We had a great time at Shilingxia Gorge (RMB68, opens 7:30am) and the UFO glass platform (RMB40) during a cool sunny day. You can take the 2hr bus journey from Beijing or stay at the many simple village accommodations near the Gorge entrance so that you could start your day early to visit Shilinxia, Jindong Karst Caves and Tianyun mountain (with another glass bridge) all in the vincinity. We decided to trek up along the stream (all paved paths), taking in the beautiful sights along the way. There was a direct stairway route up to the glass platform from the entrance but I imagine it would be quite a torturous climb and missing out a bigger part of the beautiful gorge. We spent about 4 1/2 hours there (leisurely, without cable car). You can choose to take the cable car up (RMB100 each way). However, it would only bring you about 3/4 way up the mountain and one would still need to climb flights of stairs the rest of the way up. Getting there by bus: If you are versed in the Chinese language, you could download the 高德地图 or Baidu map app (Chinese equivalent to Google map, with get clear instructions how to get to your destinations. From Beijing, go to the Dongzhimen subway station and follow the signs to the "bus transfer hall" (Long-Distance BusHub). Take bus 852 (RMB15) to Pinggu district (1hr15m). Alight at Pinggu Hospital or any stop along this road. Then take either bus 25 or 38 to Shilinxia 石林峡 (RMB5, 40min). Buses and routes are all listed on the bus-stops (in Chinese).

Go to the Dongzhimen Bus Depot, it's across the road from the subway station. Take the number 852 bus all the way until it terminates at Ping Gu Qi Che Zhan, about an hour. We took a taxi from there to the resort, another 30 minutes, but I've been told the number 25 bus goes to it, look for 石林峡 on the bus schedules. I'd also suggest checking the pollution levels because if they're high, the visibility will be poor. There are fairground rides for kids and food stalls. The scenery is spectacular. You take a cable car up most of the way then have a very punishing 30 minute walk to the top of the platform. If you're not used to walking or are overweight, you're going to struggle. Looking through the glass would have been more exhilarating had it been clean but, nonetheless, the views are spectacular and I'm sure you'll remember the trip for the rest of your life. As we took a taxi, we didn't know where the bus stop was but, fortunately, when we flagged down the driver, he stopped outside the resort. We went back to Ping Gu Qi Che Zhan then took the 852 to Dongzhimen.