A hidden gem just 3 hours' drive from Beijing, and I discovered it!

🎈Luanhe Shenyun, a very niche scenic spot, and I found it. ✨Located in Guyuan County, Zhangjiakou, this scenic area combines grasslands, rivers, wetlands, and historical culture. The best time to visit is July and August. 🚗It’s a 3-hour drive from Beijing. Just navigate directly to Luanhe Shenyun, where there is a parking lot at the entrance. The scenic area itself is not very large and quite off the beaten path. The ticket price is 60 RMB, which is a bit expensive. If you’re short on time, you can see everything in half an hour. It’s not really worth a special trip (there’s also the Kulun Naer Grassland nearby, which you can check out). 🌿The whole route is on wooden boardwalks, so it’s not tiring. Although the scenic area is small, you can enjoy the winding Lightning River with its nine bends and eighteen turns along the boardwalk, or overlook the spectacular view of the river twisting like a ribbon through the grasslands from the viewing platform. 🌈On a clear day, it feels like walking among the clouds, with big fluffy clouds that seem just within reach, ☁️ very much like the “Summer of Hayao Miyazaki” in animations 📸. It’s a great spot for photos. There’s no food inside the scenic area, so if you just want to relax and enjoy the scenery, it’s worth a visit. For meals and accommodation, you’ll need to go to Guyuan County town.