Cyclists from home and abroad participate in this year's Beijing International Cycle Expo in Yanqing county this month. [Photo by Jia Deyong/For China Daily]

Baili Landscape Gallery

The county's northwestern Baili Landscape Gallery ranks among Beijing's top 10 bike tracks because of its well-paved, tree-lined paths, Wang says. The shade cast keeps cyclists from overheating along the 30-km route that takes about three hours to complete.

The track runs from the Gangou Service Center to Xiushui Bay and then past Changshou Ridge before passing the Silicified Wood National Geological Park and Dishui Lake. Part of the path follows dinosaur tracks.

Central route

The Guihe Ecological Corridor runs about 70 km across the middle of Yanqing. It circles the Guishui River near downtown.

The route connects the Wild Duck Lake National Wetland, Xiadu, Guishui and Binhe forest parks. Cyclists often stop off for rural specialties like Liugou village's tofu and Xiashuimo village's fried cakes.

Northern route

The Longqing Gorge route runs 50 km in the north of Yanqing. Cyclists can stay overnight in cabins in the Longwan International Camping Park, enjoy flora at Changliying village's Guizhou Peony Park and make pottery in Pengyao village.

Xianglonglu

Food and flowers fill the 26-km Xianglonglu lane－Xinzhuangbao offers apricots; Liubinbao produces Chinese dates; and Huahai Tianyuan's Ecological Garden serves black-pork dishes.

Gulonglu

The Gulonglu route runs 23 km to the boundary between Beijing and neighboring Hebei province. The Yudu Mountains remain relatively undiscovered among tourists. Cyclists often visit the Huihuang International Resort's golf course and wine estates.

Southern route

The 7-km Shixia lane passes the Badaling's Great Wall, National Forest Park and Wild Animal World. Lipao village's grapes and Shixia village's stone-pot dishes are local specialties.

Southeastern route

The Dazhuangke lane is a bit of a distance from downtown Yanqing but cyclists can see the Lotus Mountains, Great Wall ruins and the Wanglongtan Grand Canyon. Chinese chestnuts, walnuts and mushrooms are peddled along the pedaled roads. Cyclists can view glacial remnants.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

Gu's new company, Merida Banshanhu Bicycle Station, offers free pick-ups for bike renters at Nancaiyuan.

Tourists can take Bus 919 at Deshengmen and get off at Nancaiyuan or ride the S2 Rail from Beijing North Railway Station to Yanqing. Both take roughly two hours.

Bikes must be returned by 5 pm, or cyclists are charged for an additional day. A 500 yuan deposit is required for each bike.

Call 156-0129-1526. Reservations are preferred before weekends.