We enjoy cycling for the health benefits, the enjoyable experience, the sense of accomplishment and the contact with nature.
Last July (2020), we cycled to the Great Wall for the first time with a bunch of kids from our Cycling Summer Camp. We enjoyed that trip a lot. We cycled from our campsite in Huairou to Mutianyu Great Wall. A total trip of about 30 km. Last Monday my husband and I decided to retake that trip by ourselves.
From our home in Shunyi to Mutianyu Great Wall there are about 40 km. It is a very pleasant ride especially when you plan on going for a ride with your loved ones. The cycling path – bicycle lane – is quite wide which makes cycling on the road less intimidating. Even though Mutianyu is a popular destination during holidays, the roads were not too busy.
Passing through charming villages, looking at the mountain chain rising in front of us as we paddled uphill made us feel great. Peach trees were blooming left and right. The fragrant smell of cherry and plum blossoms made riding through those orchards extremely enjoyable as well. Family owned restaurants painted in bright colors inviting for a stop to get lunch, small ranches along the river valley inviting for fishing or skipping stones.
Approaching the entrance to Mutianyu, we passed under an aqueduct spreading from one mountain to the other. With satisfaction, we reached our destination where we took some pictures and turned back downhill. Enjoying the wind blowing through our hair we descended from the mountains north of Beijing. Going downhill on our bikes was the reward for the struggle going uphill earlier. The view was great in both directions. Since it was our first longer distance ride of the season we scheduled a massage and a relaxing sauna time afterwards.
Cycling through the outskirts of Beijing is one of our favorite things to do on a sunny, or sometimes less sunny day any time of the year and 80 km can make a nice morning or afternoon ride. There are so many places to explore around and we are looking forward to our next ride.
