Shidu Scenic Area

Shidu means ten ferries, from the ten river crossings travellers once made to follow the Juma valley before roads and bridges were built. The river winds between limestone peaks and cliffs in a landscape closer to southern China than to the dry hills usually associated with Beijing, and the valley has been developed as the capital's nearest scenic area, with rafting, bamboo boats, bungee jumping, a glass viewing platform on the cliffs and a cable car. Guyaju, a set of cliff dwellings carved into rock nearby, and the Yesanpo area across the Hebei border extend the same landscape. Catastrophic flooding in 2023 damaged much of the valley's infrastructure.

What you actually see

• The karst peaks - limestone towers along the Juma River.
• The river activities - rafting, bamboo boats and bungee from the bridges.
• The glass platform - the cliff-edge viewing structure above the valley.
• The valley villages - settlements along the river with guesthouses.

When to go

May to October, when the river is warm enough for water activities and the valley green; winter is cold and most attractions close. Summer weekends bring heavy crowds from Beijing. Flood damage from 2023 has affected some facilities, so checking what is operating helps.

Honest expectations

The valley is heavily commercialised with separate tickets for each attraction. Summer flooding is a real risk in this catchment, and the 2023 floods caused deaths and destroyed roads. Weekend crowds and traffic are heavy.

Nearby

Yesanpo lies across the Hebei border; the Zhoukoudian caves are northeast.