Found a Treasure in Qinhuangdao! Laojunding's "Mountains & Water + Rafting" Double-Buff Trip, I Could Do It N Times!

Hey everyone! Who says Qinhuangdao only has the sea? Hidden in the northern mountains, Laojunding is simply a divine spot for summer escape + amazing photos! It offers thrilling rafting where you can splash water, and serene green mountains and waters for a leisurely stroll. Even the air smells of grass and trees. This trip instantly landed me in the center of my WeChat Moments! 📸 🌟 Let's Talk About Laojunding's "Unique Features" - North China's Super Exciting Mountain Canyon Rafting: The entire course is 3.8 kilometers long! It's not a slow, leisurely float; there are several sharp turns with drops over 5 meters, where waves splash directly onto your face, instantly maximizing the cool sensation. Yet, it's not too dangerous, so the whole family can enjoy it (children must be over 1.2 meters tall) 💦 - Original Ecological Mountain and Water Secret Realm: Unlike popular scenic spots filled with artificial landscapes, here the mountains are green and the water is clear. Walking on the boardwalk, you can hear birds chirping and see small fish swimming. In summer, your eyes are filled with green, and in autumn, it transforms into a vibrant red and yellow contrast, providing ultimate healing ~ - Niche Ancient-Style Photo Spots: The scenic area hides Laojun Stone, the ruins of an alchemy furnace, and wooden bridges adorned with red lanterns. Just put on a Hanfu outfit and you can take stunning ancient-style photos. There are few people, so no need to fight for photo spots! 📅 Super Practical "1-2 Day Itinerary" 👉 One-Day Trip (Focus on efficient fun) 1. 09:00-09:30 Arrive at the scenic area: If driving, park directly in the scenic area's parking lot (free!). Buy your rafting tickets + entrance tickets at the gate. Remember to wear quick-drying clothes in advance and bring a waterproof bag for your phone ~ 2. 09:30-11:30 Explore the mountain and water boardwalk: First, take a leisurely walk on the "Yunqi Boardwalk." Along the way, you can see Qingya Waterfall and Yingyue Lake. Take advantage of the soft morning light to snap some beautiful photos! 3. 12:00-13:00 Enjoy local flavors: The farmhouses within 1 kilometer of the scenic area are all great! Must-try dishes include steamed mantis shrimp (freshly caught and incredibly delicious) and iron pot stewed mixed fish, paired with stir-fried wild vegetables and eggs. You can eat your fill for about 50 RMB per person 🥘 4. 13:30-16:00 Go rafting!: The water temperature is just right in the afternoon. Put on your life jacket and get on the rubber raft. Remember to splash water on your friends (prepare water guns in advance!). There's even a hot shower at the end, super thoughtful ~ 5. 16:00-17:00 Watch the sunset: Head to the mountaintop observation deck to wait for the sunset. Frame the entire scenic area's mountains and water in your lens. The evening light is super soft, making every photo look great! 👉 Two-Day Trip (Suitable for deep relaxation) - Day 1: Arrive at 2 PM, stay at a hotel within the scenic area. First, explore "Laojun Stone" and "Alchemy Furnace" for ancient-style photos. In the evening, go to Yingyue Lake to watch the sunset glow. Have a barbecue in the courtyard of your guesthouse at night (some guesthouses provide grills) ~ - Day 2: Wake up at 8 AM, enjoy the hotel's farmhouse breakfast (corn, eggs, millet porridge are super fragrant). Then follow the one-day itinerary. Return at 4 PM, plenty of time! 🚗 Transportation Guide (Both self-driving and public transport are convenient) - Self-driving: Navigate to "Qinhuangdao Laojunding Scenic Area." It's about 1 hour from Qinhuangdao city center and 1.5 hours from Beidaihe. Take the Jingha Expressway → Chengqin Expressway. After exiting the highway, all roads are asphalt and easy to drive ~ - Public transport: From Qinhuangdao Station, take "Funing Bus No. 6" to Funing Bus Station, then transfer to the "Funing-Daxinzai" special line, and get off at Laojunding Scenic Area Station. The whole journey takes about 2 hours. It's recommended to check the departure times in advance (one bus at 8 AM / one at 12 PM) ~ 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations (3 personally tested, no regrets) 1. Laojunding Resort Hotel: Right inside the scenic area! Open the window to mountain views, wake up to bird songs in the morning, and it's a 5-minute walk to the rafting starting point. No need to rush early, perfect for those who want to be lazy ~ Rooms have scenic balconies, great for stargazing at night ✨ 2. Qinhuangdao Shanhaijian Homestay: A 10-minute drive from the scenic area, a pastoral courtyard with swings and a small vegetable garden. The owner will give you homegrown peaches/plums. You can rent a grill for a barbecue, super suitable for family trips or trips with girlfriends ~ 3. Beidaihe Arcadia Seaside Resort Hotel: If you want to enjoy both mountains and sea, choose this one! It's a 1-hour drive from Laojunding. The hotel has its own private beach. After visiting Laojunding, you can go to the beach to walk on the sand, maximizing the vacation feel. The rooms are European style, great for photos too ~ 📸 6 "Photo King" Check-in Spots + Photography Tips 1. Qingya Waterfall (Rafting Starting Point) - Tip: Wear bright yellow/pink clothes (they contrast beautifully with the green mountains and water, making for great photos). Stand to the side of the waterfall, use a wide-angle lens on your phone, squat low, and make the water flow "float" over your head. Shoot before 10 AM to avoid backlight, making your legs look longer and capturing the entire waterfall 🌊 2. Yunqi Boardwalk - Tip: Walk in the middle of the boardwalk, turn back and smile + gently touch your hair. Have a friend shoot from below, capturing the curve of the boardwalk and the lush green trees. Shoot at 4 PM in the evening, when the sunset casts light spots on the leaves, creating an amazing atmosphere 🍃 3. Laojun Stone - Tip: Wear Hanfu/New Chinese style dress, place your hand on the stone, look into the distance in profile. Use a telephoto lens on your phone to compress the background, highlighting the person and the stone's outline. Shooting on a cloudy day gives it more of an ancient "fairy" feel 🪨 4. Wave Bend (During Rafting) - Tip: Put your phone in a waterproof bag and use sports mode. Have a friend sit in the front row, and you capture the moment the waves splash up from the back. Make your expressions exaggerated (big smile/peace sign). The orange life jacket makes you look super fair, full of dynamic energy 💦 5. Yingyue Lake - Tip: Find a willow tree by the lake as a foreground. Stand on the shore so your body and reflection are symmetrical. Use the "Reflection Mode" on your phone. Shoot when there's a light mist in the morning, it looks like you're in a fairyland. Wearing a white dress makes for even better photos 🌙 6. Mountaintop Observation Deck (Sunset) - Tip: Bring a straw hat/scarf, hold it up to flutter in the wind. Use panoramic mode on your phone to frame the orange-red sky, green mountains, and lake. Remember to place the person in the right 1/3 of the frame for a more comfortable composition 🌇 🌍 5+ Nearby Scenic Areas, More Value When Visited Together! 1. Shanhaiguan Ancient City: 30-minute drive from Laojunding. Explore the Ming city walls, eat Sijiao Baozi (a local long-standing brand), rent a Hanfu for ancient-style photos. The lanterns light up at night, creating a great atmosphere 🏯 2. Beidaihe Pigeon Nest Park: 40-minute drive. Go at 4 AM to watch the sunrise over the sea. You can also feed pigeons in the square and go clam digging for shells. A must-visit with kids 🌅 3. Nandaihe Xianluo Island: 35-minute drive. Take the cross-sea cable car to see the sea (the blue sea is right beneath your feet!). The island has bungee jumping and pirate ships, perfect for thrill-seekers 🎢 4. Meng Jiang Nü Temple: 25-minute drive. Explore ancient Ming and Qing buildings, learn about the story of Meng Jiang Nü. The "Number One Strange Couplet" in front of the temple is very interesting, suitable for ancient-style videos 🕌 5. Zushan Scenic Area: 50-minute drive. More magnificent mountains and waters than Laojunding, with a 100-meter drop waterfall and primeval forest. Suitable for hiking enthusiasts. You can see a sea of clouds from the mountaintop 🌲 6. Qinhuangdao Wildlife Park: 30-minute drive. Drive into the park to feed giraffes and zebras, and see pandas. A great stop for families with kids, who will be happy all day long 🦁 My dears! Laojunding is truly a "treasure scenic spot" I discovered in Qinhuangdao – you can play in the water, see the mountains, take beautiful photos, the itinerary isn't rushed, and it's cost-effective. I personally tested it, and my posts were flooded with questions asking for the address! Next time, I'll take you to unlock more niche beautiful spots in Qinhuangdao, such as a cliffside cafe hidden by the sea, and uninhabited islands where you can go clam digging ~ If you like it, quickly follow me! Otherwise, you might scroll past and lose me. Tell me in the comments if you'd rather go rafting or take ancient-style photos ~ ❤️