How to Visit Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival

Plan your Beijing winter tour? Don’t miss an excursion to Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival. Basically each year it will be open around Jan 05. In some occasions, it will be delayed for a few days. But if even it is delayed, you still can go there to have a glimpse of the ice festival site which is under preparation, still a fun. Have a good time in Beijing!

This famous ice and snow festival boasts the three intriguing items – Ice Lanterns, Ice Carving and Snow Sculptures. If you are not going to have a Harbin tour for an amazing ice and snow festival in Harbin, Beijing Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival is a perfect substitute.

The venue for Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival is the narrow valley in the Longqing Gorge Scenic Area ( also called Longqingxia Scenic Area). Here “xia” literally means “gorge”. The Longqing Gorge Scenic Area is 15km in the northeast of Yanqing County, about 98km from Beijing city center.

The Longqing Gorge ( or Longqingxia ) is a famous summer resort, a 7-km long ravine passed by the Gucheng River, which is dubbed as “Little Li River”, or “Little Three Gorges of Yangtze River”. But if you come here in winter, you can  see ice lanterns, ice and snow sculptures during the ice festival period.

Each year Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival has a different theme for the ice  and lantern activity.  You can also visit the ice lantern festival in the daytime. Of course, the best time to view the ice lanterns is in the evening lasting from 5pm to 10pm.

The venue for Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival is adjacent to several winter attractions such as Badaling Great Wall, Shijinglong Ski Resort and Badaling Ski Resort. You can combine two or three sights in a one-day Beijing excursion.

Venue

Longqing Gorge Scenic Area ( also known as Longqingxia Scenic Area) in the north of Gucun Village, Jiuxian Town, Yanqing County, Beijing  延庆县旧县镇古城村北龙庆峡景区 Festival Time: Jan 10 – Feb

Longqong Gorge (Longqingxia) located about 98km northwest of Beijing city center

Opening Hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Entry Tickets: RMB 100; RMB 50 (students); Free for travelers under 12 years

Enquiry: 69191020

How to get there

Bus: take Bus 919 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal and get off at Yanqing County and change for Bus 920 for Longqing Gorge  S Train: take S train to Yanqing County.

Self-drive: Drive along Badaling Expressway (Jingzang Expressway) and eixt from Exit 62, pass by Yanqing County, drive along National Highway.

Organised Longqing Gorge Ice Festival Day Tour:

1) Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival & Badaling Great Wall Day Tour
2) Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival Night Tour

The lit colorful lanterns with the backdrop of the lit Grea Wall
The lit colorful lanterns with the backdrop of the lit Great Wall
The radiant ice lanterns
The radiant ice lanterns
The lit ice carvings
The lit ice carvings
The colourful Ice Carvings
The colourful Ice Carvings
Have a close look at the ice sculptures
Have a close look at the ice sculptures
A panoramic view of the ice city of carvings
A panoramic view of the ice city of carvings

Add-on

Top 10 Ski Resorts in Beijing
Top 10 Ice Rinks in Beijing
Houhai Winter Ice Skating Rink
How to Visit Great Wall of China in Winter
Top Things to Do in Beijing in the Winter
How to Visit Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival
What to see and do at the temple fairs in Beijing
Snow and Ice at Bird’s Nest (National Stadium)
How to Spend Spring Festival in Beijing
How to Spend Christmas Eve in Beijing
Longtan Lake Park Temple Fair

Tip:  Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Beijing:

Beijing Winter Tour
Beijing 5 Day Winter Tour Package
Car Rental in Beijing
Beijing Day Tour
Beijing Tour Packages
Great Wall Tour
China City Tours
China Tour

Further Readings


Best Time to Visit Beijing
How to plan a trip to Beijing

Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
Top 10 Tourist Scams Beijing
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites

Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping

Wangfujing Night Snack Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Beijing Huguosi Street

Any questions, just drop a line.

52 thoughts on “How to Visit Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival

  1. I am keen to go on this tour on the 26th of January 2013.

    1. How would I book this tour?
    2. I have 5 adults and 1 child (16 years old)- how much would the tour cost altogether?
    3. If possible, could I arrange so that we leave earlier from our hotel- say 2pm? I would like to see the Gorge during the daytime.

    Please get back to me as soon as you can.

    Thank you,
    Yen

  2. Hello Yen

    Thanks for your enquiry for a day trip to Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival. Tomorrow, one of our staffers will contact you for the detailes. Thanks!

  3. Hi, I would like to book a night trip for the Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival for the 9th or 10th of February 2013? For two adults.

    Thank you!

  4. Hello Dorette,

    Thanks for your enquiry for your trip to Longqing Ice Lantern Festival! At the moment, all the booking for the new tours during the new years has terminated. Sorry!

  5. Hello Hanifah,

    Normally, each year the Longqing Ice Lantern Festival is open roughly between Jan 10 and Feb 28.

  6. hello i would like to visit the ice latern festival nextweek. how much does it cost per person and when do you have tours? we are 3-4 person.

  7. Hello Mrinal Ragobur,

    At the moment, we don’t have fixed departure group tour of Longqing Ice Festival. You may rent a van to go to the site or you may use the public transport to visit the ice lantern festival.

    How to get there
    Bus: take Bus 919 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal and get off at Yanqing County and change for Bus 920 for Longqing Gorge
    S Train: take S train to Yanqing County
    Self-drive: Drive along Badaling Expressway (Jingzang Expressway) and eixt from Exit 62, pass by Yanqing County, drive along National Highway 110 and follow the sign to Longqing Gorge.

    If you need to book a van or tour guide, please contact us via email ([email protected]).

  8. Is it nice to visit longqing this coming weekend? April 6? Do you have tour from beijing. We are 2 adults 2 children age 11 and 6.

  9. Hello Lorie,

    At the moment, we don’t have a fixed departure coach tour running to Longqing Gorge. It is located about 80km in the northwest of Beijing city center. You may hire a vehicle, or use public transport such as Bus 919 or S trains from Beijing North Railway Station.

    By the way, the Longqing Gorge Lantern Festival has already ended. But you still find much fun in this scenic area like Bungee jumping, boating , sliding, hiking and have a bite of the local food at the farms inns or restaurants.

  10. I am travelling to China in January 2014, and will be in Beijing from the 5th to the 8th of January.
    Is the ice festival on during this period? I know this year the festival started on the 10 th, so I am very keen to find out if We miss it in 2014.
    Thankyou.

  11. Hello Susan Fry,

    Basically each year it will be open around Jan 05. In some occations, it will be delayed for a few days. But if even it is delayed, you still can go there to have a glimpse of the ice festival site which is under preparation, still a fun. Have a good time in Beijing!

  12. Hello Cecilia,

    At the time of my writing, no exact time for the Ice Festival Opening, but basically it will be open around Mid-Jan, 2013.

  13. Hi Daniel,

    I need to plan a trip down to this place between 16-18 Jan.

    Are you able to advise if is there any transport provided from my hotel at dongcheng district to there and back to hotel after viewing?

    Thanks!

  14. Hi,

    I have 4 adults and we are wondering if you would do a tour that combines Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tomb and Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival? The date that we would be looking at doing it is the 17th January 2014.

    Thanks,
    Naomi

  15. Hello Naomi,

    Thanks for your enquiry! One of our staffers will reply to you on Monday (December 2, 2013). Kind regards, Daniel Li.

  16. We are looking to do a day tour of The Great Wall and Visit Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival around the 15 – 18 January 2014. Can you tell me if the festival will be under way by then and the best way to do a tour? Ideally we would like a small group with an English speaking guide. Any advice would be appreciated. Michael Robinson.

  17. Hello Michael Robinson,

    Yes,normally the ice festival will be open around Jan 15. You may take public bus 919 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal. As far as I know there are no small group tours visiting both the Great Wall and Longqing Lantern Festival. You may rent a private car or van to visit the two places.

  18. Hi,
    I live in Beijing. I need to rent a small private car(with driver) to take us to the Longqing Ice festival and back.
    Could you say how much that costs?
    And please send me a phone number I can call and book a car.
    Thanks

  19. Hello Peter,

    Thanks for your enquiry! Tomorrow one of our staffers will email you for the details. Office phone: 67160201 ext 1006. Office hour: 9am – 6pm

  20. Hello Peter,

    Thanks for your enquiry! Tomorrow one of our staffers will email you for the details. Office phone: 67160201 ext 1006. Office hour: 9am – 6pm

  21. Hello

    No fixed departure tour groups to Longqing Gorge. You may take a taxi or public bus.

    Bus: take Bus 919 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal and get off at Yanqing County and change for Bus 920 for Longqing Gorge S Train: take S train to Yanqing County.

  22. Hello,
    I would like to visit Longqing Gorge on 6th April 2014. Will the park be closed?

  23. Hello Jison,

    Longqing Gorge is open all year around.

    Opening hours: 07:30 – 16:30

    Entrance fee: RMB40 (April-Nov)

  24. Hello,
    I would like to visit the ice festival from Beijing on Feb. 6th, 2016.
    What are your recommendations for Yanqing lodging for an overnight trip?
    (Mid range budget)

    Thank you in advance!

  25. Hi Erin,

    I have three choices of Yanqing lodging for your reference.

    1) Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resort 延庆金隅八达岭温泉度假村
    Add: Guishui N St, Yanqing, Beijing,
    Tel: +86 10 6914 8833
    Note:you can do the booking through the page: http://english.ctrip.com/hotels/beijing-hotel-detail-482742/beijing-jinyu-badaling-spa-resort/

    2) The Great Wall Courtyard Hostel
    The Great Wall Courtyard Hostel
    Tel: +86 10 69121156, +86 13911753888
    Fax: +86 10 69122118, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
    Note: Please visit the website (http://www.courtyard.cc/ ) and directly book online.

    3) Commune by the Great Wall
    Please visit their official website ( http://commune.sohochina.com/en ) and book online.

    Please choose the best one you like per your taste and budget.

    Have a good time in Beijing!

  26. Hi,

    My husband and I are going to Beijing for the Chinese New Year. I need to rent a small private car(with driver) to take us to the Longqing Ice festival and back on February 11nd.
    Could you tell me how much that costs?

    Thanks!

  27. Hi Dorin,

    We’ve just called the administraion for the ice lantern festival, they say the festival will end around Feb 28, 2016. Have a good time!

  28. Hi Ravi,

    Actually no fixed official opening date is set for Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival. Its actual opening date largely depends on the weather condition and other factors invlved. Basically it opens around Feb 10. If you want to visit Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festiva on JAN 3rd, 2017, it is worth going there to have a look since the preparation period for the festival is also interesting though it doesn’t open officially.

    Have a nice time in Beijing!

  29. Hi will this festival be open by 14th January this year? Will be in Beijing 13-16 January 2017, wondering if I can catch this festival in time because I heard that the gorge will be closed to all visitors until the festival begins.

  30. Hi Kristel,

    Basically it will be open on Jan 10,2017 on a trial basis and officially open on Jan 16, 2017 according to previous years’ experiences. The actual opening time is not yet known. Normally you can visit the ice lantern festival during your time frame.

    Have a nice time in Beijing!

  31. Hi,

    Is it possible to travel from Badaling Great Wall to the festival?

    Also, what is the last time bus one can get back to Beijing from the festival?

  32. Hi Kaz,

    Happy Holidays!

    It is not easy to go by public transport from Badaling Great Wall to Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival. You may hail a local taxi from the Great Wall to the festival site.

    As for the transfer from the festival site to Beijing, you need to take the local bus from the festival site to Yanqing county where you take the Bus 919 ( last bus: 6:30pm) back to Deshengmen Bus Terminal in Beijing. Note: you may also take a local taxi from the festival site the Bus Stop of 919 in Yanqing County.

    Alternatively, you can take the S2 train from Yanqing Railway Station to Huangtudian Railway Station in Beijing( Last train:8:59 leaving Yanqing ).

    You also can take the S2 train from Beijing to Badaling Great Wall by train. Check out the link below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train

    Have a nice time in Beijing!

  33. Hi Lindsey,

    Happy Holidays!

    Basically the festival ends at the end of Febuary. So you hit the right time for the festival.

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