Beijing Yanqing National Geological Park of Silica Woods remains one of the more unpopular destinations for travellers since its opening a year ago.
The name of the park sounds academic and carries an insipid meaning to most people who would never expect it to possess all the necessary elements for an ideal travel destination in terms of natural history and beautiful scenery.
Located 100km north of Beijing, the park is actually larger than its name indicates. It is situated on the drainage area of Baihe River in Yanqing County, covering a large and varied terrain of 226 square kilometres to include five different scenic spots and many natural and cultural relics.
The major attraction of the park is its unique geological terrain and silica wood, which consists of well-preserved fossils of trees. The park boasts the largest silica wood of its kind in North China, nestling on two sedimentary layers dating back to the Middle and Proterozoic Era.
The park extends 26 kilometres from east to west and eight kilometres from south to north.
It is hard for one to visit most of the spots within one day. A two-day stay would be best if you wish to look around all 25 sites.
To the west of the park is Yanshan Heavenly Pool - a large, clean expanse of water that has accumulated in Baihepu Reservoir. The dam is not as famous as Shisanling Reservoir and Miyun Reservoir, but it is actually the third largest reservoir in
Beijing and is the water source for its two more renowned water stores.
There are fewer restrictions on water-based activities and people are welcome to go yachting and fish in the reservoir.
The main differences between this park and other national parks are that its natural scenery has been largely untouched and the simple-minded yet warm-hearted villagers who always smile when they talk to you.
If you drive about 10 kilometres to the west of the pool and further into the park, you will find a small wood and village that is bisected by a road. The village is called Shoushuihucun. The villagers have cleverly paved the surface, set tables and chairs and added some simply self-made recreational facilities like a swing, turning the natural shade into a rest stop next to a running creek.
To have a meal there is simple and surprising. There is no a menu and the villagers charge 10 yuan or 15 yuan per person for simple peasants' food. The meat and vegetables are quite fresh and deliciously different from the things we eat in the city.
If you want to spend a night there, you can stay with the villagers. Many of them have set up guest rooms in their own homes, which comprise several beds in one room and charge around 15 yuan for each.
How to get there: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen to Yanqing County and change for a bus in the town. If you are driving your own car then start along Badaling Expressway and take the Yanqing exit, located near the end of the expressway. Continue to drive about 30km to the northeast and you will arrive at the west entrance of the park.
