Beijing Getaways: Datong, Great Wall, Kaifeng, Nanxun, Pingyao, Qufu, Harbin, Urumqi, Huang Shan and Guizhou
Beijing makes for a good base for exploring the rest of China. Here are a few ideas for trips from Beijing to other areas of interest in China including Shanghai, Xian, Dali, Lhasa, Lijiang, Yangshuo, Kashkar, Chengdu, Chengde, Guangzhou, Lake Karakul, Jiuzhaigou, Songpan, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Nanning and Inner Mongolia.
Our China area and city guides have information on local attractions, hotel accommodation, places to eat and drink and full details on transport by plane, train and bus.
The closest cities of interest to Beijing include Chengde, Hohhot, Datong and Tianjin. Yuyang Ski Resort is just 60 km from the Chinese capital.
Chengde
The former Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) resort of Chengde, about 230 kilometers from Beijing in northeastern Hebei Province, makes a great weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Chinese capital.
Originally called Rehe, Chengde was a small, unremarkable city for hundreds of years, until it was transformed into a picturesque expanse of regal gardens, palace walls and ceremonial buildings in the 18th century.
Today a lively city of 3.5 million people, Chengde is best known for its Imperial Summer Villa and Mountain Resort (Bishu Shanzhuang) - a summer getaway for the Qing emperor and his court. Chengde is connected to Beijing by road, rail and air - most people opt for the relatively painless 4 hour train journey.
Datong
Many people are put off by their first impression of Datong, a large industrial city in the north of Shanxi Province near the border with Inner Mongolia. However, those who take time to look past the coal mines, power stations and huge locomotive factory soon discover some fascinating and picturesque ancient sites, remnants of the city's glory days as the capital of two dynasties.
Hohhot
Although Mongol culture is not as strong here as in Outer Mongolia (a separate country), the Inner Mongolian capital of Hohhot still offers visitors a range of cultural attractions, and is a good place from which to explore nearby grassland and desert areas.
Hohhot, which has only been the capital of Inner Mongolia for about 60 years, is now growing rapidly - today only a small percentage of the population is indigenous Mongol.
Mongolian Buddhism (a branch of Tibetan Buddhism) still flourishes, and there are many working temples in and around the city. Most of Hohhot's Mongolian residents continue to speak the Mongolian native language, as well as putonghua (standard Han Chinese), and much of the city's signage is bilingual.
Tianjin
Tianjin - also known by the Chinese as the "Shanghai of the North" - has a venerable and colorful history, but a proximity to Beijing means it has long played second fiddle to its larger neighbor in the tourist stakes.
Recent and ongoing investment in infrastructure and tourist attractions, however, coupled with its prominent role in hosting the 2008 Olympics, mean this city by the sea is proving increasingly popular for day trips and long weekend breaks, both with overseas visitors and Beijingers.
Yuyang Ski Resort
Though probably unlikely to satisfy the cravings of adrenaline junkies or speed demons, the gentle slopes of Yuyang Ski Resort offer a day of fun and sun in the snow in the back hills of Beijing.
Yuyang, which is situated just over 60 kilometres from Beijing was first opened in 2006 and claims to be the largest of its kind near Beijing. Whilst a glance at the piste map promises a choice of nine runs to suit a wide range of abilities, it is worth being aware that such variety may not always be available.