Yanqi lake ripples with change

The Yanqi Lake, which literally means the lake where wild geese take a rest, is nestled against mountains on three sides, offering a fantastic view and a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of city life. [Photos by Pu Xiangdong / For China Daily]

Site for 2014 APEC summit is transforming into a tourism hotspot rich with idyllic scenes, delicious food and modern architecture.

For those who want to enjoy a pleasant day trip or weekend getaway from Beijing, there is one reason to visit the Yanqi Lake, Huairou district: The 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held there in November.

Recently, the area has attracted hordes of tourists after a major renovation project. For example, an ancient village street nearby is now home to more than 130 restaurants and shops after renovation in August, which are patronized by thousands of visitors on weekends. "Our village wants to take the APEC summit as an opportunity to showcase our delicious Chinese food and unique traditions to guests and help the local farmers become rich through the tourism industry," Bao Kun, a local official, told Chinese media.

The mountainous area is about 50 kilometers northeast of the heart of the city. The Yanqi Lake, which literally means the lake where wild geese take a rest, is nestled against mountains on three sides, offering a fantastic view and a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

It takes no more than an hour anda half to drive to the lake, where you can enjoy picturesque views of Yanshan Mountain and the Mutianyu Great Wall. You may as well bring a picnic mat, poker cards, board games, snacks and drinks, to have a nice picnic by the lake.

While walking by the banks, you will notice a giant building that looks like an egg from the front, and a scallop from both sides. It's Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing, which will open soon to host attendants for the summit from Asia-Pacific regions. As scallops represent "fortune" in Chinese culture, the hotel's unique shape symbolizes the country's booming economy and prosperous development.

With a height of 97 meters, the 21-floor building with a glass exterior can reflect the color of the sky on its top, Yanshan Mountain in the middle and the lake on the bottom.

On the west bank of the lake are the newly built Yanqi Lake International Convention Center in traditional Chinese style and 12 presidential villas for the summit. They have not yet opened.

Your journey starts at the Yanqi Lake Amusement Park, which offers various recreational options, such as boating, kart racing and rock climbing. In spring and autumn, you will see flocks of wild geese rest on the lake, with a shoreline of more than 20 kilometers. The favorable ecological environment also attracts swans and red-crowned cranes to play in the lake.

It's pleasant to sit on a boat shaped like the famous rubber duck, and immerse yourself in the pretty scenery of the lake.

After a moment of tranquility, you may want to try the more adventurous aquatic sports. You can enjoy ziplines, to fly from 32-meter high on a strop across the lake. Or, you can enjoy parasailing. You have to wear a parachute tied to a speedboat. When the speedboat arrows its way, you will be like a kite, flapping in the wind.

You can have a picnic on the lawnto have a rest, chat with friends, and take a stroll around the lake. Since March, the Huairou district government has upgraded the facilities of the Yanqi Lake Scenic Area and repaired the roads, to enhance the tour experience.

Yu Rongtian, deputy secretary of the Party branch of the scenic area, told the Xinhua News Agency that the upcoming APEC leadership summit is bringing more and more visitors to the area. Until the end of August, the number of tourists to the lake has increased by about 50,000 compared with the same period of last year.

You can also go to nearby villages such as Fan'gezhuang, which offers local farm food including tofu, pork and vegetables in season.