Icefall Wonderland in the Suburbs of Beijing: A Winter Dream for Hikers

🌄 Aoyu Valley is located in Mentougou District, Beijing. It is a large valley between Shuangshitou Village and Cuandixia Village, with a total length of about 10 km and unique scenery. The river here is abundant all year round, and icefalls are everywhere in winter, like a fairy tale world of ice and snow. 🚗 Transportation 🚗 Self-driving: Aoyu Valley is not far from the city, so it is suitable for self-driving. Start from Junxiang Village, pass Qilifen to Aoyu Valley, then go to Donghulin, and finally return to Junxiang Village. The whole journey is 14 km and takes about 5 hours. 🚌 Public transportation: You can choose to get off at Qilifen and then walk into the scenic area. If you want to travel around the area, it is recommended to arrange two cars or take a bus in advance. 🗺️ Travel Route Planning 🚶‍♂️ Junxiang Village ➡️ Qilifen ➡️ Aoyu Valley ➡️ Donghulin ➡️ Junxiang Village 📏 The whole journey is 14 km, with an elevation gain of 300 m. The road conditions are good, with 50% of the road being village roads + river channels + very few steep slopes that require both hands and feet. 🚶‍♀️ Qilifen ➡️ Aoyu Valley ➡️ Donghulin 📏 The whole journey is 10 km, with an elevation gain of 300 m. It is suitable for two or more cars or bus trips. 🔄 Qilifen ➡️ Aoyu Valley and back 📏 The whole journey is 9 km, suitable for self-driving with a single car or with children, and you can return at any time. 🌉 Walking along the main road by the stream, you will first pass some small ice hanging areas, which are very suitable for taking photos. Continue to go deeper, and the spectacular main icefall is right in front of you. Standing under the icefall, it seems that time has frozen, and every drop of water is frozen into a crystal-clear artwork. Then, climb up along the small road next to it, and different angles bring different visual impacts. The scenery at the top of the mountain is equally charming. 📸 Recommended Attractions 🌟 First Icefall: A small dam near the entrance, with average scenery, can be passed quickly. 🌟 Second Icefall: Before climbing the steep slope, the ice surface here is relatively flat, suitable for stepping on ice and taking photos. 🌟 Third Icefall: You need to climb a steep slope (with ropes), and after bypassing it, you can see a more spectacular ice surface and icefall, which is definitely worth seeing. 💰 Ticket Information and Opening Hours 🚪 Aoyu Valley currently has no ticket fees and is open all day. However, for safety reasons, it is recommended to visit during the day. 🏨 Accommodation Guide 🏡 Cuandi Farmhouse: Offers authentic farmhouse dishes and a comfortable accommodation environment, very close to the scenic area. 🏠 Mentougou Homestay: Warm and tidy, suitable for family trips. 🍜 Food Recommendations 🍜 Zhajiangmian: A bowl of hot zhajiangmian with fresh vegetables is a warm comfort in winter. 🍠 Roasted Sweet Potatoes: The roasted sweet potatoes from roadside stalls are sweet and delicious, and you can warm your hands after eating. 📝 Tips 👟 Wear breathable, warm, and quick-drying base layers, and bring a down jacket or cotton coat. Don't forget crampons! 📱 Mobile phones and other electronic products are prone to power consumption and shutdown, so remember to stick a warm baby for insulation. 🚧 Do not go to remote roads alone, try to travel with companions, and pay attention to dark ice and gravel under your feet. 🌳 Protect the environment, do not litter, and keep this pure land clean.