recommendation: Live reservoir fish. Steamed or braised, both are excellent. The fish meat is so tender it melts in your mouth, and there are few bones, so it's suitable for the elderly and children; - Pair it with stewed free-range chicken with mushrooms + corn pancakes. The mushrooms are local wild fungi, and the corn pancakes soak up the chicken soup, so fragrant you'll want to lick the plate; - Don't want a big meal? Cold mixed wild vegetables and farmhouse tofu are also great. Nearby farmhouse restaurants are authentic, no need to look for trendy internet-famous spots, just go into one that has a lot of people! 🏨Where to stay? 3 hotels to choose from based on your needs 1. Crowne Plaza Huailai: Close to the scenic area, some rooms have lake views, and there's a children's play area, making it the top choice for families with kids. The facilities are new and comfortable; 2. Guanting Reservoir Fisherman's Island Hotel: Right by the lake! Open the window and you're greeted by wetland scenery. You can fall asleep to the sound of the lake at night, perfect for those who want to "get close to nature"; 3. Huailai Ruiyun Winery Hotel: For niche atmosphere lovers! Surrounded by vineyards, guests can also experience wine tasting. Super romantic for couples' dates~ 📸Photo spots + tips! Even beginners can take great shots 1. Bird-watching platform: Bring a telephoto lens to photograph migratory birds. Wear light-colored clothes (white, light blue) and stand on the viewing platform. With the lake and sky as the background, the picture will be super clean; 2. Reed marsh boardwalk: Crouch down and shoot from a low angle! Let the reeds block part of the lens to create depth. In autumn, pair with caramel-colored clothes to instantly become an "autumn vibe beauty"; 3. Rainbow Bridge: Stand in the middle of the bridge and take a side-profile back shot, using the arc of the Rainbow Bridge as the background. When the sun is good, the colors are super vibrant, remember to use live mode; 4. Lake sunset spot: 17:00-18:00 (slightly later in summer) Shoot silhouettes against the light. Hold up reeds or spread your arms. The reflection on the lake will make the picture softer; 5. Spring flower sea: Shoot from a low angle! Let the flowers fill the bottom of the frame. The person stands among the flowers and smiles. No need to show the whole face, a side profile or looking down to smell the flowers will make for better shots~ 💐 🌍5 hidden gems nearby! Don't miss them on your way 1. Jiming Post Station Ancient City: An 800-year-old ancient post station with ancient city walls and streets that are full of history. Wearing Hanfu for ancient-style photos is amazing; 2. Huanglong Mountain Villa: Features alpine meadows and birch forests. It's super cool for summer escapes, and you can also walk on the "Cloud Meadow" boardwalk; 3. Tianmo Film and Television Base: A mini desert! You can take "desert blockbusters", and also enjoy sandboarding and camel riding, a favorite for families with kids; 4. Huailai Zijing Manor: Pick grapes and taste wine. The small wooden houses in the manor are also great for photos, suitable for a slow-paced life; 5. Dong Cunrui Memorial Hall: A red tourism site where kids can learn history. The venue is not large but very meaningful~ 🏯 Guys! Guanting Reservoir National Wetland Park truly represents "low cost, high happiness". You don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy beautiful scenery everywhere~ Follow me! I'll continue to discover more niche travel destinations and share photography tips. Next time, I'll show you more interesting ways to play. Like and save this post, and you can directly copy this itinerary for your next trip! ❤️