I spent three wonderful days at the Ronghai Guohua Farmhouse in the mountains of Jixian County, Tianjin—a hidden gem that most international travelers don't even know exists. Waking up to the scent of pear blossoms drifting through my window, savoring farm-fresh meals cooked over wood fires, and cracking open wild walnuts that the owners harvest from their own trees—this countryside retreat offered an authentic taste of rural China that no city hotel could ever match. Just a few hours from Beijing, this mountain village delivers peace, natural beauty, and genuine hospitality at prices that seem almost impossible.
Trip Overview
When: Spring (April)
Duration: 3 days
Travelers: With friends
Budget: ~300 RMB (~$42 USD) per person
Location: Daoguyu Village (道古峪村), Xiaying Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin
Best For: Families, nature lovers, those seeking authentic rural China
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
When I first heard about this farmhouse tucked away in the mountains of Jixian County, I had no idea what to expect. My friends and I were looking for an escape from Beijing's endless concrete, something authentic and peaceful. As our car wound its way up the mountain roads toward Daoguyu Village (道古峪村), the scenery transformed—skyscrapers gave way to pear orchards, and the air grew thick with the scent of spring.
Arriving at the Ronghai Guohua Farmhouse, I was immediately struck by how different this was from any hotel I'd stayed at in China. No fancy lobby, no elevator music—just a humble courtyard surrounded by fruit trees and mountains that seemed to stretch forever. The owner, a warm middle-aged couple, greeted us like long-lost relatives rather than paying guests. They led us to our rooms, and I couldn't believe the simplicity and charm of it all.
🎯 Practical Info
Getting There: ~2 hours from Beijing by car; or take train to Jixian then taxi Accommodation: 6 double rooms + 4 triple rooms; total capacity 32 guests Room Rate: ~100 RMB (~$14 USD) per night including meals Facilities: A/C, TV, hot water; basic but clean and comfortable
That first evening, we took a walk through the village as the sun began to set. I was surprised by how quiet it was—just the sound of birds chirping and the occasional bark of a village dog. The surrounding mountains were covered in what looked like white snow from a distance, but up close, I realized it was pear blossoms everywhere. The locals told us this was the best time to visit, when the entire valley becomes a sea of white flowers.
Back at the farmhouse, dinner was served family-style around a large wooden table. The dishes kept coming—farm-fresh vegetables, mountain mushrooms, free-range chicken, and bread rolls steamed in corn husks. Everything tasted like it had been picked that morning, which it probably had. As we ate, the owners told us stories about the village and their family, who had lived here for generations.
Day 2: Exploring Daoguyu and the Surrounding Mountains
I woke up early the next morning to a chorus of birds outside my window. The mountain air was crisp and cool, carrying the sweet fragrance of pear blossoms. After a simple breakfast of freshly made porridge and homemade pickles, we set out to explore the area.
A local elder told us about the village's reputation: "The mountains have eight thousand acres, with hundreds of peaks and dozens of valleys. Ancient stone waterfalls, mountain peach blossoms everywhere, thousand-year-old walnut trees with new branches sprouting..." As we hiked up the trails behind the village, I understood what he meant. The landscape was breathtaking—steep valleys, ancient rock formations, and yes, those famous walnut trees everywhere.
What struck me most was the sense of timelessness. We passed farmers working their plots just as their ancestors had done for centuries. We saw old pear trees that must have been a hundred years old, still producing abundant fruit. The village's ancient walnut trees (核桃楸 / Hétɑoqiū) are famous throughout the region—these are wild mountain walnuts, smaller than the cultivated kind but packed with flavor and nutrition.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Spring (April): Pear blossoms in full bloom—entire mountains covered in white Summer: Cool mountain retreat, perfect for escaping city heat Autumn: Harvest season—walnuts, apples, pears, chestnuts Winter: Snow-covered mountains, peaceful solitude
In the afternoon, we followed a stream up into one of the valleys. The water was crystal clear and ice-cold, fed by mountain springs. We found a flat rock by the stream and sat there for what felt like hours, just listening to the water and watching butterflies dance among the wildflowers. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt so completely relaxed.
By late afternoon, we made our way back to the farmhouse, exhausted but exhilarated. The owners had prepared a special dinner for us—free-range chicken stewed with wild mushrooms and mountain herbs. They explained that all their chickens roam freely on the hillside, eating insects and wild plants, which gives the meat a flavor you simply can't find in city supermarkets.
After dinner, we sat outside under a sky full of stars—something I rarely see in Beijing. The owners brought out a basket of freshly harvested walnuts, still in their green husks, and showed us how to crack them open. The nut meat was surprisingly tender and sweet, nothing like the dried walnuts you buy in stores. They told us walnuts are considered brain food in Chinese tradition, rich in vitamin E and amino acids.
Where We Stayed: Room Tour
The farmhouse can accommodate up to 32 guests across ten rooms—six doubles and four triples. I stayed in one of the triple rooms with my friends, and while basic, everything was spotlessly clean and comfortable.
Each room comes with air conditioning, a TV, and 24-hour hot water—more than enough for a mountain retreat. What I appreciated most was the attention to cleanliness: fresh linens for every guest, spotless bathrooms, and daily tidying. The beds were firm but comfortable, typical of Chinese countryside accommodations.
🏠 Accommodation Details
Room Types: 6 double rooms + 4 triple rooms Total Capacity: 32 guests Amenities: A/C, TV, hot water, WiFi Linens: Changed for every guest Price: ~100 RMB (~$14 USD) per night including all meals
The best part of staying here wasn't the rooms themselves—it was the hospitality. The owners treated us like family, checking if we were warm enough at night, making sure we had enough blankets, and always having hot water ready for tea.
Culinary Discoveries: Farm-to-Table Mountain Cuisine
If you're a foodie like me, this farmhouse stay will be a revelation. Every single meal was a celebration of local, seasonal ingredients prepared with simple, traditional methods. The owners grow most of their own vegetables and raise their own poultry—everything is as fresh as it gets.
Breakfast typically included congee (rice porridge), steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and sometimes freshly made pancakes. Simple but hearty, perfect fuel for a day of hiking. But the real magic happened at lunch and dinner.
Over our three days, we sampled an incredible variety of dishes: stir-fried free-range eggs with mountain chives, wild vegetable dumplings, cornmeal cakes steamed in leaves, crispy fried mountain herbs, slow-cooked chicken with mushrooms, pork braised with sweet potato noodles, handmade flatbreads, millet porridge, and the famous "one-pot feast" (一锅出 / Yī guō chū) where bread, meat, and vegetables are all cooked together in a single large wok over a wood fire.
What amazed me was how every meal was different. The owners told us they never repeat dishes for the same guests, showcasing the full range of mountain cuisine. Every ingredient comes from their own farm or the surrounding mountains—organic, seasonal, and absolutely delicious.
The highlight for me was the free-range chicken (散养土鸡 / Sàn yǎng tǔ jī). These birds roam freely on the hillside, foraging for insects and wild plants. The meat is firmer and more flavorful than factory-farmed chicken, with a golden color that speaks to their natural diet. Stewed slowly with wild mushrooms, it was hands-down the best chicken I've ever tasted in China.
And then there were the walnuts—these aren't just any walnuts, but wild mountain walnuts harvested from ancient trees that grow throughout the region. The owners cracked them open for us after dinner, and I was amazed by how different they tasted from store-bought walnuts—sweeter, more tender, with a subtle flavor that comes from the mountain soil. In traditional Chinese medicine, walnuts are believed to strengthen the brain and promote healthy hair. All I know is, I couldn't stop eating them!
🍽️ Must-Try Dishes
Free-range chicken stew (小鸡炖蘑菇): Local chicken with wild mushrooms One-pot feast (一锅出): Bread, meat & vegetables cooked together Stir-fried mountain herbs (炸花椒芽): Crispy seasonal greens Walnut snacks: Fresh mountain walnuts harvested from local trees Cornmeal cakes: Traditional mountain staple, hearty and filling Wild vegetable dumplings: Seasonal greens in handmade wrappers
The Farmhouse Experience: Why I Recommend It
What makes this farmhouse special isn't luxury—it's authenticity. The owners are genuinely warm people who treat guests like family. There's no pretense here, no tourist facade. Just honest hospitality, incredible food, and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery I've seen near Beijing.
The farmhouse is particularly well-suited for families with children. Kids can run around the courtyard, help feed the chickens, explore the orchard, and learn about where food really comes from. The owners told us many families come back year after year, often bringing grandparents for a multi-generational retreat.
If you're looking for a genuine taste of rural China, away from the tourist crowds and luxury resorts, this is it. You'll eat better than at any restaurant in Beijing, breathe cleaner air than you thought possible, and experience a slower, simpler way of life that feels increasingly rare in modern China.
Day 3: Final Morning and Departure
On our final morning, I woke up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains. The pear blossoms glowed pink in the early light, and the valley was silent except for the distant crow of a rooster. I sat on the farmhouse steps with a cup of tea the owners had prepared, savoring these last quiet moments.
Breakfast was another feast—fresh eggs from their chickens, steamed buns filled with wild vegetable stuffing, and warm soy milk. The owners packed us some walnuts and dried fruit for the road, refusing to take any extra payment. "You're family now," the wife said, pressing the bag into my hands.
As we drove away, winding back down through the mountain passes, I felt a genuine sadness to leave. In just three days, this simple farmhouse had become a place I knew I would return to. The combination of natural beauty, incredible food, and genuine human connection is rare to find—and impossible to forget.
Quick Reference Guide
How to Get There
From Beijing: ~2 hours by car via Jingping Expressway By Train: Take train to Jixian Railway Station, then taxi (~40 minutes) By Bus: Beijing to Jixian bus, then local taxi to Daoguyu Village
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April): Pear blossoms in full bloom—absolutely spectacular Summer: Cool mountain retreat, perfect for escaping city heat Autumn: Harvest season—apples, pears, walnuts, chestnuts Winter: Snow-covered mountains, fewer tourists, cozy farmhouse atmosphere
What to Bring
Comfortable hiking shoes for mountain trails Warm clothes (mountains are cooler than the city) Cash (farmhouses don't always accept cards) Toiletries and personal items (basic accommodation) Insect repellent (especially in summer)
Nearby Attractions
Limutai Scenic Area (梨木台): Famous mountain park with hiking trails Panshan Mountain: One of Tianjin's most famous mountains Dule Temple: Ancient Buddhist temple with unique architecture Huangyaguan Great Wall: Less touristy section of the Great Wall
💡 Pro Tips
Book in advance, especially during peak seasons (spring blossoms, autumn harvest) Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases—the owners speak limited English Bring small gifts (fruit, tea) as a gesture of appreciation Respect local customs and the peaceful environment If you have dietary restrictions, communicate them clearly in advance
Final Thoughts
This farmhouse stay in Daoguyu Village offered something I didn't realize I was missing: a genuine connection to rural China and its traditions. In an era of luxury hotels and tourist traps, places like this remind us that the best travel experiences often come from simplicity, authenticity, and human connection.
If you're visiting Beijing and want to escape the city for a few days, I can't recommend this highly enough. The mountains are beautiful, the food is incredible, and the hospitality will touch your heart. Just don't blame me if you find yourself planning your return trip before you've even left.
Have you stayed at a Chinese farmhouse (nongjiale) before? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below!