Spend a day outside Beijing visiting the cliff-carved Guyaju Cave Dwellings and the illuminated Ice Lanterns at Longqing Gorge. This private tour pairs history and seasonal spectacle, with hotel pickup and entrance tickets included.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A morning drive out of Beijing dissolves the urban grid into terraces of scrub and sudden cliffs. The guide slips from map to story as the vehicle climbs into Yanqing County: by mid-day the party stands before a cliff face scored with doorways and windows—Guyaju Caves, an improbable vertical village carved into the rock. Rooms peer out like portholes; stone hearths and niches hint at ordinary lives lived in extraordinary places.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—able to handle uneven steps, short uphill walks and standing for guided explanations.
Wildlife
History
Guyaju is a rare example of a multi‑village cliff residence complex attributed to the Xiyi between the Tang and Liao periods, reflecting localized adaptation to vertical rock terrain.
Conservation
The caves and ice installations are fragile and seasonally sensitive—stay on marked paths, avoid touching ancient walls or sculptures, and follow local guidance to reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Private Tour to Guyaju Cave Dwellings and Longqing Gorge Ice Lanterns Festival today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers for the gorge
Temperatures can plunge near the water and inside ice installations—bring an insulated shell and gloves in winter.
Wear sturdy shoes
Guyaju’s carved dwellings require climbing uneven stone steps and short scrambles; ankle-supporting shoes are recommended.
Charge your camera and phone
Low light at the festival and tight cave passages drain batteries—carry a portable power bank.
Book morning pickup
Traffic leaving Beijing can delay arrival—an early hotel pickup keeps more time at both sites.
Insulated jacket
Keeps you warm at the gorge where wind and ice amplify cold.
winter
Sturdy walking shoes
Provides traction on carved stone steps and uneven terrain at Guyaju.
Refillable water bottle
Hydration for the drive and short walks—water is provided but having your own helps on the move.
Portable power bank
Keeps cameras and phones charged for low-light festival photography and navigation.