Miyun Reservoir

Miyun Reservoir is an artificial lake in a mountain valley about 100 kilometers northeast of Beijing, fed by the Chaohe and Baihe rivers. The water surface spans roughly 180 square kilometers (69 square miles) with an average depth around 100 feet (30 meters), holding up to 4 billion cubic meters of water at capacity.

Construction began in September 1958 and finished in 1960 to control floods, support farming, and supply the growing city of Beijing. Since the 1980s, it has become the primary drinking water source for the city, serving more than 11 million residents daily.

The reservoir has served as a central resource for local communities, with fishing and water use shaping daily life and settlement patterns around its shores. Today, its status as Beijing's primary water source defines how the area functions and how people interact with the landscape.

The reservoir sits in a mountain setting with open views and quiet surroundings suitable for outdoor exploration. A long road called Huanku Road runs along the water for about 110 kilometers (68 miles), providing access to different points around the shoreline.

The reservoir freezes over regularly from December through March, creating a dramatically different appearance and changing how the water can be used during those months. This seasonal transformation is a striking feature that visitors often do not anticipate.