Dragon Cloud Mountain, 2012/12/30

Photos from a nice day out in Miyun District, with views of mountains and the frozen White River.

We started the hike by crossing an iron bridge by the river. The gate at the entrance of Longyunshan can be seen in the b
We started the hike by crossing an iron bridge by the river. The gate at the entrance of Longyunshan can be seen in the background.
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To start this hike we drove out to Miyun District, past the large reservoir that supplies emergency drinking water for Beijing, and up into the hills that surround the White River valley.

First, we hiked up to the summit of Dragon Cloud Mountain to take a look at the “Ghost House” – a house that’s actually left over from the set of a movie that was filmed there – and the river canyon below. The area is surrounded by mountains, and contains the largest river canyon in Beijing – as we climbed into the hills we got great views of both, as well as of the impressive rocks and cliffs of the canyon.

After we left the summit of Longyunshan, we ate our picnic lunches at a reservoir high up on top of a neighboring summit before descending back into the valley and walking along the frozen river. En route we passed through a cave and crossed the icy surface of the river before walking back to our starting point along the opposite bank.

The ice takes many interesting shapes and forms on the river’s surface and in some places is nearly a meter thick.

The ice takes many interesting shapes and forms on the river’s surface and in some places is nearly a metre thick.

Some of the beautiful patterns that the ice has formed on the river.

Some of the beautiful patterns that the ice has formed on the river.

Our group takes a short break in the river valley.

Our group takes a short break in the river valley.

Frolicking on the ice

It’s just like being at the beach! Well almost, only about 40 degrees colder. Here’s one of our guides literally lying down on the job, on an ice shelf over the river!

Snowy winter landscape

The snowy winter landscape brings out the kid in all of us, regardless of age! 2 hikers discover that the ice makes a great place to play.

Hikers playing on the ice

Just horsing around on the ice – we can give them a 10 for artistic impression though!

We continued our hike up the narrow river canyon.

We continued our hike up the narrow river canyon.

Frozen waterfalls

There were several beautiful frozen waterfalls en route.

As we started our ascent toward the summit of Longyunshan, we were treated to beautiful views of the surrounding area.

As we started our ascent toward the summit of Longyunshan, we were treated to beautiful views of the surrounding area.

A view of nearby peaks from near the summit of Longyunshan.

A view of nearby peaks from near the summit of Longyunshan.

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