 Haizi Click to get the inside scoop from real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Haizi Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
3 Haizi Tips. 5 Haizi Photos. 0 Haizi Videos. Haizi Pages by mke1963 Sponsored Links for Haizi
Beijing Hotels Hotel Photos, Info & Virtual Tours Book with Expedia and Save!
China Hotel Discover the local secret for great hotel deals in China. Book now!
Travel China and Save? Tailor Made Vacations to China, by 200 China-based tour operators.
beijing hotels centrally located courtyard hotel set in beijing with rich history!
China Travel Service Tailor made China Travel Call China Travel expert now!
|
| Page Views: 1,749 Last Visit to Haizi: October, 2004 | Silver pagodas, silver mountains by mke1963 - last update: Oct 6, 2004 |
| A silver pagoda, a silver mountain |
Haizi village lies on a quiet road, the S213, which runs north from the large village of Xia Zhuang north of Beijing. It is a little known area of quiet valleys and wooded hills, with the Silver Mountain peak visible for al around. The huge boulders of this metamorphic mountain stand out for miles around. In the sunshine, the shimmering smooth slabs of rock really do look like silver. Unfortunately, Haizi and Xia Shuang are stil in the 'smog zone' of Beijing, and clear skies are common only after rain or when there are strong winds. While there are many valleys pushing into the mountains north of Beijing, this is one of the quietest - perhaps surprising given its close proximity to Huanghuacheng, the current "in" wall-visiting hordes. Perhaps the reason is that the Great Wall is *not* here, leaving the ranges and mountains unspoiled, unlittered and perfect for walking. |
| Early autumn on the silver mountain |
|  | Another reason for the solitude is that unlike most other valleys, the river does not flow much except after heavy rainfall, and without a stream there are no restaurants and cafes lining the road up the valley. In fact, because of this water shortage, there are few villages, and because it is just too far for travelling in to Beijing every day, there is little modern development in the villages. There is money here, from the hard, back-breaking farming in the side valleys: haws, chestnuts, walnuts, peaches, apples, pears and almonds from the trees, with pumpkin, lettuce, and corn in the fields. The money has brought prudent affluence to the villages, yet these rural people prefer to use the older style of house-building, so the villages have been nicely preserved without stagnating. Traditional architecture can be seen al along the valley, and there is evidence of older houses being restored. It is such a shame, though, that the people are still content to tip their rubbish and rubble into the river bed. |
| Looking down on the Haizi valley |
|  | Getting to this area is not easy. It is not far, but it is away from the main through roads and signposting is in Chinese script only. Take Jingshun Lu north until the 6th ring road. Turn left onto the road that runs parallel to the highway and continue until you come to a big roundabout, turning right towards Xia Zhuang. This road heads due north, passing under a railway line alongside a huge dry river bed. Keep driving north through villages until you come to the Silver Pagoda Mountain Park (signposted in Chinese but with photographs of the pagodas on the huge board). There is a bright pink restaurant set back from the road on the left at the junction. Haizi village is another 2km further on, on the left. I don't know of any area so close to Beijing where you can really get a feel for rural China as this valley. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Peace and quiet, great hill-walking" | | Cons: | "Not much litter, but any is too much!" | | In A Nutshell: | "A great get-away from Beijing" |
mke1963's Haizi Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations Tips: 1 | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
Comments for mke1963 about Haizi | | | | |
themajor Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:44 UTC 'The Repentance Room Country Blessing Buddha Great Chan Master Pagoda' might not have the snappiness of 'Dunroamin' but somehow it feels more apt... | Confucius Mon Apr 4, 2005 04:09 UTC I never heard of this kid (Haizi?) Your intro photo is very well done. This looks like a great destination off the beaten path. |
|
|