At a Glance
Located at the foot of the Great Wall, The Brickyard is a way to see China’s most famous monument in style.
Indagare Loves
- The stunning views from the rooms of the mountains and Great Wall through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows
- Home-made breakfast served in the lodge
- The open-plan showers which also have views of the Wall
Review
Located at the foot of the Great Wall, The Brickyard is a way to see China’s most famous monument in style. The boutique hotel is converted from a former glazed tile factory and sits in Beigou Village (around an hour and a half drive from central Beijing) where locals make a living harvesting pear and apricot trees. Run by American Jim Spear and his Chinese wife Liang Tang – who have both lived in the area for nearly two decades – it is a sleek operation. Facilities include a spa, gym, and outdoor Jacuzzi, plus a free local shuttle to the Wall.
The Brickyard terms itself an eco-resort: the food is sourced locally, most of the lighting is LED, grass slippers are given away to guests as souvenirs, and the majority of the staff are locals from surrounding villages. Best of all, however, are the rooms. They offer dramatic views of the mountains from vast floor-to-ceiling glass windows and shielded private terraces; on a clear day the Wall is visible snaking along the mountain peaks. For meals visitors can either eat at one of Spear’s restaurants (the excellent The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu, which has views of the Wall and serves wholesome Western cuisine, makes a perfect lunch spot) or try home-style Chinese at one of the more basic village eateries. Mutianyu Village, a short drive away, is the main gateway to the Wall with a cable car going up and a toboggan slide back down the monument. The Brickyard offers more adventurous guests a map that marks a secluded mountain path from the hotel directly to the Wall. It is a tough forty-five minute uphill hike but it is a way to experience the lush surrounding countryside while avoiding the hordes of tourists.
Who Should Stay
Travelers who want to stay at the Great Wall and explore local Chinese villages. Not that the hotel is closed all of February.
Written by Indagare