Miyun Reservoir (Ring-Road Viewpoints) (密云水库)

The short answer: Miyun Reservoir is a 4.375-billion-cubic-metre (43.75亿立方米) artificial lake (built 1958–1960) that is one of Asia's largest and supplies Beijing — the 白河 main dam is 960 m long and the ring road around the reservoir is about 110 km. It is not a formal ticketed scenic area and is not open for touring inside, because it is a protected drinking-water source; visitors view it from viewpoints, the ring road and the surrounding countryside. The best bases are lakeside villages and the 'reservoir fish street' (水库鱼街) south of the dam.

At a glance

Where it is: 北京市密云区城北13公里处 (about 13 km north of Miyun town, Miyun District)
How long to allow: Half a day to a full day for a ring-road drive
Ticket & access: No admission — the reservoir is not an open scenic area and cannot be toured inside (per Visit Beijing: 非景区). Viewpoints and the fish streets are free and open all day;

What it is

Miyun Reservoir is a 4.375-billion-cubic-metre (43.75亿立方米) artificial lake (built 1958–1960) that is one of Asia's largest and supplies Beijing — the 白河 main dam is 960 m long and the ring road around the reservoir is about 110 km. It is not a formal ticketed scenic area and is not open for touring inside, because it is a protected drinking-water source; visitors view it from viewpoints, the ring road and the surrounding countryside. The best bases are lakeside villages and the 'reservoir fish street' (水库鱼街) south of the dam.

Why it's worth the stop

'Pearl of Yanshan' (燕山明珠) — Asia's largest artificial lake
110 km scenic ring drive (环湖公路)
Baihe main dam (66 m high, ~960 m long)
Waterfront homestays and the fresh-water-fish (水库鱼) food streets

Getting there

Take 980/980-express from Dongzhimen to Miyun Gulou, then bus 987 or a ~18 km taxi (about ¥52) to the reservoir; many drive via G101 / Jingcheng Expressway.

Tickets and opening hours

No admission — the reservoir is not an open scenic area and cannot be toured inside (per Visit Beijing: 非景区). Viewpoints and the fish streets are free and open all day; best in early morning/sunset.

Practical details

Where it is: 北京市密云区城北13公里处 (about 13 km north of Miyun town, Miyun District)
How long to allow: Half a day to a full day for a ring-road drive
Drive the 110 km ring loop; budget 3+ hours to circle it and stop at viewpoints and villages.
Because it is a water-source area, don't enter restricted banks — stick to designated viewpoints and 水库鱼街.