Beijing 2nd Ring Ancient Capital Loop

About the Beijing 2nd Ring Loop

Beijing's 2nd Ring Road traces the outline of the ancient Ming Dynasty city walls — a rectangular loop that has defined the city's core for over 600 years. When the city walls were demolished in the 1960s to make way for the ring road, the moat system survived, and today Beijing has built a 35-kilometer urban greenway along these ancient waterways, connecting parks, historical sites, and riverside paths into one continuous loop.

This cycling route follows the Second Ring Greenway (环二环城市绿道), using dedicated bike lanes, riverside paths, and quiet service roads to circle the historic heart of Beijing. The total cycling distance is approximately 32–34 km. The terrain is completely flat, the road surface is well-paved (much of it features distinctive red ceramic-particle cycling lanes marked "bicycle priority"), and the route passes through four districts: Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, and Fengtai.

What makes this ride special is the layering of old and new — you cycle past Ming Dynasty wall ruins, ancient temples, and traditional hutong neighborhoods, while the modern city's skyline of glass towers and flyovers rises around you. The northern moat section is the most scenic (willow-lined riverside paths), while the southern sections connect to major landmarks like the Temple of Heaven and the Ming City Wall Ruins Park.

Route Section 1: North Ring — Deshengmen → Dongzhimen (~8 km)

Start at Deshengmen Gate — one of the four original gates of the Ming Dynasty inner city. The arrow tower is one of the few surviving structures from the Ming city wall system. From here, follow the North Moat (北护城河) eastward. This is widely regarded as the most beautiful section of the entire loop — a tree-lined riverside path with wooden boardwalks, lotus ponds, and the Hefeng Xuan (荷风轩) pavilion. Weeping willows hang over the water, and the ancient waterway feels worlds apart from the ring road traffic just meters away.

Continue east past Andingmen (Stable Gate), through the greenway corridor past the North Second Ring Urban Park — a narrow 2km linear park that recreates 36 traditional Beijing siheyuan (courtyard houses) and preserves 167 ancient trees. Arrive at Yonghe Gate (雍和宫) and the Lama Temple — Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Continue southeast to Dongzhimen Gate.

Highlights

• Deshengmen Arrow Tower — the last surviving Ming Dynasty gate tower on the north wall
• North Moat riverside path — willow-lined, wooden boardwalks, lotus flowers in summer
• North Second Ring Urban Park — traditional courtyard house recreations, 167 ancient trees
• Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) — Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist temple

Route Section 2: East Ring — Dongzhimen → Dongbianmen (~5 km)

From Dongzhimen, ride south along the east side of the 2nd Ring. The route passes through Ritan Park (Altar of the Sun) — a serene park where Ming Dynasty emperors once made offerings to the sun. Continue south past the Beijing Ancient Observatory — one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world, with bronze instruments from the 15th century atop the Ming city wall remnant.

Arrive at the Ming City Wall Ruins Park (明城墙遗址公园) — the longest surviving section of the original Ming city wall, with 1.5 km of 600-year-old brick fortification surrounded by a beautiful park of plum blossom trees. This is one of the most atmospheric spots in Beijing — ancient bricks draped in ivy with the modern CBD skyline visible in the background.

Highlights

• Ritan Park — Ming Dynasty imperial sun altar, quiet and atmospheric
• Beijing Ancient Observatory — 15th-century bronze astronomical instruments on the old city wall
• Ming City Wall Ruins Park — 1.5 km of original Ming wall, plum blossoms in spring

Route Section 3: South Ring — Dongbianmen → Xibianmen (~10 km)

The southern section follows the South Moat (南护城河) — the ancient defensive waterway of the Ming outer city. This section connects a chain of parks along the waterway. Pass the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Park, continue west past the Temple of Heaven (visible from the greenway — the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests rises above the park trees). The Jinzhongdu Park commemorates the Jin Dynasty capital that preceded Beijing on this site 800 years ago.

Continue past Taoranting Park — named after a Tang Dynasty poem ("More patient still in waiting for the chrysanthemums to ripen, I'll share a drink with you"), this park features replicas of famous Chinese pavilions from across the country. The south moat here has wide water surfaces, reed beds, and a peaceful atmosphere despite being in the city center.

Highlights

• Temple of Heaven — visible from the greenway; consider a detour for a visit
• Jinzhongdu Park — 800-year-old Jin Dynasty palace site
• Taoranting Park — famous Chinese pavilion replicas, lotus ponds
• South Moat waterside path — wide water, reeds, willows, local fishermen

Route Section 4: West Ring — Xibianmen → Deshengmen (~9 km)

The western section is the quietest part of the loop — fewer tourists, more tree shade, and a local atmosphere. Start at Xibianmen City Wall Ruins Park, where you can touch the actual Ming Dynasty city wall bricks — one of the last places in Beijing where the original wall fabric is exposed. Continue north along the West Moat, passing the Financial Street green space and Shuncheng Park.

Pass Tianning Temple with its extraordinary 1,000-year-old Liao Dynasty pagoda — the oldest standing structure in Beijing. Continue north past Baiyun Temple (White Cloud Temple), the largest Taoist temple in Beijing. The route then reconnects with the North Moat at Jishuitan (Accumulated Water Lake) — a beautiful lake that feeds into Houhai and the Shichahai system. From here, follow the waterway back to Deshengmen to complete the loop.

Highlights

• Xibianmen City Wall Ruins — touch the 600-year-old Ming Dynasty wall
• Tianning Temple Pagoda — 1,000-year-old Liao Dynasty pagoda, the oldest structure in Beijing
• Baiyun Temple — Beijing's most important Taoist temple, serene atmosphere
• Jishuitan — historic lake connecting to the Shichahai system

Difficulty

Moderate. The terrain is completely flat — Beijing's elevation varies by less than 10 meters within the 2nd Ring. The road surface is excellent throughout, with dedicated red ceramic-particle cycling lanes on major sections. The difficulty is purely from distance (32 km) rather than terrain. This is suitable for cyclists with reasonable fitness who can comfortably ride 2–3 hours. The red-marked cycling priority lanes significantly improve safety and comfort. E-bikes and shared bikes can handle the full route easily. Not recommended for complete beginners who have never ridden more than 15 km.

Best Season to Ride

Best time of day: Early morning (7–9 AM) for the best light and fewest pedestrians on the greenway. Night riding is also popular — the 2nd Ring's lighting system illuminates the moat and bridges, creating a magical atmosphere. The average cycling speed is approximately 10–12 km/h with stops, so plan 2.5–3.5 hours total.

Recommended Gear

• Shared bike (Meituan / Hellobike) or your own city/hybrid bike
• Water bottle (1–2L) — supply points are spaced 1–2 km apart along the greenway
• Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses (north moat section has good tree shade, but south and west sections are more exposed)
• Portable power bank for GPS navigation and photos
• Light rain jacket (Beijing weather can change quickly in summer)
• Comfortable padded shorts if riding the full 32 km on a shared bike saddle
• Cash ¥100–200 for park entry fees and small shops

Food & Supply Stops

• Deshengmen area — cafes and restaurants along Gulou Outer Street, a 5-minute detour north
• Yonghe Temple / Wudaoying Hutong — Wudaoying Hutong is a trendy lane with craft coffee shops, vegan restaurants, and vintage stores — perfect mid-ride stop
• Ritan Park area — embassy district with international restaurants and cafes
• South Moat near Taoranting — local restaurants and the historic Jinyang Restaurant (晋阳饭庄, traditional Shanxi cuisine)
• Xibianmen / Baiyun Temple area — local neighborhood restaurants, less touristy
• Jishuitan / Shichahai area — lakeside cafes, bars, and restaurants near the north-west corner
• Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, Bianlifeng, and local shops appear every 300–500m around the loop

Safety Notes

• ⚠️Road crossings: The greenway crosses major roads at bridge underpasses and signalized intersections. Some crossings require dismounting. Follow the dedicated bicycle traffic signals at major bridges — several have been upgraded with dedicated left-turn signals for cyclists.
• ⚠️Pedestrian sharing: The riverside paths are shared with joggers and walkers, especially on weekends. Ring your bell and slow down near groups. The north bank and south bank paths are more continuous and better maintained — prioritize these.
• ⚠️Daguanyuan Bridge obstruction: Near the southwest corner, the path south of Daguanyuan Bridge may be blocked — plan a detour via the service road. Check locally for current conditions.
• ⚠️Southwest corner narrow section: The path between Xibianmen and the southwest corner can be narrow with many pedestrians — slow down and be prepared to dismount briefly.
• ⚠️Summer heat: June–August temperatures can exceed 35°C. The greenway has sections with limited tree shade. Start before 7 AM or after 5 PM in summer. Carry extra water.
• ⚠️Avoid rush hours: Weekday mornings (7:30–9:30 AM) and evenings (5–7 PM) bring commuter traffic on some shared sections. Mid-morning or weekend mornings are best.

Last verified: August 2026. Route information cross-checked against Beijing Municipal Forestry Bureau greenway data and multiple rider reports.