Shuiquan Canyon | Looking down on a pool in the canyon
Autumn colours in the hills above the Shuiquan Canyon.

‘Big Cloud’ Valley and Shuiquan Canyon

Hike down 'Big Cloud' Valley, climb a short, steep stretch of the Longquanyu Great Wall, and then descend into Shuiquan Canyon for a fun walk up a boulder-filled river valley.

Level 4
3–4 hours of hiking over approx. 10km. (Can I do it?)

This hike is not currently scheduled

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In winter, in the valleys and canyons in Yanqing District, the streams, rivers, and any little trickles of water freeze up into slabs of ice.

As more water runs over the slabs of ice, it too freezes, and the ice expands to cover hiking trails and, in some cases, the entire valley floor. Boulders and rocks are encased in ice, and tree trunks are enveloped.

'Big Cloud' Valley is shaded by high cliffs, and it holds a small stream that flows from a spring, year-round.

In winter, that small stream freezes and expands to make something like a mini-glacier.

Shuiquan Canyon is wider, and the boulders and pools of water are larger—the pools of water freeze, and we're able to pick a path over and around boulders as we hike up.

On this hike, we'll head down 'Big Cloud' Valley, and then hike a short, steep stretch of the Longquanyu Great Wall before descending into Shuiquan Canyon.

At this time of the year, the streams might be just starting to ice up a little.

A frozen stream in the valleys near Longquanyu
Frozen streams in 'Big Cloud' Valley.

We'll start the hike by walking down into a small village.

The village is popular with weekend day trippers because it is right by the Longquanyu Great Wall, which we also love to visit for a day hike.

Out the back of the village we'll find the trail that leads down into 'Big Cloud' Valley. To start with, it's fairly easy going on a dirt road. As we get further down into the valley, we cross the frozen stream a few times and then descend on to the narrow floor of the valley, picking a path through the ice and rocks.

Crossing the stream in ‘Big Cloud’ Canyon.
Crossing the stream in ‘Big Cloud’ Valley. (Click for larger image)

Near the end of the valley is the Little West Lake park area. Instead of hiking out through the park, we'll climb a steep section of Great Wall and head for Shuiquan Canyon.

We'll go up and over the wall, and then down to a dip where we’ll find the steep track that leads down into the Shuiquan Canyon.

Once we’re down into the canyon we’ll follow a short section of the Little West Lake park trail up to the Black Dragon Pool. We’ll use stepping stones to cross the first part of the pool, and then cross over large boulders and a rushing stream as we exit the park area.

Boulder-hopping in the canyon
Boulder-hopping in Shuiquan Canyon. (Click for larger image)

It’s not far until the next big pool. Back in the day we used to have to use boats to cross this pool – it was either that or swim – but the boat team got kicked out for operating without permits and a little bridge was built instead. The little bridge isn’t in great shape, with some of the footboards missing. The frame of the bridge is solid, and you don’t need to worry about falling in the water.

Beyond that pool, the path continues over and around boulders as we hike up to the head of the canyon and out to the village where we finish the hike.

COVID-19 and participation precautions

The brief version:

  • Please DO NOT participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of fever and/or have an elevated temperature, or have been in close contact with someone who was/is.
  • You MUST agree to the mitigation and prevention measures outlined here and that Beijing Hikers will not be held responsible if any participants become sick.

Please read in full here: Operating hikes under COVID-19 precautions

Related content

Photos and trip reports: ‘Big Cloud’ Valley and Shuiquan Canyon

  1. Big Cloud Valley and Shuiquan Canyon, 2021/06/26

    Big Cloud Valley and Shuiquan Canyon, 2021/06/26

    After reports from local friends of heavy rain in the area the night before we weren’t sure what we’d find in the valleys here—turns out we found evidence of some flooding, and a lot of mud! See 10 photos.
  2. Shuiquan Canyon, 2018/12/01

    Shuiquan Canyon, 2018/12/01

    We revived part of an old trail to make a new-ish route—see a set of 20 photos of bouldery scenery and icy rivers from the Shuiquan Canyon hike.

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