Beijing: The Wild Side

**Asher Sevy (G10)**

In this new article, Asher takes readers on a WILD tour of Beijing’s more unknown and exquisite sites. From the Wild Wall to the Wenyu river, he also shares his experiences to remind readers of the beauty of nature.

In the past year, many worldwide have been confined to their homes, and much of our everyday lives have been slowly gravitating to the digital realm. However, we shouldn’t let this increasing digitality stop us from seeing the beautiful natural world around us. Here are some amazing, adventure-packed outdoor areas that provide a break from your computer screen. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... Beijing: The Wild Side!

#1: Unrestored Great Wall (aka the Wild Wall)

Many of us have been to restored sections of the Great Wall, such as Mutianyu or Badaling, but the Wild Wall is a whole new experience, with guided tours as well as hiking and camping opportunities. It has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, with reviews regarding it as offering “unique experiences” and “breathtaking scenery.” It has also been referred to by many as a highlight of their trips to Beijing.

I have been able to hike the Wild Wall many times, and each time has been a unique experience for me. For me and many others, simply looking at photos of the Wild Wall doesn’t capture the raw beauty of it, and nothing comes close to being there in person. I would highly recommend trying this out!

#2: Beijing Back Gardens

This scenic nature preserve in Western Beijing is filled with many different activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and much, much more. One of the Back Gardens’ biggest natural attractions is a giant staircase that goes straight up one of its tallest mountains. What’s unique about the Gardens is that it doesn’t appear on the usual tourist websites or magazines, since it just opened recently, and is mostly known only to locals.

One of my favorite things to do at the Gardens is rock climbing. There is a multitude of different climbing routes of varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from beginner climbs to expert-level courses. As well as “top-roping” (rock climbing using a rope from the top, hence the name), these versatile routes offer other ways to conquer them, such as lead climbing, where the climber has to attach connectors to bolts in the wall and hook the rope into them, or “trad” climbing, where you jam various gear into cracks in the wall to hook into. This may sound complicated, but as long as you stay safe, it’s really a blast!

#3: Guyaju Cave Dwellings

No one knows for sure when these mysterious cave dwellings were created, but historians believe that they were carved out of the cliffside by ancient people between the Tang and Liao Dynasties. The dwellings consist of 350 different rooms carved out of 117 caves, spanning five whole kilometers. Despite the crude, primitive appearance, these dwellings are surprisingly complex, including stone beds, ladders, staircases, feeding troughs, ventilation, tables, chairs, ovens, pillars, and more. Many of these caves are actually accessible for anyone, and having an up-close and personal view of ancient creations is really astounding. This iconic site has received a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and is definitely a sight to see!

#4: The Dump

This mountain biking park, known to many as “The Dump,” has a multitude of various trails, slopes, jumps, and more! It has courses for all levels: long, meandering paths for those who like to take the scenic route, harsh, downhill zigzag runs for master bikers, and steep, smooth paved paths for the ones who just wanna go fast. This may not look like much at first, but don’t let the name fool you— it’s the polar opposite of its unfortunate title. The Dump is filled with trees and large, open expanses, perfect for you to explore.

#5: Wenyu River Greenway

The Wenyu River Greenway is a lush, green bike trail that runs alongside the Wenyu River. The beautiful foliage, sun-soaked trees, and smooth bike paths make it the ideal place for a run or bike ride, and it has many side trails that are perfect for aspiring adventurers and those who enjoy wandering off the beaten path.

Conclusion

Each of these one-of-a-kind locations is special in its own ways, and their stunning views help us all to remember to appreciate the beauty of nature— and the beauty of our lives. They all have unique stories, and we can go and write our own. So put down your computer, get out there, and have an adventure!