Little Yard Beijing

Like many other travellers, I was simply looking for a decent and affordable place to stay that was within reach of the Great Wall. I was planning on spending one night in the Mutianyu area with the main purpose of going hiking. My plans, however, quickly changed! As soon as I stepped into the courtyard of HY Little Yard, I knew that I was in a special place. The decor and atmosphere of the guesthouse is so charming and quaint, it reminded me of something you might find in Ubud, Bali. The rooms are elegant, very clean, and have all of the amenities that you would need to have a very relaxing stay, whether it's for just one night or one week. The guesthouse provides breakfast and dinner and the kitchen is strictly vegetarian. The food was so unique and delicious and one of the best kept secrets of the guesthouse! All of the ingredients were sourced locally and from their beautiful courtyard garden. It was by far one of the most memorable culinary experiences that I've had thus far in China. The staff at HY Little Yard were so friendly and accommodating and they speak excellent English as well! I was especially grateful for the hospitality of the owner, Sharry, who went out of her way to fill every day with activities, from bike rides, to temples, to dumpling making classes, to visiting a local bee farm! Of course, one of the highlights was visiting the Great Wall. I had originally planned to visit the touristy Mutianyu section of the Wall but was encouraged by the staff to go to the Huanghuacheng section instead which is more wild, a more challenging hike and far less touristy. That was one of the best hikes I have ever done and I saw a total of 5 other people the whole time I was there, approximately 4 hours. The Huanghuacheng section is about 30 km from the guesthouse but it is easily accessible by taxi (Didi) or the guesthouse can arrange a driver for you. This place is also very easy to locate if you are coming straight from Beijing. I took a taxi directly to their front door! There are also two cute dogs, River and Yuan Yuan, that add to the charm of HY Little Yard. They will happily go on hikes with you and guide you around the village. For the most part, the guesthouse is dog-friendly, but if you are planning on taking your dog just contact Sharry in advance to make sure that she can accommodate your furry friend!